Duties of passengers of small public service vehicles (SPSV

Rules

What are my responsibilities as a small public service vehicle passenger?

Co-operate with the driver’s instructions: If you are travelling in a SPSV, you are required under Section 40 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 to co-operate with any reasonable request by the driver. This includes wearing a seatbelt, locking the door, behaving in a civilised manner and not asking the driver to take more passengers than they are legally allowed to take.

Under Section 39 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, a driver can ask you to not to enter the vehicle or to leave the vehicle if they have reason for concern. An example of this would be if the driver feels threatened by you or suspects you to be intoxicated. In this case you must obey the driver’s instructions.

Not to damage the vehicle: As a passenger, you must not cause damage to or soil the vehicle in any way. This includes not eating or drinking while travelling.

Not to put the driver at risk: You must not leave any sharp objects in the vehicle that may put the driver in danger. These include syringes or sharp objects. As a passenger of a SPSV you must not behave in any way that may put the driver at risk or compromise their safety.

To obey the rules regarding the carriage of animals: There are only two circumstances in which you may be allowed to take an animal on board a taxi, hackney or limousine. Firstly, if you are visually impaired and require the use of a guide dog. In this case the driver is obliged under Section 39 of the Act to take the dog onboard.

Secondly, if the animal is in urgent need of a vet. In this case, however, while the driver is not obliged to take the animal, but they may do so if they agree.

Paying the appropriate fare: If you are travelling in a taxi, you must pay the maximum fare as shown on the taximeter at the end of the journey (if the journey is within the taximeter area). If you are travelling outside the taximeter area in a taxi, or travelling in a hackney cab or limousine, you must agree to pay the fare before the journey begins, including any booking fee. You must also be able to prove to the driver that you can afford to pay the fare or give a deposit before the journey begins.