Current status: Answered by Kirsten Oswald on 4 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking, through guidance, engagement or training, to raise awareness among licensing authorities, taxi and private hire vehicle drivers and operators, and disabled passengers in Scotland, of the duties under sections 164A and 165A of the Equality Act 2010, as inserted by the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022 and the associated requirement to (a) carry disabled passengers and their mobility aids, (b) provide such mobility assistance as is reasonably required and (c) assist passengers who need help to identify and find their vehicle or assist them to their destination, and not to make any additional charge for doing so.
The Scottish Government acknowledges the importance of Taxis and Private Hire Car (PHC) vehicles, and wheelchair accessible vehicles in particular, for disabled people.
The Scottish Government’s vision is that all disabled people can travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunity as other citizens. Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework is at the heart of achieving that. Alongside this national vision, the Framework provides specific outcomes for accessible travel and a high level action plan to tackle the key issues facing disabled people.
It is important to note that the Scottish Government does not have powers to enforce accessibility requirements on Taxi operators or licensing authorities. This remains reserved to the UK Parliament under the Equality Act 2010.
Nevertheless, the Scottish Government has actively sought opportunities to improve the accessibility of Taxi services where we can, and we would like to see the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles increase.
Taxis and PHCs are licensed in Scotland under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. The aim of the licensing system is to ensure that Taxi and PHC customers have a safe, reliable and accessible service.
While the Scottish Government has responsibility for the overarching legislation, the day to day administration of the licensing regime is devolved to independent licensing authorities – in effect the 32 Scottish local authorities. All licensing authorities have wide discretion to determine appropriate licensing arrangements according to local needs and circumstances and their own legal advice.
While the Scottish Ministers do not have any specific functions in relation to the day to day operation of the Taxi/ PHC licensing regime in any given local authority area, the Scottish Government can provide best practice guidance to inform and assist local licensing authorities in their decision making.
In May 2023 the Scottish Government published updated best practice guidance for local licensing authorities and Taxi and PHC operators on the licensing of Taxis and PHCs and their drivers. (https://www.gov.scot/publications/taxi-private-hire-car-licensing-best-practice-licensing-authorities-taxi-private-hire-car-operators-3rd-edition/).
I would refer you to Chapter 4 of the guidance, which specifically relates to accessibility requirements. That chapter of the best practice guidance contains information on issues such as legal duties for drivers and operators under the Equality Act 2010.
Written in conjunction with Transport Scotland, local authorities and the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) the Scottish Government best practice guidance was produced to ensure the provision of Taxis and PHCs meet the needs of disabled people.