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<p>Taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) services must be accessible to those who rely
upon them, and disability awareness and equality training can be effective in equipping
drivers with the skills and knowledge to provide all passengers with the assistance
they require. The Department is currently considering the responses to the consultation
on the draft Accessibility Action Plan which will inform the updated Best Practice
Guidance for taxi and PHV licensing authorities.</p><p> </p><p>It is the Department’s
expectation that the guidance will include a recommendation that authorities should
use their existing powers to require prospective drivers to complete disability awareness
and equality training.</p><p> </p><p>The working group established by the then Minister
of State (John Hayes MP) to consider current issues concerning taxi and PHV licensing
will report its findings shortly. There are no existing plans to bring legislation
to mandate this training.</p>
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