Taxis

For years, guide dog owners have been refused carriage by a minority of taxi and private hire drivers who objected to having guide dogs in their cars. In April 2001, The Disability Discrimination Act prevented drivers of licensed taxis from discriminating in this way. But, the Act did not cover the private hire (minicab) trade, leaving decisions to each local authority.

The charity launched Access for All in 2000 after it was contacted by large numbers of guide dog owners who told of humiliating and distressing experiences after being left stranded by cab drivers who refused to carry their dogs. Guide Dogs then contacted local authorities to ask them to use their licensing powers to require private hire vehicles to carry guide dogs.

In 2000 there was no legislation preventing private hire drivers from refusing, on any grounds they choose, to carry guide dogs in their cars. One year on from the launch of this campaign, over 80 per cent of local councils became committed to ending discrimination against guide dog owners.

Only two years later, and there was great news for guide dog owners who use private hire vehicles, otherwise known as minicabs. The Private Hire Vehicles (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc) Bill, which was tabled by Neil Gerrard MP and supported throughout by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, passed all its parliamentary stages.

The new law will extend the Disability Discrimination Act to make it illegal for minicab drivers to refuse to carry guide dog owners just because they are accompanied by their dogs. Medical exemptions will be available if drivers have a certificate from their GPs, as is the case for licensed taxi drivers, just three of whom have exemptions in the whole of the UK.

The Bill has become Section 37a of the Disability Discrimination Act and came into force in March 2003.