New Filtering Guidance and Manual DBS Certificates: What you need to know as a driver

As a taxi or private hire driver, it is mandatory for you to complete an Enhanced DBS check. As part of this, you are issued with a paper DBS certificate containing your criminal record history, if any.  

Normally, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) systems can automatically generate a printable version of the certificate. This auto-generated certificate would then be sent through to our system, updating us with the confirmed result.  

Due to recent filtering changes, this is no longer possible for some candidates. The new guidance basically makes it illegal for the DBS to disclose certain convictions on a certificate. The current system for generating the certificates cannot yet account for this.  

If all certificates were produced in the usual way, some would be in breach of the new filtering rules. This would mean displaying criminal offences which should not be there and may unfairly hinder your license application.

To prevent this, a small number of individuals (around 1%) DBS certificates are now needed to be produced manually. This will mean any convictions that shouldn’t be showing on a certificate won’t be shown.

What does this mean?

In terms of the DBS certificate, not much has changed. Drivers are still posted their DBS certificate once the check has been completed. This contains evidence of any criminal record information appropriate to be disclosed, based on the level of check applied for.  

However, for manually produced certificates, notifications aren’t sent directly through to our system when the check is complete. We are still notified by the DBS, but it is a slower process. We are also required to manually contact the licensing manager associated with any of these types of DBS certificates.  

This does mean there is a distinct possibility that you, the driver, may receive your DBS certificate before we have notified you that it is complete. However, as this only affects 1% of all electronic submission it is not likely to be a common issue.  

When tracking applications of this type they may appear as withdrawn by the DBS on their tracking website. If this is the case, please don’t worry! This is because the DBS system cannot provide the correct info regarding manual certificates straightaway. The DBS currently must update this information manually so there can be delays.  

Currently, manually issued DBS certificates cannot be used to sign up for the DBS Update Service. The Disclosure and Barring Service and Department for Transport are aware of this and are working together to produce guidance for these situations.  

At the moment, if you are the recipient of a manually-issued certificate, we recommend contacting your licensing authority directly to discuss your options. The letter you receive with your DBS Certificate should explain whether you have received a manually-generated certificate.

How long will this last?

The DBS are working on a technical solution to avoid issuing manual certificates but are not able to supply a timescale. This issue has arisen because legislation is changing faster than the technology supporting it. The DBS have expressed their desire to rectify the situation as soon as possible and we will endeavour to keep our customers updated as well.  

As and when we’re made aware of a solution for drivers, we will communicate that across our social channels. To make sure you’re up to date with the latest news, be sure to follow us on social media