Policy on the Licensing of Ex-Offenders

Policy Statement

1. Passenger Transport Licensing Division complies fully with the Code of Practice, issued by the Department of Justice, in connection with the use of information provided to registered persons,and other recipients of information by AccessNI under Part V of the Police Act 1997, for the purposes of assessing Applicant’s suitability for granting a taxi driver licence  We undertake to treat all applicants for licences fairly and not to discriminate unfairly or unlawfully against the subject of a Disclosure on the basis of conviction or other information revealed.
2. Passenger Transport Licensing Division are committed to equality of opportunity to following practices, and to providing a service which is free from unfair and unlawful discrimination. We ensure that no applicant is subject to less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, marital status, race colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, age, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, physical or mental disability political opinion or offending background, or is disadvantaged by any condition which cannot be shown to be relevant to licensing.
3. Passenger Transport Licensing Division actively promotes equality of opportunity for all including those with criminal records. The grant of licences will be based on those who meet the required standard of skills, qualifications and experience as specified in the Taxi Act NI 2008.
4. We will request an Access NI Disclosure (Enhanced Disclosure Certificate for all taxi driver licence application to be satisfied that the applicant is a “fit and proper person” as defined in the Taxi Act NI 2008 and in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975). All taxi driver applicants are made aware prior to application that that the position will be subject to a Disclosure and that Passenger Transport Licensing Division will request the individual being offered the position to undergo an appropriate AccessNI Disclosure check
5. In line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 (as amended in 2014), Passenger Transport Licensing Division  will only ask about convictions which are defined as “not protected” for the purposes of obtaining an Enhanced disclosure.
6. We undertake to ensure an open and measured and recorded discussion on the subject of any offences or other matters that might be considered relevant for the position concerned. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to revocation of a taxi driver licence.
7. Passenger Transport Licensing Division may consider discussing any matter revealed in a Disclosure Certificate. 
8. We ensure that all those in Passenger Transport Licensing Division who are involved in the recruitment process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of Disclosure information. We also ensure that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to employment of ex-offenders (e.g. the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978).
9. We undertake to make every subject of an AccessNI Disclosure aware of the existence of the Code of Practice, and to make a copy available on request.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily debar you from obtaining a Taxi Driver Licence. This will depend on the circumstances and background of your offences or other information contained on a disclosure certificate.