Wheelchair accessible taxi exemptions and requirements

Designated wheelchair accessible vehicles

Sheffield City Council is committed to promoting accessible transport services to all users, and to uphold the objectives of the Equality Act 2010.

The below link provides a published list (section 167 list) of all licensed wheelchair accessible vehicles. All Hackney Carriage Vehicles are wheelchair accessible:

•     List of wheelchair accessible vehicles

Responsibilities of drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles

Drivers of designated wheelchair accessible licensed vehicles have a duty:

•    to carry the passenger whilst in a wheelchair

•    not to make any additional charge for doing so 

(which includes that a meter should not be activated before or left running whilst the driver performs duties required by the Equalities Act 2010)

•    if the passenger chooses to sit in a passenger seat, to carry the wheelchair

•    to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the passenger is carried in safety and reasonable comfort

•    to give the passenger such “mobility assistance” as is reasonably required

Mobility assistance

Drivers must help passengers who use wheelchairs by providing physical assistance to get in and out of the vehicle. 

•    If the passenger wishes to remain in the wheelchair, the driver must help the passenger to get into and out of the vehicle. 

•    If the passenger wants to transfer to a seat, the driver must help him or her to get out of the wheelchair and into a seat and back into the wheelchair. The driver must also load the wheelchair into the vehicle. 

•    The driver must also offer to load the passenger’s luggage into and out of the vehicle

Guide dogs / Assistance dogs

Hackney and private hire drivers must carry guide/assistance dogs in licensed vehicles. This applies even if their vehicle is not designated wheelchair accessible.

Exemptions

The Council can 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.

A driver will only be exempt if an exemption certificate has been issued and a notice of exemption issued by the council is exhibited on the vehicle in the prescribed manner.

The exemption certificate must only be used by the named driver and must be displayed in the vehicle specified while ever the driver is driving the vehicle.

How to apply for an exemption

Contact the licensing service to request an exemption form.

Failure to comply with requirements

Unless a driver has been granted an ‘exemption’ by us on the grounds that he / she is medically unable to provide the above assistance, then an offence is committed if the duties imposed are not carried out as required. 

In such instances, the Council will investigate any complaints received about the lack of assisting wheelchair users and / or those accompanied by guide / assistance dogs and will take the appropriate enforcement measures.