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Drivers of licensed taxis and minicabs are required to carry a guide dog and hearing dog, or an assistance dog accompanying a person with epilepsy or a physical disability, free of charge.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act, the government has the power to make regulations requiring all licensed taxis to be accessible to disabled people, including those who use wheelchairs and to allow them to be carried in safety and reasonable comfort. Drivers of taxis which have been made accessible for disabled people will be obliged to help them in and out of their taxis and help with luggage.
In London, all newly-licensed taxis must be able to carry a wheelchair and all taxis must be wheelchair accessible by 1 January 2012.
Apart from the provision about dogs, mentioned earlier, there is no provision for disability access to minicabs.
Northern Ireland operates a public and private hire taxi service. Public hire (black) taxis display a yellow plate issued by the Department of the Environment and operate from ranks. They are required to carry guide and hearing dogs or assistance dogs as in Great Britain. They must also be wheelchair accessible. This is not the case with private hire taxis.
Information in this section taken from the Citizens Advice Bureau at: www.adviceguide.org.uk
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