What is an NR3 check?
This is an additional check carried out regarding anything that needs to be taken into consideration when processing an application to be a Private Hire or Dual Driver (Hackney) licence holder.
What is NR3?
- NR3 stands for the National Register of Taxi and Private Hire Licence Revocations and Refusals.
- It was launched by the Local Government Association (LGA) in 2018.
- From April 2023, it became a statutory requirement under the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022.
What is the purpose of an NR3 check?
- To prevent drivers who have had a licence refused, revoked, or suspended from obtaining a new licence in another area without disclosing their history.
- To help licensing authorities determine if an applicant is a “fit and proper person” to hold a taxi or private hire licence.
How NR3 works
- Licensing authorities record basic details of drivers whose licences were refused, revoked, or suspended.
- When a new application is received, the authority checks the applicant’s details against the NR3 register.
- If a match is found, the authority may request further information from the original authority before making a decision.
Information stored in NR3
- Name, date of birth, address, contact details
- National Insurance number, driving licence number
- Decision taken, date of decision, and effective date
- No reasons for the refusal/revocation/suspension are stored—only the fact that it occurred.
Who manages NR3?
- The register is hosted by the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN).
- Licensing authorities must be members of NAFN to access the register.
Legal and privacy considerations
- Data is processed in accordance with GDPR and human rights law.
Impact on taxi drivers
- All new and renewal applications are automatically checked against NR3.
- If a driver has a previous refusal or revocation, it may affect their eligibility for a licence.
- Drivers have the right to access their own NR3 data and challenge inaccuracies.