Every TfL private hire driver applicant must hold a current Enhanced DBS check. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is the most thorough criminal record check available and reflects how seriously the licensing system takes passenger safety.
What an Enhanced DBS shows
- Spent and unspent convictions.
- Cautions, reprimands and warnings.
- Information held by local police that they consider relevant.
- Whether you are barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Processing times
Most checks complete within 4–8 weeks but can take longer if the applicant has lived at multiple addresses or in multiple police force areas. Apply early in your licensing journey to avoid bottlenecks.
The Update Service
For a small annual fee you can subscribe to the DBS Update Service. This lets TfL re-check your status online instantly, instead of starting a new full check every time. Most professional drivers find it worth the cost.
Past convictions
A conviction does not automatically bar you. TfL applies a published policy that weighs the offence, how long ago it was, and the role you'll perform. Serious offences — sexual offences, serious violence, fraud, certain drug offences — usually result in refusal. Be honest in your application; concealment is grounds for revocation later.
What to do if your check returns a flag
You'll receive your certificate first. Check it carefully and dispute any errors with the DBS within the published window. Submit your certificate plus a written context statement to TfL — explaining the circumstances, what you have learned and what you have done since.
Keeping clean while licensed
Notify TfL of any new caution, charge, conviction or arrest within the required period. Failure to disclose is taken as seriously as the underlying offence and is a frequent reason licences are revoked.
Practise the rules
Take the DBS & licensing rules quiz and pair with safeguarding awareness. Related reading: safeguarding awareness for private hire drivers.
Disclaimer: UK Test Hub is independent and not affiliated with TfL or the DBS.
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Start mock test 1Quick study plan
If you only have a fortnight to prepare, split your time into three blocks. Spend the first few days reading any official handbook or syllabus straight through — don't try to memorise yet, the goal is familiarity. Move on to topic-by-topic revision, focusing on the areas you found least intuitive on the first read. In the final week, switch to timed mock tests under exam conditions; mark every paper ruthlessly and read every explanation, including for questions you got right by guessing. Most candidates improve by 8–12 marks between their first and third mock simply by closing knowledge gaps this way.
Common myths to ignore
Three myths trip up more candidates than any single topic. The first is that "if I sit enough mocks, I'll spot the real questions on test day" — modern UK exam banks contain hundreds of items and the question you see on the day will probably be brand new to you. The second is that you can cram the night before; most assessments reward calm focus more than recent recall, and tired candidates make basic mistakes. The third is that the pass mark is the only thing that matters: aiming for a comfortable buffer of 5–10 marks above the threshold is the single best insurance against an unlucky paper.
What to do on test day
Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes early with valid photo ID — usually a UK driving licence or passport — and any booking confirmation you've been emailed. Eat something light beforehand, drink water but not so much that you'll need a comfort break mid-paper, and silence your phone before you walk through the door. Read every question twice, flag anything you're unsure of, and never leave a blank — there's no negative marking on the assessments most readers of this site sit, so a considered guess is always better than no answer at all.
