Councils Take Action Against Rogue Taxi Drivers

By Charanjit Singh


Most council have compulsory disability awareness training for taxi drivers and private hire drivers. The content below gives readers a bit understanding of what they can expect when using these services and what to do if their expectations are not met.



The disability discrimination act 1995 launched new regulations to end discrimination towards disabled passengers this kind of contributed to councils bringing out demanding bylaws to in force the modifications. Private Hire Providers and taxi cabs now need to facilitate the carriage of guide dogs/working dogs, at no extra expense when needed to do so by a member of the public. If a cab or private hire owner refuses you because of your disability take note of the driver's plate number and report it to private hire licensing, licensing has positively taken a powerful stance against this.

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Transport suppliers must make 'reasonable adjustments' for a disabled individual in the way they offer their services. This kind of does not, however, include physical alterations or modifications to the vehicle. (this kind of at this time is actually in discussion to be changed as the local authority is taking note of the inability of companies to offer wheel chair assessable automobiles).

A company cannot decline to carry an assistance canine unless the driver has a medical exemption certificate issued by the licensing authority. Refusal will certainly result in immediate termination (gross misconduct) with most councils.

A company cannot charge extra for carrying a disabled passenger (wheel chair, assistance dog, push chair, walking aid etc) this behaviour will result in instant dismissal (gross misconduct) with most councils.

A driver needs to ask the person at all occasions; if any or what type of assistance is necessary (the disabled person is the expert on his or her own disability).

Disabled individuals are not necessarily the same, so a driver should not necessarily make assumptions or generalize.

Over a drivers career they are expected to experience customers who may have got: * Assisted walking aids * Wheel chairs * Push chairs * Assistance dogs * Plaster molds * Mannerisms as well as speech difficulties * Larger travellers or passengers with particular posture brought on by an injury or health problems

How not to be a victim of rogue drivers.

It is compulsory that a driver knows how to aid passengers who have got disabilities.






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