The Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 12) Order 2017

This Order brings into force sections 165 and 167 (in so far as they are not already in force) of the Equality Act 2010 (c.15). Section 165 imposes duties on the driver of a designated taxi and the driver of a designated private hire vehicle (“a designated vehicle”), to carry passengers who are either wheelchair users or wheelchair users accompanying passengers, so as to enable wheelchair users to access and exit designated vehicles. Section 165 also creates a new criminal offence if the driver of a designated vehicle fails to comply with the duties specified in section 165. Section 166 provides that the driver of a designated vehicle is exempted from the duties imposed by section 165 if a licensing authority issues the driver with an exemption certificate which is in force and the prescribed notice of the exemption is exhibited in the designated vehicle in the prescribed manner. Section 166 also provides that a taxi or private hire vehicle is “designated” if it appears on a list maintained under section 167. Section 167 provides that for the purposes of section 165, a licencing authority may maintain a list of vehicles which are either taxis or private hire vehicles and conform to such accessibility requirements as the licensing authority thinks fit.