Part V Public Transport

Taxis

E1C137AF1 Carrying of assistance dogs in private hire vehicles

F21

It is an offence for the operator of a F3taxi to fail or refuse to accept a booking for a F3taxi—

a

if the booking is requested by or on behalf of a disabled person, or a person who wishes a disabled person to accompany him; and

b

the reason for the failure or refusal is that the disabled person will be accompanied by his assistance dog.

2

It is an offence for the operator of a F3taxi to make an additional charge for carrying an assistance dog which is accompanying a disabled person.

3

It is an offence for the driver of a F3taxi to fail or refuse to carry out a booking accepted by the operator of the vehicle—

a

if the booking was made by or on behalf of a disabled person, or a person who wishes a disabled person to accompany him; and

b

the reason for the failure or refusal is that the disabled person is accompanied by his assistance dog.

4

A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

5

If the F4Department of the Environment is satisfied that it is appropriate on medical grounds to issue a certificate of exemption to a driver in respect of subsection (3) it must do so.

6

In determining whether to issue a certificate of exemption, the F4Department of the Environment shall, in particular, have regard to the physical characteristics of the F3taxi which the applicant drives or those of any kind of F3taxi in relation to which he requires the certificate.

7

A certificate of exemption shall be issued—

a

with respect to a specified F3taxi or a specified kind of F3taxi; and

b

for such period as may be specified in the certificate.

8

No offence is committed by a driver under subsection (3) if—

a

a certificate of exemption issued to him under this section is in force with respect to the F3taxi; and

b

the prescribed notice is exhibited on the F3taxi in the prescribed manner.

9

In this section—

  • “assistance dog” means a dog which—

    1. a

      has been trained to guide a blind person;

    2. b

      has been trained to assist a deaf person;

    3. c

      has been trained by a prescribed charity to assist a disabled person who has a disability which—

      1. i

        consists of epilepsy; or

      2. ii

        otherwise affects his mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects;

  • F5“booking” means a taxi booking within the meaning given by section 57(1) of the Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;

  • F6“driver” means a person who holds a taxi driver's licence granted under—

    1. a

      Article 79A of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981; or

    2. b

      section 23 of the Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;

  • “licensing authority”, in relation to any area of England and Wales, means the authority responsible for licensing private hire vehicles in that area;

  • F7“operator” means a person who holds an operator's licence granted under section 2 of the Taxis Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;

  • F8“F3taxi” means a vehicle which—

    1. a

      seats not more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver; and

    2. b

      is licensed under Article 61 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 to carry passengers for hire (but not to stand or ply for hire).