Cornwall taxis

Taxi travel overview

Many taxi companies operating throughout Cornwall are accessible to wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. You can visit the Cornwall Council website for a list of licensed taxi operators who are able to carry passengers in wheelchairs in your local area.

Private Hire Vehicles

Private Hire Vehicles must be prebooked. They are not licensed to be flagged down or hired from taxi ranks. They must display a green plate with the licence number. As they do not have a meter fitted, you should agree the fare before travel. 

Hackney Carriages

Hackney Carriages can be hailed in the street or hired at a taxi rank. Drivers will perform a risk assessment for less standard wheelchairs to establish if they can be transported safely. 

Wheelchair-Accessible Taxis

Wheelchair-Accessible Taxis can be black cabs, wheelchair-adapted vehicles, people carriers, minibuses or converted small vans. They may have a ramp or a passenger lift to assist a wheelchair user with entry and exit. Seat belts or lap belts should be available to keep a wheelchair user steady.

Selected accessible taxi companies

Cornwall Council has created a list of licensed taxis, by area and with contact details, which are able to carry passengers in their wheelchairs. The list only includes vehicles which allow a wheelchair user to safely enter, exit and travel whilst seated in a wheelchair.

The vehicles listed may not be able to carry all types of occupied wheelchairs. It is therefore recommended that you inform the taxi operator of any access requirements and specify your mobility equipment at the time of booking.

Find further details are on the Cornwall Council website.

Planning a journey

• Book your taxi in advance, especially at busy times. 
• If you are booking a Private Hire Vehicle, ask for the price in advance.  
• If you need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, ensure that you specify any access requirements and your mobility equipment at the time of booking.

Keeping safe when travelling 

• Wheelchair-accessible taxis must be equipped to secure a wheelchair when the cab is in motion. Seat belts or lap belts should be available to keep the wheelchair user steady. 
• Carry a charged mobile phone to call a taxi operator for your return journey.
• If using a Hackney Carriage, ensure the meter is turned on at the start of the journey and turned off at the end.
• Taxis must display a taxi licence plate on the vehicle. You can ask to see an operator’s licence if you have any doubts. Hackney carriage licence plates issued by Cornwall Council vary in colour according to the district:
  • Penwith – green plate
  • Kerrier – light blue plate
  • Carrick – red plate
  • Restormel – yellow plate
  • North Cornwall – blue plate
  • Caradon – blue plate
• When booking a Private Hire Vehicle, ask for the name of the driver and the colour of the vehicle. Private Hire Vehicles licensed by Cornwall Council can be identified by a white licence plate on the rear of the vehicle.

Operator obligations

The law states that to comply with the Equalities Act 2010, licensed drivers are under a legal duty to carry wheelchair users, guide, hearing and other prescribed assistance dogs in their vehicles without additional charge. 

The law expects drivers:

• to carry the passenger while in a wheelchair
• not to make any additional charge for doing so
• if the passenger chooses to sit in a passenger seat, to carry the wheelchair
• to take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the passenger is carried in safety and reasonable comfort; and
• to give the passenger such mobility assistance as is reasonable

All taxi and minicab drivers must make sure they do not discriminate against disabled people and should not treat them less favourably than non-disabled customers. 

They should also make reasonable adjustments to ensure you receive the same services, as far as this is possible, as someone who is not disabled.

If a taxi driver does discriminate against you, you should complain to your local authority’s Licensing Department.

You can view further information on the GOV.UK website.