Upcoming Changes to DBS Check Fees Effective from 2nd December 2024
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has announced upcoming changes to the fees for DBS checks and the DBS Update Service, effective from 2nd December 2024 (pending parliamentary approval on 4th November 2024). While we don't anticipate any objections to the proposal, we wanted to share this information with you in advance so you can plan accordingly.
Important Note: These fee increases are completely out of our control. While the government-set fees are going up, we want to reassure you that TaxiPlus administration fees are staying exactly the same. In fact, we haven't changed our admin fees in over 10 years, and there are no plans to change them now.
Details of the Proposed Fee Changes
From 2nd December 2024, the DBS fees will be as follows:
Enhanced DBS Check: Increasing from £38 to £49.50 (an increase of £11.50)
DBS Update Service: Increasing from £13 to £16 (an increase of £3.00)
Basic DBS Check: Increasing from £18 to £21.50 (an increase of £3.50)
These changes will be automatically reflected in the TaxiPlus system.
Why Are the DBS Fees Changing?
DBS fees are renewed annually to ensure that the DBS are recovering the full cost involved of running a check, as well as providing good value to the customer. Over the past few years, the DBS have actually reduced their fees on two separate occasions.
However, the most recent review revealed that the huge growth in demand for DBS Checks now necessitates a massive investment in improving their resources and infrastructure. This will be mainly seen in modernizing and replacing legacy IT platforms.
Impact on You and Your Drivers
We understand that any price increase can be challenging, especially for drivers. We truly appreciate the hard work they do and want to help them plan ahead to avoid unnecessary costs where possible.
Encourage your drivers to apply for their DBS checks and register for the Update Service before 2nd December 2024. Doing so will help them avoid the price increase and save £14.50 on the combined cost of the Enhanced DBS check and the Update Service.
Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions or need help:
Phone: 01254 355679
Website: www.taxiplus.co.uk
We value your partnership and are here to help you navigate these upcoming changes smoothly. By acting now, you and your drivers can minimize the impact of the fee increases.
We'll keep you updated on any further developments regarding the DBS fee changes. Be sure to check back for the latest information after the proposal is reviewed by Parliament on 4th November 2024.