Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check every 6 months.

If you have signed up to the update service (the update service is where you can register your application or certificate for an annual fee of £13 and we can check the details online) we will check your current certificate online.

If you haven’t signed up to the update service we suggest that you do this so you don’t have to apply for a new certificate for each check DBS Update Service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note that you will need to provide your DBS certificate when it is checked online.

We will contact you when a check is required.

 

Language proficiency assessment for new applicants (not renewals).

 

New and renewal applications will be issued for 3 years.

Hackney Carriages

 

Removal of the 5 year age limit for hackney carriage vehicles. Introduction of requirement for new vehicles to comply with the current EURO standard (EURO 6).

Existing licensed vehicles will still be renewed as long as they are continually licensed i.e. you submit an application to renew the licence before it expires.

 

Change to at least 25% of hackney carriage vehicles to be wheelchair accessible. We can currently accept vehicles which are not wheelchair accessible.

 

 

Private Hire Vehicles

 

Introduction of requirement for new private hire vehicles to comply with the current EURO standard (EURO 6).

Existing licensed vehicles will still be renewed as long as they are continually licensed i.e. you submit an application to renew the licence before it expires.

 

If you require a plate exemption for your vehicle you will need to complete an application from (there is no additional fee for this).

All vehicles

 

Removal of the requirement for interim MOTs and introduction of requirement for 2 vehicle tests at Lufton for vehicles over 5 years old. The additional date for your Lufton test will be on the licence and we will remind you about the additional test and will ask you to contact us to book it.

 

If the applicant for a vehicle licence isn’t an SSDC licensed hackney carriage or private hire driver they will need to provide a basic disclosure with the application.

 The disclosure must not be more than 3 months old at the time it is provided with the application. Request a basic DBS check - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Private Hire Operator applicants that are SSDC private hire or hackney carriage drivers will need to provide a basic disclosure with the application.

 The disclosure must not be more than 3 months old at the time it is provided with the application. Request a basic DBS check - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Changes to conditions, which include – requirement to have a policy to do with the recruitment of ex-offenders, keep a register of staff, each member of staff responsible for booking and dispatching vehicles must have a basic DBS check.

 

Question: I had a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check less than 3 years ago, do I need to have another check carried out now (and every 6 months)?

Answer: Yes. We will request a DBS check every 6 months, or check online via the update service every 6 months. If you are not registered with the update service we recommend that you register your next DBS certificate. You can find more information here: DBS Update Service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We will contact you when your next check is due. 

Please keep a copy of the certificate that is registered with the update service.

Question: My current vehicle licence says when I need to have interim MOTs carried out, when will you let me know about requiring an additional test at Lufton? 

Answer: The conditions and expiry date on your current vehicle licence will remain as they are. When the vehicle licence is renewed there will be information on the licence about the additional test at Lufton. We will also remind you about the interim test at Lufton. 

Question: What is the cost of the additional test at Lufton? 

Answer: The fee is £58. The fee is payable when the second test is booked.