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Liverpool private hire driver hauled to court and hit with £750 bill after refusing passenger with guide dog
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
A private hire vehicle driver licensed by Liverpool City Council has been ordered to pay £750 in fines and costs after refusing to carry a customer who was accompanied by a guide dog.
Liverpool City Council Licensing confirmed the prosecution this week, saying the driver had appeared in court over the refusal.
The council said: “This week, an LCC licensed PHV driver appeared in court after refusing to carry a customer accompanied by a guide dog.
“Refusing a passenger with a guide dog is an offence under the Equality Act. The driver was found guilty and ordered to pay £750 in fines and costs.”
Licensed taxi and private hire drivers have legal duties relating to passengers travelling with assistance dogs. Under the Equality Act 2010, drivers covered by the requirements must carry assistance dogs and cannot make an additional charge for doing so.
There are limited circumstances in which a driver can be exempt from the assistance dog requirements on medical grounds. Where an exemption has been formally granted by the relevant licensing authority, the appropriate exemption certificate or notice must be displayed as required.
The Liverpool case provides another warning to licensed drivers that refusing an assistance dog without a valid exemption can lead to court action. Drivers who believe they have medical grounds preventing them from carrying dogs should follow their licensing authority’s exemption process rather than refusing passengers without the required authorisation.
