For the DVSA to improve standards, and the quality of entrants to the scheme, as of 1st April this year all those seeking a level 2 qualification will require a clear Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Checking someone’s criminal record as an employer might already be in place for many, more detailed checks are available for certain roles, for example in healthcare or childcare, but many in the automotive aftermarket are not subjected to DBS checks. There are different rules for getting a different criminal record check in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The price is dependent on the devolved nation, but should be around £23-£25 and can be sourced through the government website.
A CRB check was a criminal history check using the Police National Computer (PNC). It was carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau from 2002 until the introduction of the DBS in 2012
Further information will be release very shortly from the DVSA regrading the specifics of what check will be required. This information will be first sent to the awarding bodies and then disseminated through the usual communication outlets.
Types of check
- A basic check, showing unspent convictions and conditional cautions
- A standard check, showing spent and unspent convictions and cautions
- An enhanced check, showing the same information as a standard plus any information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.
- An enhanced check with barred lists, which shows the same as an enhanced check plus whether the applicant is on the list of people barred from doing the role.
Those who carry out criminal checks must have a policy on employing ex-offenders and show it to any applicant who asks for it.
Individuals can check their own criminal record but can only request a basic check for yourself. Self-employed persons can get other types of checks, where the role is eligible, from the organization they are working with.
Existing testers and those performing a demonstration test before April 1st are not required to provide a clear DBS check at this time. Once the deadline has passed, testers must have a clear DBS check within a 3-month period of their demonstration test. DBS checks have no official expiry dates, information gathered is accurate at the time the check is carried out, the DBS service leaves the decision up to the organization to decide if new checks are needed. As it is conditional for the role of a tester to disclose any information about convictions accrued once qualified, it is unlikely that further checks would be necessary.
Contact DBS
Contact DBS if you’re not sure whether you can request a check.
DBS customer services
customerservices@dbs.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 0200 190
Welsh: 0300 0200 191
Minicom: 0300 0200 192
International: +44 151 676 9390
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (9am to 5pm for appeals and disputes)
Saturday, 10am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
DBS customer services
PO Box 3961
Royal Wootton Bassett
SN4 4HF
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