(1)This section imposes duties on the driver of a taxi which has been hired—
(a)by or for a disabled person who is accompanied by his guide dog or hearing dog, or
(b)by a person who wishes such a disabled person to accompany him in the taxi.
(2)The disabled person is referred to in this section as “the passenger”.
(3)The duties are—
(a)to carry the passenger’s dog and allow it to remain with the passenger; and
(b)not to make any additional charge for doing so.
(4)A driver of a taxi who fails to comply with any duty imposed on him by this section is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(5)If the licensing authority is satisfied that it is appropriate on medical grounds to exempt a person from the duties imposed by this section, it shall issue him with a certificate of exemption.
(6)In determining whether to issue a certificate of exemption, the licensing authority shall, in particular, have regard to the physical characteristics of the taxi which the applicant drives or those of any kind of taxi in relation to which he requires the certificate.
(7)A certificate of exemption shall be issued—
(a)with respect to a specified taxi or a specified kind of taxi; and
(b)for such period as may be specified in the certificate.
(8)The driver of a taxi is exempt from the duties imposed by this section if—
(a)a certificate of exemption issued to him under this section is in force with respect to the taxi; and
(b)the prescribed notice of his exemption is exhibited on the taxi in the prescribed manner.
(9)The Secretary of State may, for the purposes of this section, prescribe any other category of dog trained to assist a disabled person who has a disability of a prescribed kind.
(10)This section applies in relation to any such prescribed category of dog as it applies in relation to guide dogs.
(11)In this section—
“guide dog” means a dog which has been trained to guide a blind person; and
“hearing dog” means a dog which has been trained to assist a deaf person.
Extent Information
E1In its application to Northern Ireland, this section has effect subject to the modifications set out in Sch. 8 para. 21; see s. 70(6)
Commencement Information
I1S. 37 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 70(3)(6), Sch. 8 para. 48(1); s. 37 in force for E.W. at 1.12.2000 for specified purposes and at 31.3.2001 for all other purposes by S.I. 2000/2989, art. 2(a)(b); s. 37 in force for N.I. at 1.6.2001 for specified purposes and at 1.8.2001 for all other purposes by S.R. 2001/163, art. 2(1)