Part 12Disabled persons: transport

Chapter 1Taxis, etc.

170Assistance dogs in private hire vehicles

1

The operator of a private hire vehicle commits an offence by failing or refusing to accept a booking for the vehicle—

a

if the booking is requested by or on behalf of a disabled person or a person who wishes to be accompanied by a disabled person, and

b

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

2

The operator commits an offence by making an additional charge for carrying an assistance dog which is accompanying a disabled person.

3

The driver of a private hire vehicle commits an offence by failing or refusing to carry out a booking accepted by the operator—

a

if the booking is made by or on behalf of a disabled person or a person who wishes to be accompanied by a disabled person, and

b

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

4

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

5

In this section—

  • “driver” means a person who holds a licence under—

    1. a

      section 13 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 (“the 1998 Act”),

    2. b

      section 51 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (“the 1976 Act”), or

    3. c

      an equivalent provision of a local enactment;

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

  • “operator” means a person who holds a licence under—

    1. a

      section 3 of the 1998 Act,

    2. b

      section 55 of the 1976 Act, or

    3. c

      an equivalent provision of a local enactment;

  • “private hire vehicle” means a vehicle licensed under—

    1. a

      section 6 of the 1998 Act,

    2. b

      section 48 of the 1976 Act, or

    3. c

      an equivalent provision of a local enactment.