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i am interested in becoming a private hire taxi driver, i am aware that a crb check will be done as part of the deciding if you are issued a license. I have a criminal record from 10 years back when in my youth i had a drugs convition and petty theft. would this cause a problem for me when applying for my taxi license when the checks are done?
many thanks

LUCKY.HAVE YOU HAD A REPLY REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION,LET US KNOW

I too have a criminal record with drugs charges, I have heard about people being given a liscence with other charges but does anyone know if I will be ok with drugs charges?

Read through your application pack carefully. Each council has their own 'acceptable' criteria (although I believe they have to meet certain minimums set by central government).
If in doubt, give them a ring. Generally speaking, they will consider your application based on its merits.

For example, in Torbay they will consider an application, if the applicant has previous for DUI (the applicant would have had a clean driving license for 5 years before the application) - I think, anyway (don't quote me on it).

Make the application anyway, the worst they will do is deny you. If its 10 years ago then the odds are they'll say 'it was a long time ago', although it depends on your council's view on drugs.

Whatever you do - DO NOT omit information from your application. It will bite you in the ass. I mistakenly ticked a box I shouldn't have on my application, saying I'd never been convicted of a driving offence (I read it as, do you have a current conviction, or something). I took my CRB to the test and the licensors face went red with rage.

Have a word with your licensing Inspector at the Council.
Do this before spending £36 or whatever on the check.
I only started in JLY 09 with no prior experience of the trade.
The local Licensing department at my council (WELLINGBOROUGH)were
really helpful. At the end of the day, they are best placed to know what is acceptable to that authority.
Hope this helps
Good Luck

Posted By lucky on 16/09/2009 06:21 PM
i am interested in becoming a private hire taxi driver, i am aware that a crb check will be done as part of the deciding if you are issued a license. I have a criminal record from 10 years back when in my youth i had a drugs convition and petty theft. would this cause a problem for me when applying for my taxi license when the checks are done?
many thanks

Hopefully you have had your licence approved by now!

For your future reference, the relevance of a CRB check by local authorities is condidered (if any offences are disclosed upon it) against the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The important thing to remember is that it is the outcome, ie the penalty given, at the court hearing that is important. This penalty has a 'life period' under which is may be considered by the local authority to determine you as a 'fit and proper person', which is the lawful determination they must consider (and a vague one at that!).

So for example, if you were sent to prison as an outcome of the court hearing - for a sentence of upto 6 months - your 'rehabilitation period' is 7 years from the date of sentencing. This would be halved if you were aged under 18 at the time of sentencing, ie 3 & 1/2 years.

This is a complicated piece of legislation that they have to apply and if you feel that a licensing panel maybe considering your application because you are still under a rehab. period, it maybe worth obtaining a court transcript from your court date....you simply apply to the court you attended and pay a small fee, but will allow them to see for themselves when considering your application.
Hope this helps