Transport support services for disabled people
Taxis and minicabs
It’s against the law for drivers not to take you on a journey because of a disability or for bringing an assistance dog. It’s also against the law for taxi and minicab operators not to book a vehicle for you for those reasons.
If there are vehicles available and they refuse to take you because of your disability, the driver or operator could be fined up to £1,000 or lose their licence.
You can hail a taxi on the street, pick one up at a rank or pre-book one but you have to pre-book minicabs.
Help drivers and operators must give you
Drivers and operators have to give you help to use their service. This could include:
- help getting in and out of the vehicle
- help finding the vehicle
- putting a mobility aid in the boot
- reading out the total on the taximeter
- explaining what route they’re taking
They cannot ask you to pay extra for this help.
Drivers who are exempt
Drivers can be exempt from giving physical help if they have a medical condition. For example, if they cannot lift your mobility aid into the boot or push a wheelchair up a ramp.
Wheelchair access
In some areas (mainly larger cities), licensed taxis have to be wheelchair accessible.
To find out if there are accessible vehicles near you, contact the taxi licensing office at your local council - they have to keep a list of wheelchair accessible vehicles in their area.
Assistance dogs
Your assistance dog must be allowed to travel with you if you have:
- an impairment affecting your mobility
- an impairment affecting your dexterity
- epilepsy
This does not apply if the driver has an exemption certificate. A driver with an exemption certificate will have a ‘notice of exemption’ on their vehicle windscreen.
The following types of dog can be taken with you:
- guide dogs
- hearing dogs
- assistance dogs trained by Dogs for the Disabled, Support Dogs or Canine Partners
Travelling with your dog
Drivers are told how to identify assistance dogs. It can help them do this if:
- your assistance dog wears its harness or identification jacket when you are travelling with it
- you carry your dog’s identification card if you have one
Report a problem
Report any problems to the taxi licensing office at your local council.