Equality Act 2010

From April 2017 drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles designated by the local licensing authority as being wheelchair accessible must comply with the requirements of Section 165 of the Equality Act 2010, unless they have been issued with an exemption certificate. For further information please click Gov.uk.

This is intended to help licensing authorities:

• Maintain lists of vehicles designated as wheelchair accessible
• Handle applications from drivers who are medically unfit to perform the duties required of them
• Enforce the requirements

Section 166 allows us to exempt drivers from the duties to assist passengers in wheelchairs if they are satisfied that it is appropriate to do so on medical grounds or because the driver's physical condition makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for him or her to comply with the duties. We accept applications from drivers for an exemption under Section 166. Drivers are asked to submit a letter requesting an exemption together with a medical letter from their own GP.

Section 167 relates to duties imposed on us to provide a list of wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles.

Here's the current list of wheelchair accessible vehicles licensed by us designated for the purposes of section 165 of the Act:

Taxis

• Ford Transit – Mr J Rhandawa

Private Hire Vehicle

• Mercedes Vito – Central Cab Care Ltd

Sections 168 - 171 relate to the carriage of guide dogs and other assistance dogs. Where exemptions to carry guide dogs etc have already been made by us under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, they will continue to have effect as though they had been made under the Equality Act 2010. Drivers already exempt do not need to do anything to continue with their exemption.