London taxi drivers urged to stay on top of DBS payments to avoid disruptions and added expense
Taxi drivers relying on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) update system are being warned to keep their payment details up to date or risk having to reapply from scratch.
Lloyd Baldwin, Executive Senior Officer at the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), has raised concerns that some drivers mistakenly believe they are setting up a standing order when making their initial £16 payment. In reality, the payment is taken annually from the same card, but it does not automatically renew if the card has expired or changed.
The DBS sends an email reminder about a month before payment is due, notifying drivers if their registered card is no longer valid. If this is missed and the payment fails, drivers will be removed from the system and will need to submit a new application. This process can lead to delays, additional costs, and potential disruptions to their ability to work.
The DBS update service allows drivers to remain continuously vetted without needing to apply for a new check each time they renew their licence. However, without an active subscription, their status lapses, and licensing authorities may require a fresh check before allowing them to continue working.
Baldwin said in TAXI Newspaper: “One thing that I am realising seems not to be common knowledge is that when you set up the original payment of £16 (with either a credit or debit card) you are NOT setting up a standing order. Some cabbies are under the impression that they are but in fact you are basically setting up a yearly payment to be taken from that card.
“If that card you use is due to or has expired, then a month or so before payment is due the DBS will send you an email informing you that the card has expired and they cannot take the £16. They then direct you to go on their website and update your card details.
“If for some reason you miss that email and the payment isn’t made, then you will have to do another DBS application and start again. Something to keep an eye on as it could end up costing you more time and money.“
