We're committed to promoting accessible transport services to all users, and to uphold the objectives of the Equality Act 2010 and the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022.
The Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022 amended the Equality Act 2010 to introduce new, and amend existing, duties for local authorities and taxi and private hire vehicle drivers and operators alike.
The 2022 act aims to ensure that disabled people can use taxi and private hire vehicle services with dignity and confidence, and that disabled people are protected against extra charges and discrimination.
- Wheelchair accessible vehicles list
- Mobility assistance
- Requirements for drivers and operators
- Guide dogs and assistance dogs
- Refusal to comply with duties
Wheelchair accessible vehicles list
Under the 2022 act, councils are required to supply and publish a list of wheelchair accessible vehicles. The vehicles shown on the list are known to be capable of carrying a “reference wheelchair” which is defined as 700mm in width, 1200mm in length, and 1350mm in height. Some may be capable of carrying larger or heavier wheelchairs.
Please note that the listed vehicles are those which can carry a person who remains seated in their wheelchair.
See the City of York Council list of available wheelchair accessible vehicles designated for the purposes of section 165 of the Equality Act 2010:
All licensed wheelchair accessible vehicles can be booked through the company that they work for, obtained at local taxi ranks, or hailed in the street.
The following responsibilities are placed on drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles that have been licensed as designated wheelchair accessible vehicles:
- to carry the passenger whilst in a wheelchair
- not to make any additional charge for doing so
- if the passenger chooses to sit in a passenger seat, to carry the wheelchair
- to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the passenger is carried in safety and reasonable comfort
- to give the passenger such mobility assistance as is reasonably required
Mobility assistance
Mobility assistance means helping passengers who use wheelchairs by providing physical assistance.
If the passenger wishes to remain in the wheelchair, the driver must help the passenger to get into and out of the vehicle.
If the passenger wants to transfer to a seat, the driver must help them to get out of the wheelchair and into a seat and back into the wheelchair. The driver must also load the wheelchair into the vehicle.
All other vehicles licensed by City of York Council not listed may be capable of carrying a passenger who can transfer from their wheelchair depending on the passenger’s preference.
All vehicles have sufficient boot space to accommodate a folded wheelchair.
Drivers of these other licensed vehicles are subject to Section 165 of the Equality Act 2010 and if you are refused by a driver of any licensed vehicle in York you can report this to the licensing team.
The driver must also offer to load the passenger’s luggage into and out of the vehicle.
Requirements for drivers and operators
The existing legislation (The Equality Act 2010) places duties upon drivers of designated wheelchair accessible vehicles to accept the carriage of wheelchair users, provide them with reasonable mobility assistance, and refrain from charging them more than other passengers.
All taxi and private hire drivers and operators, regardless of whether the vehicle is wheelchair accessible, will be subject to those duties under the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled People) Act 2022.
Taxi and private hire vehicle drivers will be required to:
- accept the carriage of any disabled person, provide them with reasonable mobility assistance, and carry their mobility aids, all without charging any more than they would for a non-disabled passenger
- Provide any disabled passenger who requests it with assistance, at no extra charge
Private hire vehicle operators will be required to:
- accept bookings for or on behalf of any disabled person, if they have a suitable vehicle available
Guide dogs and assistance dogs
Duties are placed on hackney carriage and private hire drivers when driving licensed vehicles to carry guide dogs and other assistance dogs, under the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, regardless of the designation on the 167 list.
Licensed drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles are under a duty to carry passengers with assistance dogs.
Under the Equality Act 2010, licensed drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles are under a duty to carry passengers with guide, hearing and other assistance dogs without additional charge.
When carrying such passengers, drivers have a duty to:
- convey the disabled passenger’s dog and allow it to remain under the physical control of the owner; and
- not to make any additional charge for doing so
It's best practice to ask the passenger where they want themselves and their dog to sit in the vehicle.
Refusal to comply with duties
Unless a driver has been granted an Exemption Notice by the council on the grounds that the driver is medically unable to provide the above assistance, then an offence is committed if these duties are not carried out as required.
In such instances the council will investigate any complaints received about the lack of assisting wheelchair users and/or those accompanied by guide or assistance dogs, and will take the appropriate enforcement measures in accordance with our Enforcement and Licensing Policies.
If you feel that a driver has acted unlawfully by refusing to carry you, contact the Taxi Licensing Team by email or telephone, with the following details:
- vehicle make and model
- plate number (found on the rear of the vehicle)
- vehicle registration number
- if possible, the driver’s badge number, displayed in the vehicle (drivers must also wear a badge whilst at work)
- operators trading name and telephone number (if applicable)
Drivers found not adhering to the legislation may face suspension, revocation or prosecution. As part of the amendments, taxi and private hire drivers could face fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to provide reasonable mobility assistance to disabled passengers taking a pre-booked vehicle.
Should you wish to make a complaint about a driver or operator, contact the Taxi Licensing Team by email or telephone.
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