TfL highlights taxi and private hire licensing NR3S tool strengths and weaknesses in evidence submission
- Perry Richardson
- Sep 27
- 2 min read
Transport for London (TfL) has given cautious support to the National Register of Licence Revocations and Refusals (NR3S), describing it as a useful but limited tool in preventing drivers removed by one authority from working elsewhere.
The register is designed to flag drivers whose licences have been revoked, suspended or refused, helping other licensing bodies make more informed decisions.
In its written evidence to Parliament, TfL confirmed that it regularly checks the register during application reviews, with around 1,000 to 1,500 searches conducted weekly. The system helps identify drivers who have been subject to enforcement action elsewhere, offering a national safety net against licence shopping. However, TfL said the system’s impact is restricted by the narrow scope of information available.
TfL pointed out that while NR3S covers driver revocations and refusals, it does not capture private hire operator licensing decisions. That means a private hire business refused a licence by one council could potentially apply to another authority without any shared record of past concerns. TfL argued that including operator data in the system would strengthen enforcement and improve decision-making.
The process of checking the register is currently manual. TfL suggested that automation, such as direct integration with licensing systems through an API, would improve efficiency and reduce delays. This would be especially useful in London, where application volumes remain high.
While NR3S plays an important role, TfL made it clear that it cannot address deeper structural problems in the licensing system. For example, if a driver has a licence suspended for ongoing investigation, that action may not appear on the register if it was not a final decision. Under current legal interpretation, interim suspensions are rarely permitted, limiting the value of NR3S in fast-moving or complex enforcement cases.
The authority also reiterated its position that enforcement gaps caused by cross-border hiring are not solved by NR3S. If a driver is licensed in an area with limited standards or oversight, they can still operate in other regions without meeting the local requirements of the areas in which they work. In this context, the existence of a register does not prevent systemic risk.
TfL said that while it will continue to use the national register as part of its licensing checks, the Government must look at expanding its coverage and supporting its use through better technology. Additional data sharing between authorities, and more flexibility in suspension powers, are also needed if the sector is to have a reliable and consistent licensing framework.
