The Taxi Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

Steps and rails

18.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (4), the lowest step of every entrance or exit of every taxi from which a passenger can step directly to the ground, shall be not more than 435 millimetres above the ground when the taxi is unoccupied. Any fixed step shall in no case project laterally beyond the taxi unless it is protected by the front wings of the taxi, or otherwise is such that it is not liable to injure pedestrians.

(2) Subject to paragraph (4), where the lowest step of every entrance or exit from which a passenger can step directly to the ground is more than 435 millimetres, suitable steps and, where appropriate, hand rails, shall be provided.

(3) Where steps are provided, they shall be maintained in proper order and repair and comply with the following specifications—

(a) the surface of each tread shall be covered in a slip-resistant material;

(b) each retractable or folding step shall have a driver’s warning device attached to it which warns the driver that it has been deployed;

(c) subject to paragraph (4), there shall be a band of colour across the front edge of each tread of not less than 45 millimetres and not more than 50 millimetres in width, which shall contrast with the remainder of the tread; and

(d) the steps shall be soundly and properly constructed of suitable materials, and of such design as to be capable of withstanding the loads and stresses likely to be met within normal operation of the taxi.

(4) Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3)(c) shall not apply where an application is in respect of a Class C taxi licence and the taxi is not a heavy motor car or a motor vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kilograms and was first used before 1^st January 2001.

(5) Where an application is in respect of a Class C taxi licence and the taxi is a heavy motor car or is a motor vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kilograms and an additional step is provided between the lowest step and the passenger compartment, the vertical distance between each riser shall not be less than 120 millimetres and not greater than 250 millimetres.

(6) Where paragraph (5) applies, hand rails shall be provided to assist passengers to enter or exit the taxi.