Section 170: Assistance dogs in private hire vehicles
Effect
552.This section places duties on operators and drivers of private hire vehicles in England and Wales to transport a disabled person’s assistance dog and allow it to stay with the passenger without making any additional charge. Under section 20 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, regulations may make provision corresponding to section 170 for Scotland.
553.An operator or driver of a private hire vehicle who refuses to carry an assistance dog commits an offence that is punishable by a fine of (currently) up to £1,000.
Background
554.This section is replicates the main provision contained in section 37A of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Examples
A driver of a private hire vehicle cannot impose an additional charge for carrying an assistance dog.
An operator of a fleet of private hire vehicles accepts a booking from a passenger with an assistance dog. The driver cannot refuse to carry the assistance dog.