Cabbie applicants providing fake training certificates on the rise in Liverpool

There has been an increase in the number of taxi drivers providing fake qualifications to allow them to drive on Merseyside roads, according to a report by the Liverpool Echo.

A Sefton Council report revealed the authority had seen an increase in counterfeit certificates being submitted.

In order to fulfil the "fit and proper checks" all taxi drivers must also provide medical, DBS check, DVLA, and knowledge test certificates. 

But, Sefton Council are currently accepting the VRQ qualification from any training provider. Their own report now warns it is “aware of training providers in the Northwest that provide fraudulent certificates.”

A BBC investigation which aired on November 4, 2019 which found that minicab drivers in London were working fraudulently after buying training certificates, was also referrenced in the Council's report.

To tackle the problem the local authority is proposing only to accept certificates from council-approved training providers that “have accredited status.”