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A taxi driver who refused to carry assistance dogs for two blind customers has been fined. Nozir Rahman, 31, from Chester, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 10, to one offence of refusing to carry a blind customer who had an assistance dog with him.
On the day of the offence, in February this year, the claimant’s partner had called KingKabs to book a taxi to Chester Railway Station explaining that they both had assistance dogs. Rahman arrived in his taxi but refused to carry the dogs and then drove away.
KingKabs reported Rahman to the Cheshire West and Chester Licensing Authority and the defendant was then interviewed under caution. He gave three different reasons for not carrying the dogs - firstly to the complainant then to the taxi company and later council officers when he was interviewed.
Rahman received fines totalling £580, including a victim surcharge of £80 and a contribution to prosecution costs of £300. Taxi drivers have a legal obligation to accept assistance dogs unless they have a specific medical exemption certificate issued under the Equalities Act 2010. Drivers are made aware of these legal requirements during their training.
Rahman will now be required to go before the members of the General Licensing Sub-Committee which will consider whether he is “fit and proper” to continue to be a licensed driver.
On the day of the offence, in February this year, the claimant’s partner had called KingKabs to book a taxi to Chester Railway Station explaining that they both had assistance dogs. Rahman arrived in his taxi but refused to carry the dogs and then drove away.
KingKabs reported Rahman to the Cheshire West and Chester Licensing Authority and the defendant was then interviewed under caution. He gave three different reasons for not carrying the dogs - firstly to the complainant then to the taxi company and later council officers when he was interviewed.
Rahman received fines totalling £580, including a victim surcharge of £80 and a contribution to prosecution costs of £300. Taxi drivers have a legal obligation to accept assistance dogs unless they have a specific medical exemption certificate issued under the Equalities Act 2010. Drivers are made aware of these legal requirements during their training.
Rahman will now be required to go before the members of the General Licensing Sub-Committee which will consider whether he is “fit and proper” to continue to be a licensed driver.
