Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Valid from 27/01/2009

[F1 36A List of wheelchair-accessible vehicles providing local services E+W+S

(1) A licensing authority may maintain a list of vehicles falling within subsection (2).

(2) A vehicle falls within this subsection if—

(a) it is either a taxi or a private hire vehicle,

(b) it is being used or is to be used by the holder of a special licence under that licence, and

(c) it conforms to such accessibility requirements as the licensing authority thinks fit.

(3) “Accessibility requirements” are any requirements for the purpose of securing that it is possible for disabled persons in wheelchairs—

(a) to get into and out of vehicles in safety, or to be conveyed in safety into and out of vehicles while remaining in their wheelchairs; and

(b) to be carried in vehicles in safety and reasonable comfort (whether or not they wish to remain in their wheelchairs).

(4) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to licensing authorities as to—

(a) the accessibility requirements which they should apply for the purposes of this section;

(b) any other aspect of their functions under or by virtue of this section.

(5) A licensing authority which maintains a list under subsection (1) must have regard to any guidance issued under subsection (4).

(6) In this section—

• “licensing authority”, in relation to any area, means the authority responsible for licensing taxis or, as the case may be, private hire vehicles in that area;

• “private hire vehicle” means—

  (a)

  a vehicle licensed under section 48 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976;

  (b)

  a vehicle licensed under section 7 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998;

  (c)

  a vehicle licensed under an equivalent provision of a local enactment;

  (d)

  a private hire car licensed under section 10 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982;

• “special licence” has the meaning given by section 12 of the Transport Act 1985 (use of taxis in providing local services);

• “taxi” includes a taxi licensed under section 10 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 36A inserted (E.W.S.) (27.1.2009) by Local Transport Act 2008 (c. 26), ss. 56(2)(9), 134(2)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 36A modified (27.11.2009) by The Local Services (Operation by Licensed Hire Cars) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2863), regs. {3}, {4 Table}