Kent taxis

County advice overview

Many taxi companies operating throughout Kent are accessible to wheelchair users.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis are usually black cabs, wheelchair-adapted vehicles, people carriers, minibuses or converted small vans. 

They may have a ramp or a passenger lift to assist the wheelchair user with getting into the vehicle, which is far easier than transferring from a wheelchair to a car seat and dismantling the wheelchair for the journey.

Always check your accessibility requirements with the individual taxi operator before booking your journey.

Selected accessible taxi companies 

Ashford and Tenterden

E7 Seater Taxis
Wheelchair-accessible taxis; request on booking.
Contact: 07934 363682 or email e7seater.taxis@hotmail.co.uk

Canterbury

Canterbury Galaxy Taxis
Wheelchair-accessible taxis; request on booking.
Contact: 01227 450 150 or email galaxy450150@gmail.com

Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham, Faversham and Maidstone  

ABC Taxis
Wheelchair-accessible taxis. 
Contact: 01634 840 840 

Dartford

The Wheelchair Taxi company
Full ramp access so a customer can remain in a wheelchair.
Contact: 07765342701

Deal 

Ai Castle Taxis
Wheelchair friendly; specify during booking. 
Contact: 01304363636

Dover 

Dover Royal Taxis
Wheelchair taxis available on request of call. 
Contact: 01304 210 210

Folkestone & Hythe

Folkestone Taxi
Contact: 01303252000

Mid-Kent including: Aylesford, Snodland, West Malling, Borough Green

Place2Place Taxi Service
Call to ask about wheelchair accessibility. 
Contact: 01622 791500

Sheerness to Sittingbourne area  

Sealine Taxis
Wheelchair users must specify at time of booking.
Contact: 01795 50 99 99

Sittingbourne

Sittingbourne cabs  
Sittingbourne Cabs have a ramp and secure system to transport you in your wheelchair or scooter.
Contact: 01795 426600

Thanet

Andrews Taxis
Folded wheelchairs only. 
Contact: 07563 563 563

Tunbridge wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Paddock Wood, Edenbridge

Guardian Taxi
Wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Airport transfers available.
Contact: 01892 800 300

Whitstable or Herne Bay

Abacus Cars
Wheelchair accessibility available – request on booking. 
Contact Whitstable: 01227277728
Contact Herne Bay: 01227 283666

Planning a journey

• Book a licenced vehicle in advance and use a trusted company or driver.  
• When booking a taxi from a firm which is not solely a wheelchair specialist, ensure you mention at the time of booking that you will need an accessible car. 
• Check that your destination is accessible before leaving for your journey.
• When booking in advance, keep a record of your phone, email or app booking and your journey information.

Keeping safe when travelling

Many taxi companies now offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles, which you should specify when booking if required.

As wheelchairs are carefully designed to support a disabled person, wheelchair-accessible taxis allow disabled people to stay in the position that is best for their body and posture.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis must be equipped to secure the wheelchair when the cab is in motion. Seat belts or lap belts should be available to keep the wheelchair user steady.

Wheelchair-accessible taxis are adding different forms of lighting to help the visually impaired.

All the equipment in a wheelchair taxi should be regularly tested by the driver to ensure it remains in good repair.

Hackney Carriages

These vehicles generally look like London style cabs and all have an illuminated TAXI sign on the roof. Taxis can be hailed in the street or hired at taxi ranks. 

Hackney carriages are wheelchair accessible, although drivers may not be able to carry all types of wheelchairs. Drivers will perform a risk assessment for less standard wheelchairs to establish if they are able to transport them safely.

Operator obligations

The law states that to comply with the Equalities Act 2010, licenced 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 Licencing Department.

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