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Wheelchair accessible taxis in Wales
Ask for a WAV when you book. A standard saloon may not take a wheelchair. Drivers of designated wheelchair-accessible taxis must carry the passenger and must not charge extra for the chair.
Source: Equality Act 2010, section 165 · Checked: 2026-10-01 · Wales
Every council in Wales licenses taxis. Not every licensed car is a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV). Ask when you book.
The law
Under Section 165 of the Equality Act 2010, drivers of designated wheelchair accessible hackney carriages and private hire vehicles must:
- Carry the passenger while in the wheelchair
- Not make any additional charge for doing so
- Carry the wheelchair if the passenger chooses to sit in a passenger seat
- Take reasonable steps to ensure the passenger is carried safely and comfortably
How to find a WAV
- Hackney ranks — some vehicles on city ranks are WAVs. That is luck, not a guarantee, especially outside Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham.
- Pre-book — call the operator and request a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Give notice if possible.
- Council lists — licensing pages often list designated vehicles.
No extra charge
The tariff is the tariff. A wheelchair user should pay the same metered fare as any other passenger for the same journey. If you are charged extra on a designated WAV, report it to the council that licensed the vehicle — see how to complain about a taxi fare.
Common questions
- Must a Welsh taxi take a wheelchair?
- Drivers of vehicles designated as wheelchair-accessible must carry wheelchair users and must not add a surcharge (Equality Act 2010, section 165). A standard saloon may not take a wheelchair.
- How do I book a wheelchair accessible taxi?
- Say you need a WAV when you book. Rank luck is uneven, especially outside cities. Give notice if you can.
Also know
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