Apply for a taxi or private hire licence

National Licensing Register

The Council is required to complete and search the National Register of Taxi Licence Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions (NR3S) which has been developed to improve public safety and confidence in driver licensing. There have been numerous high-profile cases where drivers who have been refused licences or had a licence revoked in one area, go to another area and receive a licence in that area by failing to disclose their previous history. Where there are legitimate reasons why a licence was refused, revoked or suspended, public confidence in the trade is diminished and public safety is undermined. The register will provide a mechanism for ensuring information about refusals, revocations and suspensions instigated for safeguarding or road safety reasons are shared between all licensing authorities in a safe and secure way, removing this potential loophole.

Data Protection and Privacy

All data processing and sharing undertaken by this authority, and with other individual authorities in regard to entries on the register will be undertaken in accordance with the Data Protection Act (DPA)-GOV.UK and the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). The legal basis for processing this information is that it is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the licensing authority – that is, assessing whether an individual is a fit and proper person to hold a hackney carriage or PHV licence. It is not intended that any NR3S data will be transferred out of the United Kingdom.

We may also use the information provided by applicants to prevent or detect crime, to protect public funds, or in other ways as permitted by law. This can include passing information to certain third parties.
If you wish to raise any issue related to the data protection legislation, including any questions regarding the rights afforded to data subjects under the GDPR, please see the Councils webpage Environmental Health and Licensing privacy notice. You can also contact the Councils Data Protection Officer at information.officer@reigate-banstead.gov.uk 

Information and advice on how to raise a concern about the Councils handling of data  can be found on the Information Commissioner’s Office website.

What information will be recorded and shared?

If we revoke or suspend an existing licence or refuse a new or renewal application for safeguarding or road safety reasons, we are required to record this on the national register. This council and others have added historic information to the register, therefore any relevant data that relates to an existing licence holder may also be considered when assessing their suitability to hold a licence
The information recorded will be retained for 11 years from when the entry was made, and is limited to:
•    name
•    date of birth
•    address and contact details
•    National Insurance Number
•    driving licence number
•    decision taken
•    date of decision
•    date decision effective
Other licensing authorities will search the register when they are processing new applications or renewals. Where an authority finds a match for their applicant it will contact the licensing authority that recorded the entry to seek more information, which, if shared, will then be used to help reach a decision on that application/licence.

What does it mean if my details are on the register? 

Any information obtained will be considered on its own merits, and any action ie refusal, will not necessarily follow simply because an individual is included on the register.

The purpose of the register is to ensure that authorities have the full information necessary to help them reach a decision on whether an individual is fit and proper. If circumstances have materially changed since the decision that has been recorded, it may be appropriate for another authority to award a licence.

How can I find out if my details are on the register?

The Council has previously written and advised any driver refused or revoked by this council between August 2017 and May 2022  that their details would be entered on the register. 

Individuals whose details are added to the register after May 2022 are advised of this at the time the decision is taken to refuse, revoke or suspend a licence for safeguarding or road safety reasons.

An individual can make a subject access request (SAR) for any of their personal data held on NR3S. The ‘data controller’ in respect of this data is this licensing authority, to whom a SAR should be submitted in the first instance. As the ‘data processor’, that is the organisation storing the data, the National Anti-Fraud Network will fulfil this request. Similarly, the exercise of any other rights provided under data protection legislation should be made to this Council n the first instance.

How long will details be held on NR3S for?

Data will be retained on the register to help licensing authorities fulfil their statutory duty to be satisfied that a person is a fit and proper person to hold a taxi or PHV licence. These duties are set out under sections 51, 59 and 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976; sections 13, 16 and 17 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998; section 3 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London PHV Driver Licences) Regulations 2003; sections 25 and 30 of the London Cab Order 1934; sections 9 and 19 of the Plymouth City Council Act 1975 and section 46 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847. The duty to use the register was implemented by the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022. In accordance with this purpose, data will remain on NR3S for 11 years from the date the record is created.