GOVERNMENT COMMITTED: Cab drivers look set for NEW disability equality training later this year

Image credit: LEVC

All taxi and private hire drivers look set for new disability equality training, as part of new Government guidance expected to be delivered later this year.

The Department for Transport (DfT) are pushing for EVERY local licensing authority to require taxi and minicab drivers to complete effective disability awareness training.

The Government have also confirmed they ‘remain committed’ to bringing in mandatory disability awareness training for cabbies via new National Minimum Standards for licensing authorities.

Catherine West, Shadow Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Minister, asked the DfT Secretary of State, Grant Shapps whether he will require taxi and minicab drivers to complete disability equality training.

Trudy Harrison, DfT Minister, responded to the written question: “Effective disability awareness training can help ensure that taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers have the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide passengers with appropriate assistance, so that they can travel independently and with confidence.

“The Department wants every local licensing authority to require taxi and PHV drivers to complete this training, and will make this clear in updated best practice guidance, due to be published for consultation later in the year.

“The Government also remains committed to introducing mandatory disability awareness training for taxi and PHV drivers through new National Minimum Standards for licensing authorities when Parliamentary time allows.”