The NR3 Register has been enhanced to meet new operational requirements and rebranded as the NR3S National Register (National Register for Revocations, Refusals and Suspensions).

On 31 March 2022, the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022 received Royal Assent. Statutory Guidance was published on 23 May 2022. From 7 April 2023, the Act places new duties on PHV licensing authorities in England. The Act contains provisions that require licensing authorities to record information relating to drivers’ licensing histories (refusals, revocations or suspensions) on a National Register. Furthermore, before a licensing authority in England decides whether to grant or renew a driver licence, it must search the Register for any entry relating to the applicant.

Whenever a taxi and PHV licensing authority processes a new application or renewal, it is required to check the NR3S Register at a suitably early stage of the process to confirm whether the applicant was subject to a previous licensing decision of which they should be aware. A licensing authority must not base its decision solely on an entry on the database. Every application must be considered on its own merits.

Data Protection and Privacy

We use the database to ensure the fitness and propriety of licence holders as part of the application process. We do this following the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and human rights law.

We might 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.

We are registered with the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN) who host the register.

We are transferring all of the existing, relevant data that we hold into the database. According to the NAFN retention policy, it will be held for 11 years.

Frequently asked questions

Why has the register been set up?

The Local Government Association (LGA) and the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN) launched the National Register of Taxi Licence Revocations and Refusals (NR3) in 2018. The Register provides a mechanism for licensing authorities to record details where a taxi or PHV drivers’ licence has been refused or revoked, and allows licensing authorities to check new applicants against the Register. The simple objective of the NR3 was to ensure that licensing authorities could take properly informed decisions on whether an applicant was ‘fit and proper’, in the knowledge that another authority had previously reached a negative view on the same applicant.

NR3 was developed and promoted to improve public safety and confidence in taxi and PHV licensing. The benefits of sharing this data were widely acknowledged and the Department for Transport (DfT) has recognised the value of NR3, using legislation to mandate its use.

On 31 March 2022, the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022 received Royal Assent. Statutory Guidance was published on 23 May 2022. From 7 April 2023, the Act places new duties on PHV licensing authorities in England. The Act contains provisions that require licensing authorities to record information relating to drivers’ licensing histories (refusals, revocations or suspensions) on a National Register. Furthermore, before a licensing authority in England decides whether to grant or renew a driver licence, it must search the Register for any entry relating to the applicant.
 
The NR3 Register has been enhanced to meet these new operational requirements and rebranded as the NR3S National Register. The Secretary of State has approved the new Register and confirmed that it will be maintained by NAFN.

How will the register work - what information will be recorded?

When a licensing authority receives an application for a licence or a renewal, the applicant’s details must be checked on the Register to confirm that there is no record of any previous license having being revoked, refused or suspended elsewhere.

The data recorded on NR3S comprises:

  • Licensing Authority URN (Mandatory)
  • Name of licence holder (Mandatory)
  • Date of birth (Mandatory)
  • Driving licence number (Mandatory)
  • Taxi licence type (Mandatory)
  • Address (Mandatory)
  • Decision taken on refusal, revocation or suspension but not the reason for it (Mandatory)
  • Date of decision (Mandatory)
  • Date decision takes effect, if different to date of decision (Mandatory)
  • Date of any subsequent change to the decision, and the date it takes effect, if different (Mandatory)
  • National Insurance Number (Mandatory)
  • Licence holder contact details (Optional)
  • If a suspension, the date on which the suspension is to end (Mandatory)

When conducting a search of the NR3S Register, where there is a match, the following data will be displayed:

  • Date record entered by Licensing Authority
  • Name of Licensing Authority
  • Licensing Authority URN
  • Name and contact details of officer (who created the record or conducted a search of the record)
  • Matched fields
  • Type of entry (Record or Search)

Licensing decisions should not be made solely on an entry on the database. Where a match is identified and returned to a licensing authority, it will be up to that individual licensing authority to follow up on any searches with the appropriate licensing authority, whose contact details will be included in the search result.

Will I automatically be refused a licence if I am on the register?

No. Licensing authorities are legally required to consider each licence application on its own merits, and cannot refuse an application simply because an applicant may be recorded on NR3S.

The purpose of NR3S 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 on NR3S, it may be appropriate for another authority to award a licence.

What if my licence is suspended?

As from 7th April 2023 all suspensions will be recorded on NR3S and used to help reach a decision on whether an individual is fit and proper.

Can I find out if my details are on the NR3S?

Individuals whose details are added to NR3S will be notified of this at the point at which they are advised of the decision to refuse, revoke or suspend a licence.

Outside of these times, 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 authority in the first instance.

How long will details be held on NR3S for?

In accordance with this purpose, data will remain on NR3S for 11 years.

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