Overview

This bill mandates disability equality training for all taxi and private hire vehicle drivers in England and Wales to ensure better service for disabled passengers. Licensing authorities will be required to make completion of an approved training course a condition of licensing or renewal.

Description

The bill requires licensing authorities in England and Wales to make disability equality training a condition for granting or renewing taxi and private hire vehicle driver licenses. This includes authorities operating under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, and the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998.

Training Requirements

Applicants must complete an "approved" course focusing on the rights and needs of disabled passengers. These courses must be approved by the licensing authority, be accessible within a reasonable distance, have published content and enrollment information, and have been completed within ten years of the application date. Licensing authorities must review their training requirements every five years, consulting relevant stakeholders including disability organizations.

Course Approval

Licensing authorities can approve courses with differing content depending on the type of license, vehicle, or passenger. The Secretary of State can provide guidance on course content and arrangements. The bill allows for consideration of previously completed equivalent training.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The cost will likely depend on the development and implementation of training programs by local authorities. There may be some associated costs for the Secretary of State in providing guidance. No figures are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Drivers: Required to complete disability equality training.
• Licensing Authorities: Responsible for implementing the training requirement and approving courses.
• Disabled Passengers: Expected to benefit from improved service and accessibility.
• Disability Organizations: Consulted on training content and requirements.
• Training Providers: May see increased demand for disability equality training courses.

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