CRB FAQs
What do I do about a CRB check if I’ve lived abroad?
All applicants for the PCO-Licence need to do the Enhanced CRB check (except those people meeting the exemptions rules) regardless of how long they have been living in the UK. However, you will have to list all your addresses for the past 5 years.
If you have stated on your application form that you have lived in a country other than the UK for one or more continuous periods of 3 months or more within the last 3 years, you will need to provide the following information on an additional form TPH/205:
• The date that the period of living and working abroad began and ended
• The full address (in as full a format as possible) where you were living
• The name of your employer (if applicable)
• The employers telephone number (if available)
• Details of any convictions gained as a result of offences committed during this period
• Do not include periods of extended holiday/vacation.
Those applicants who complete form TPH/205, confirming that they have lived in a country other than the UK for one or more periods of three months or more, within the last three years, will be required to produce a Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the relevant non-UK country. A ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is an extract from the judicial record or an equivalent document issued by a competent judicial or administrative authority in the relevant country.
In order to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct and for up to date information on any costs involved, you should contact the Embassy or High Commission of the country in question.
A translation will be required if it is not provided in English.
Failure to provide a certificate may prevent an application being considered. Failure to provide such information, without good reason, will be taken into account when a decision is made. Transport for London (TfL) will consider each individual case on its own merits, having regard to the need to protect the safety of the travelling public and whether the applicant has demonstrated that they are a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a licence.
What if I have a criminal record?
Having a criminal record doesn’t instantly disqualify you from getting licensed but if you do have any previous convictions then they will be assessed on a case by case basis using the following criteria:
- Nature of the offence(s)
- Circumstances in which any offence was committed
- Circumstances of the individual concerned
- Subsequent periods of good behaviour
- Overall conviction history
- Sentence imposed by the court
- The applicant’s history as an “existing private hire driver” (if any)
- Any other character check considered reasonable (e.g. personal references)
Please note that sexual and violent offences will most definitely rule you out completely of getting your PCO Licence although it is still possible to have a drink-driving charge but still be eligible to get a PCO Licence.
I have already had a CRB Check, do I need a new one?
You may have obtained a DBS (CRB) Check as part of the recruitment process for another job and may wish to provide this to the TfL with you application. TfL will accept a DBS (CRB) certificate issued as part of an application for another job provided:
- it is an enhanced DBS (CRB) check, and
- It has been issued in the past 3 months
If you do not satisfy both of these conditions, you need conduct a new DBS (CRB) Check.
What if I have points on my driving licence?
If you have points on your licence, it will not necessarily stop you from applying and getting your PCO licence as it depends on what the conviction was for, the sentence imposed and how long ago it was. There are no guidelines provided by the TfL on this point so in case of doubt, it is best to contact them directly ahead of submitting your application.
Need help with completing your DBS (CRB)?
If you need any further help and support with your CRB application please give us a calland we can help you with the application process.
To contact the TPH CRB administration team directly, call them on 0845 251 5000 between 8.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday with a 24-hour messaging service or email tphcrb@tmgcrb.co.uk
TPH @ TMG CRB
1 Wilford Business Park
Ruddington Lane
Nottingham
NG11 7EP