Home Office tightens immigration checks for taxi and private-hire licences

The Home Office has released a fresh version of its ‘Right to a Licence’ guidance that licensing authorities must follow before granting, renewing or extending taxi and private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver licences. From 1 October 2026, all councils and Transport for London must carry out immigration status checks using either the Home Office online service or a Digital Verification Service Provider that is formally registered with the department. The update, published on 12 October, replaces the 2024 edition and clarifies how the checks should be conducted in the new era of digital immigration status (eVisas); it also removes outdated references to physical biometric residence permits. Under the revised rules, licensing teams remain legally responsible for ensuring every driver has valid permission to work in the UK. The guidance details when to refer applicants to the Status Verification, Enquiries and Checking service (SVEC), the documents that must be retained, and how to handle cases where section 3C leave or outstanding appeals mean an applicant’s digital status is not yet visible. Authorities are warned that failure to comply could expose them to civil penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal worker and reputational damage if an un-checked driver later commits an offence. For operators and fleet managers, the stricter regime means that renewal timetables will lengthen unless drivers set up a UKVI account in advance. Businesses with large rosters—such as ride-hailing platforms—are being advised to bulk-verify drivers’ share codes early and to budget for potential DVSP fees. Small local operators may need to update privacy notices and train staff on anti-discrimination safeguards when asking drivers for immigration evidence. The update sits alongside the Code of Practice on Preventing Illegal Working and signals the government’s determination to make immigration compliance a condition of market access across the transport sector. Multinational mobility teams that arrange ground transport for visiting executives should confirm that their preferred suppliers understand the new rules, as last-minute airport pickups could be disrupted if a driver’s licence renewal stalls for want of an eVisa share code.