Devon taxis

Taxi travel overview

Many taxi companies operating throughout Devon are accessible to wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. You can visit your local district council website for a list of licensed taxi operators in your 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

Each district council in Devon holds a list of licensed taxi operators, including wheelchair-accessible taxis in your local area which can be viewed via the links below.  

East Devon 

East Devon District Council website 

North Devon 

North Devon District Council website 

South Hams 

South Hams District Council website 

Torridge 

Torridge District Council website 

West Devon 

West Devon District Council website 

Exeter 

Exeter District Council website 

Fare Car

Fare Car is a shared public transport service. Passengers book and pay separately but share a timetabled journey. Several Fare Car schemes operate in selected areas of Devon which cover designated rural areas and serve specific points in the nearest main town, such as a supermarket or hospital. The fare is slightly above the normal bus fare. 

Fare Car is operated by local taxi operators by formal agreement with Devon County Council. 

Contact: 0345 155 1015 or devonbus@devon.gov.uk

W.A.V.E (Wheelchair Access Vehicles Exeter)

W.A.V.E (Wheelchair Access Vehicles Exeter) can accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters. National travel may be booked in advance.

Contact: 01392 25 25 25 or info@waveexeter.co.uk

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.
• Taxis must display a taxi licence plate on the vehicle; the colour and design vary between districts. You can ask to see an operator’s licence if you have any doubts.  
• When booking a Private Hire Vehicle, ask for the name of the driver and the colour of the vehicle.   
• 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.

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.