The Equality Act 2010
Disability is one of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
The Equality Act 2010 places several duties on drivers of licensed vehicles both Private Hire and Hackney Carriage.
These include:
- To carry the passenger
- If the passenger is in or has with them a wheelchair, to carry the wheelchair
- If the passenger has with them any mobility aids, to carry the mobility aids
- To take such steps as are reasonable to ensure that the passenger is carried in safety and reasonable comfort
- To give the passenger such mobility assistance as is reasonably required
In addition to this drivers of designated wheelchair vehicles also must:
- Carry the passenger in the wheelchair
- If the passenger chooses to sit in a passenger seat, to carry the wheelchair.
The act defines mobility assistance as:
- To enable the passenger to get into or out of the vehicle
- If the passenger wishes to remain in the wheelchair, to enable the passenger to get into or out of the vehicle while in the wheelchair (designated vehicles only)
- To load the passenger’s luggage or mobility aids into or out of the vehicle
- If the passenger does not wish to remain in the wheelchair to load the wheelchair into or out of the vehicle
Assistance dogs:
- If a disabled person is accompanied by an assistance dog then a licensed driver must allow the dog to travel with the person.
- You must not refuse to carry the assistance dog or refuse the passenger travel.
Drivers must not make any additional charge or take any additional fee for the any of the above duties.
Failing to comply with the duties placed on licensed drivers by the equality act is an offence. If convicted you could face a fine of up to £1000 and risk action being taken against your licence.
Only a licensed driver with a valid exemption certificate is exempt from any section of the assistance listed above.