A licensed driver must carry an assistance dog at no extra charge, but the law does not oblige anyone to carry an ordinary pet. Whether your dog, cat or carrier-boxed rabbit can ride in a taxi or minicab in Staffordshire is therefore decided by the driver or the booking firm, and the sensible route is to ask when you book rather than at the kerb. This page separates the one case where the law says yes from the many where the answer is up to the person driving.
The one case where the answer is always yes
The Equality Act 2010 protects passengers who travel with an assistance dog. Section 168 covers taxis and section 170 covers private hire vehicles: the driver must carry the dog, let it stay with its owner and not charge extra for it. The only lawful exception is a driver who holds a medical exemption certificate, which has to be displayed in the vehicle. Our guide to wheelchair users and assistance dogs in taxis sets out the duty, the exemption process and what to do if you are refused.
The term "assistance dog" has a defined meaning. Section 173 of the Act lists dogs trained to guide a blind person, dogs trained to assist a deaf person, and dogs trained by a prescribed charity or falling in a prescribed category to help a disabled person. A pet that gives comfort, however valued, is not automatically within that definition. You can read the wording on legislation.gov.uk, and it is worth checking the current version because the Secretary of State has power to prescribe the later categories.
Everyone else: it is the driver's or firm's call
For a family dog, a cat in a carrier or a small animal on its way to the vet, no general rule requires a driver to say yes. Nor does any general rule forbid it. In practice three things decide the answer:
- The driver's own preference. Some drivers are allergic, nervous around animals or worried about hair on upholstery, and are entitled to decline an ordinary pet.
- The booking firm's policy. Many operators set their own terms for animals and some add a cleaning charge. These are company terms, not council rules, so ask what they are.
- The condition of the vehicle. A cab has to be kept clean and fit for the next passenger, so a driver who agrees may still ask for the animal to be contained.
Councils sometimes put their own wording into driver and vehicle conditions, including limits on animals a driver may carry for themselves. We could not confirm any Cannock Chase condition that bars or requires carrying a passenger's pet, so treat the council's current policy on its taxi policy page as the document to check, and do not assume either way.
What to settle before the day
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Will the firm carry a pet at all? | Telling the operator at booking avoids a refusal on the doorstep, when it is hardest to find another car |
| Is there a charge for animals? | Any extra charge for a pet is the firm's term, not a fare set by the council, so get the amount in advance |
| What size and type of animal? | A small dog in a carrier raises fewer concerns than a large dog on the seat, and an unusual animal may be declined |
| Will it travel in a carrier or on a harness? | This helps both safety and cleanliness |
| Is the journey metered? | On a metered taxi trip, ask whether any waiting time at a vet or kennel will run on the meter |
If you are hiring a hackney carriage on a rank, ask the driver before loading the animal. If the cab was sent to your home by a private hire firm, your booking is the place to mention it; a driver who turns up unaware may refuse, and you may lose the slot.
Keeping the animal safe in the car
Rule 57 of the Highway Code says dogs and other animals in a vehicle should be suitably restrained so they cannot distract the driver or injure themselves or anyone else if the vehicle stops quickly. It names a seat belt harness, a pet carrier, a dog cage or a dog guard as ways to do it. The rule is advice rather than a stand-alone offence, but an animal that distracts a driver can still lead to trouble, and a driver can reasonably insist on restraint. Bring your own carrier or harness; do not expect the cab to have one.
- Put small animals in a closed carrier on the back seat or floor, never on your lap.
- Clip a larger dog to a harness attached to a seat belt, and keep it on the back seat.
- Take a towel or blanket for the seat, and a bag for any mess.
- Exercise the dog beforehand so it is less likely to be sick or need a stop.
- Do not let the animal move between seats, or put its head into the driver's space.
If there is mess or damage
A driver or firm may ask you to pay for cleaning when a pet leaves hair or a mess, and some do say so in their terms. There is no council scale for this that we could verify, so it is a matter between you and the firm. Ask for any charge to be explained and written down, and for a receipt; paying for a taxi, receipts and deposits explains what you can expect in general. Drivers are in turn expected to treat passengers courteously, which includes being clear about what they will and will not carry; what a licensed driver must and must not do covers the wider standards.
Note that assistance dog owners can never be charged for the dog's presence. A cleaning charge demanded because an assistance dog was in the car is not the same as an ordinary pet charge, and if you believe you were treated unlawfully, record the details and complain.
When a driver says no
Refusing an ordinary pet is usually within a driver's discretion, so there is rarely a complaint to make. Refusing an assistance dog without an exemption certificate is different. Note the date, time, plate and badge number and the name of the firm, then follow the steps in taxi complaints and lost property. Cannock Chase says its Licensing Unit can look at issues with licensed drivers and vehicles, including the cleanliness of a vehicle. If you lose a lead, toy or carrier in the cab, that same guide covers lost property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a taxi driver have to take my pet dog?
No. The legal duty applies to assistance dogs. For an ordinary pet, the decision rests with the driver and the booking firm, so ask when you book.
Can a driver refuse a guide dog?
Only if the driver holds a valid medical exemption certificate, which must be displayed in the vehicle. Without one, refusing a guide or other assistance dog is unlawful, and the driver cannot charge extra for it.
Can I be charged extra for taking my dog?
For an assistance dog, no. For an ordinary pet, a firm may set its own terms, including a cleaning charge. That is a company term rather than a council fare, so ask for the amount before you travel.
Should my dog wear a harness in a cab?
Yes. Highway Code rule 57 advises restraining animals so they cannot distract the driver or be hurt in a sudden stop, and a harness, carrier or guard does that. Bring your own.
Is an emotional support animal covered by the same protection?
Not automatically. The Equality Act definition of an assistance dog in section 173 covers guide dogs, hearing dogs and dogs trained to assist a disabled person in the ways it prescribes. A pet kept for comfort is not covered by that wording alone, so tell the operator in advance.