The Taxi Drivers' Licences (Carrying of Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs) (Scotland) Regulations 2002

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations place a duty on taxi drivers, through the imposition of a condition in a taxi driver’s licence, to carry a disabled passenger’s guide dog, hearing dog or assistance dog. The Regulations provide that the taxi driver must allow the dog to remain with the disabled person and not make any additional charge for carrying the dog.

The Regulations also prescribe certain dogs helping people with epilepsy and people with certain general physical disabilities as dogs to which this obligation applies.

The Regulations further provide that a taxi driver may be exempted from the obligation to carry a disabled passenger’s guide dog, hearing dog or assistance dog on medical grounds. They prescribe the form of the exemption notice which must, in those circumstances, be displayed and the manner of its display in the taxi. They also provide for the giving of reasons for, and appeals against, decisions of licensing authorities on applications for exemption.

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Scottish Executive Finance and Central Services Department, Local Government Constitution and Governance Division, Area 3-H, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ.