Taxi and private hire duties for assisting disabled passengers
Drivers and operators of taxis and private hire vehicles have a duty to assist disabled passengers under the Equalities Act 2010.
Failure to comply with these duties is an offence and could result in a fine of up to £1,000.
You may also lose your licence.
Driver duties
As a driver you must:
- carry any disabled passenger
- provide disabled passengers with reasonable mobility assistance and carry their mobility aids or wheelchair (if safe to do so)
- help disabled passengers to find or identify your vehicle at no extra charge
- carry a disabled passenger's assistance dog and allow the dog to remain with them
If your vehicle is included on our list of designated wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) you must:
- carry any passenger in their wheelchair or transport the wheelchair if the passenger chooses to sit in the vehicle
- carry any mobility aids
- provide reasonable assistance at no extra charge
You should never add or propose to add an extra charge for carrying or assisting a disabled passenger.
Exemptions for drivers with medical or physical conditions
You can apply for an exemption certificate if you have a condition that means you're unable to carry assistance dogs or provide mobility assistance.
To apply for a certificate email the Taxi Licensing Team at [email protected]
Operator duties
As an operator you must
- accept bookings for or on behalf of any disabled person, as long as you have a suitable vehicle available
You must not:
- refuse any booking where a disabled passenger is accompanied by an assistance dog
- add or propose to add an extra charge for bookings involving disabled passengers, including passengers in wheelchairs or with assistance dogs