Timing: Usually the longest lead time — most people start here.
What you need
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with a barred-list check, for the position 'Other Workforce [Taxi/Private Hire] Driver'. The certificate is issued to you, not to the council. 'Requested' is not 'issued' — the council needs the certificate itself.
The TaxiPlus route
City of Wolverhampton Council's published guidance identifies TaxiPlus as the route for arranging your Enhanced DBS, and says the DVLA driving-licence check completes at the same time when you apply that way. [A]
Recent applicant confirmations (October 2026) have described other registered DBS bodies being accepted. [D]
Start from the council's named route, TaxiPlus, and check the council's latest requirements before paying — including whether an alternative registered provider is currently accepted. Whichever route you use, the certificate must be an Enhanced DBS with barred-list check for the position 'Other Workforce [Taxi/Private Hire] Driver'. PHPro has no partnership with TaxiPlus and is not a DBS provider.
- 1Check the council's latest requirements before applying: the workforce position, the barred-list check and the DBS Update Service.
- 2If you are considering another registered DBS provider, confirm with the council in writing that it is currently accepted before you pay.
- 3Applying via TaxiPlus also completes the DVLA driving-licence check the council asks for.
Source conflict — The council's website and recent applicant confirmation emails give different instructions on this point. Follow your own confirmation email, and check with the council if anything is unclear.
When the certificate arrives
- 1Register for the DBS Update Service within the subscription deadline (currently 30 days from the certificate's issue date on GOV.UK). The council currently states that applicants not subscribed to the DBS Update Service receive only a six-month licence, and that an unsubscribed certificate must be under three months old when accepted. Subscription must be set up within a limited period of the certificate's issue date. [A][E]
- 2Keep every page of the original safe and unmarked.
- 3How the council sees the original: The council's apply-online page says to post all pages of the original DBS certificate to Taxi Licensing at the Civic Centre, by a tracked method. [A] The owner's October 2026 confirmation says original documents and identity are verified in person at an appointment. [D] Do not post anything until you have read your own confirmation email. Some applicants are asked to post the original; others are asked to bring it to an in-person verification appointment. If your instructions are unclear or conflict with the website, email the council quoting your WTP reference before sending originals anywhere.
Source conflict — The council's website and recent applicant confirmation emails give different instructions on this point. Follow your own confirmation email, and check with the council if anything is unclear.
Common mistakes
- Paying a DBS provider the council won't accept — check the current guidance first.
- Choosing the wrong workforce position or missing the barred-list check.
- Missing the Update Service deadline after the certificate is issued — you would get a six-month licence instead.
- Posting originals untracked, or posting when your confirmation asked you to bring them in person.
- A name that doesn't match your other documents exactly.
Requirements change and can depend on your circumstances. Statements attributed to the council were checked against the official pages linked here on 9 October 2026; always confirm with the official source before you act. PHPro is an independent application-support service. Final licensing decisions are made by the relevant licensing authority.