Isle of Wight taxi drivers have to sign up for more frequent criminal record checks — and there is a crackdown on those who have not yet done so.
When people first apply for a taxi licence from the Isle of Wight council, or any licensing authority, they have to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which checks a person’s criminal record.
All existing and new drivers
Now under a new requirement, all existing and new drivers have to sign up to the DBS Update Service.
This means the council’s licensing service must undertake at least twice-yearly checks to ensure its records are up to date.
Enforcement underway
Several drivers have yet to sign up for the service, the council said, and it is undertaking enforcement action to ensure they do.
If the drivers do not sign up, they risk having their taxi licences suspended.
The council has said it is regularly reviewing progress as drivers sign up.
Conditions of licence
As part of the conditions of holding a Hackney Carriage licence, drivers are required to inform the council within seven days if they have any conviction or caution imposed on them during their licence period.
All licensed taxi drivers do have a current DBS certificate, the council has confirmed.
Home-to-school taxis
Home-to-school taxi transport has not been affected.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
