TfL launches new NR3 national refusals database to help weed out taxi criminals

Transport for London has introduced a new national refusals database, known as NR3, as part of its taxi and private hire driver licensing process.

The NR3 database allows councils and licensing authorities to record details of when a taxi or PHV driver application has been refused or a licence revoked by other local authorities, stopping drivers who have been refused a licence in one area from applying in another.

The NR3 database will provide details of all taxi and private hire driver licence revocation and refusal decisions taken from January 1, 2018. From Monday 23 August, any subsequent licensing decisions to refuse an application or revoke a licence are being added to the NR3 database on a weekly basis.

In a notice sent to drivers, Graham Robinson, TfL general manager, taxi and private hire, said: “We already require taxi and private hire driver applicants to disclose if they have had an application for a licence refused, or a licence revoked or suspended by any other licensing authority. We will use the NR3 database to ensure the information provided by applicants is accurate.”

He continued: “If a refused application or revoked licence is disclosed, or identified via the NR3 database, we will contact the relevant licensing authority to establish the circumstances, as this information is not available via the NR3 database. The relevance of the reason for refusing/revoking a licence will be considered.

“If we receive information about an applicant or licence holder that they did not disclose during the application process, we would also consider if this calls into question if the person is ‘fit and proper’ to hold a licence.”

Licence refusals and revocations will be registered on NR3. While there might be a number of reasons why TfL would refuse or revoke a driver’s licence, it is often a result of complaints or criminal history.

Last July, the Department for Transport published new statutory standards for taxi and private hire licensing. This included advice for councils and licensing authorities on the use of the NR3 database to enhance effective due diligence when making licensing decisions. Primary reasons for refusals or revocations are likely to be complaints or criminal history. These could be: u Any conviction for a major violent offence (murder, manslaughter, etc.) u More than one conviction of any type of violent offence in the past 10 years u Serving of a custodial sentence, even if the applicant has been released early on licence or the sentence was suspended u Convicted, cautioned or subjected to any other penalty for a serious sexual offence (rape, indecent assault, possession of indecent images etc) u Convicted, cautioned or subjected to any other penalty for more than one sexual offence of any type, irrespective of age u Listed on either the Children’s or

Adults’ barred list u Convicted, cautioned or subjected to any other penalty for touting in the past 12 months or have more than one penalty for touting in the past five years.

TfL has stated that this list is not exhaustive and they may, on a case by case basis, refuse application on other grounds not listed above.

Rising ULEZ and C-Charges are impossible for PHV drivers to cover, says GMB’s Garelick

Steve Garelick, regional officer in London for the GMB Union

The GMB Union says private hire drivers are losing business due to rising costs of the Congestion Charge and the ULEZ fees.

Private hire drivers in London are facing costs of £27.50 a day due to an increase of Congestion Charge fees and the ULEZ, which is now being extended out to the North and South Circular roads

Steve Garelick, regional officer in London for the GMB Union, said while the price increases have been in place since June 2020, passengers will only have started noticing the difficulty when trying to book a car as now more people are leaving their homes and socialising as a result of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

If a private hire driver wants to take a passenger from the outskirts of the capital into central London, they currently have to pay £15 for the congestion charge and an additional £12.50 for the ULEZ charge if their vehicle does not meet the latest emissions standards.

Garelick told the PA news agency: “Drivers are faced with the charge and have to find a way to recover that cost. It’s just not possible. Even when you’ve got Uber adding £1.50 on to a fare for passengers to help combat the cost, drivers still have to do 10 journeys to recover the £15. “The drop in jobs is a combination of rising costs, not being able to get a battery-powered electric vehicle, the fact that passenger fares are not as they should be and commissions. It’s the perfect storm.”

Garelick continued: “I think TfL put others ahead of drivers because drivers are an easy target as you can track them. But it’s not just London – the price of such journeys are a luxury and the cost will increase across the country as these charges start to apply elsewhere. Somebody has to pay for them, and normally they will get a private hire and or taxi to cover

the cost of these cars because they’re an easy target.” The congestion charge was temporarily increased from £11.50 to £15 per day last June after TfL’s finances were badly hit as a result of the pandemic. TfL is currently holding a consultation over whether it should make the 30% increase a permanent fixture and reduce the hours from 7am to 10pm to 7am to 6pm every day, while delaying its start until 12 noon on weekends and bank holidays. Garelick said he has put forward a proposal of a city-style tax – as seen in cities such as Vienna, Berlin and Budapest – of £1 per fare to every private hire fare in London to help drivers combat the costs. Steve Garelick A TfL spokesperson said: “The Congestion Charge and ULEZ play key roles in managing congestion and reducing air pollution. The majority of private hire vehicles in London are less than five years old, which in most cases will mean the vehicle is ULEZ compliant and so no ULEZ charges will apply.” “Should proposals which are currently out to consultation go ahead, no journeys after 6pm would be subject to the Congestion Charge.”