New government guidance sets framework for police and taxi licensing data sharing
- Perry Richardson
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
A new government publication has outlined how police forces and local taxi licensing authorities should share information to strengthen public safety across England.
The guidance, issued jointly by the Department for Transport, Home Office and Disclosure and Barring Service, highlights how better cooperation between councils, the police and licensing bodies can prevent unsuitable individuals from working as taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers.
The document sets out clear expectations for how data should be exchanged between police forces and licensing authorities. It explains that licensing decisions operate on a “balance of probability” test, meaning councils can suspend or revoke a driver’s licence even when criminal charges are not proven beyond reasonable doubt. This allows faster action where safeguarding or public protection issues arise.
Police, meanwhile, are reminded of their powers under Common Law Police Disclosure (CLPD), which permit the release of relevant information to a licensing authority where there is a “pressing social need”. This could apply in urgent safeguarding cases or serious motoring incidents.
The guidance includes case studies showing how shared intelligence has led to drivers being suspended or prosecuted following traffic collisions, drug offences and child exploitation investigations. It also notes that without such collaboration, licensing authorities may miss key information that affects a driver’s suitability to continue working.
Since April 2023, all councils in England have been required to use the National Register for Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions (NR3S). The register prevents drivers who have lost a licence in one area for safety or safeguarding reasons from obtaining a new one elsewhere. The latest guidance reinforces the need for all authorities to use this system consistently.
Local authorities are also urged to maintain close operational ties with their police counterparts through regular meetings and joint enforcement exercises. The Department for Transport’s statutory taxi and PHV standards recommend that councils report back to police on any enforcement outcomes arising from shared information, helping both sides improve future practice.
The document clarifies that only the licensing authority that issued a licence can suspend or revoke it. This remains a challenge in cases where drivers are licensed by distant councils but work in other areas, making effective communication essential.
The guidance also covers the use of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to check drivers’ backgrounds. All taxi and PHV applicants should undergo enhanced DBS checks, including barred list checks, with ongoing monitoring via the DBS update service every six months. Councils are advised not to issue or renew licences for anyone appearing on the barred lists.
