Disabled people should be able to travel free from any fear of discriminatory treatment. The Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act came into effect from 28 June 2022 and provided disabled passengers with the reassurance that they will receive appropriate assistance, wherever they travel and without being charged extra. It did this by introducing the rules outlined below.

Operator’s

Private Hire Vehicle Operator’s are required to accept bookings for or on behalf of any disabled person, if they have a suitable vehicle available.

Driver’s

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s, regardless of whether their vehicle is wheelchair accessible, are required to:

• Accept the carriage of any disabled passenger
• Carry the mobility aids and/or wheelchair of any disabled passenger
• Provide any disabled passenger with reasonable mobility assistance
• Take reasonable steps to ensure any disabled passenger is carried safely and in reasonable comfort; and
• Carry out all of the above without charging any more than they would for a non-disabled passenger.

In addition to the requirements above the driver of any pre-booked Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle will also be required to:

• Provide any disabled passenger who requests it with assistance to identify the vehicle; and
• Do so without making any additional charge.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles – Current List