Citation

1.  This Order may be cited as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Commencement No. 8) Order 2000.

Coming into force of sections 37 and 38 of the Act

2.  Section 37 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (carrying of guide dogs and hearing dogs in taxis) shall come into force in England and Wales—

(a)on 1st December 2000 for the purposes of—

(i)the issue of certificates of exemption by licensing authorities pursuant to section 37(5), (6) and (7); and

(ii)the prescription of the notices of exemption pursuant to section 37(8)(b); and

(b)on 31st March 2001 for all other purposes.

3.  Section 38 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (appeal against refusal of exemption certificate) shall come into force in England and Wales on 1st December 2000.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force sections 37 and 38 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in relation to England and Wales.

Section 37 imposes a duty on taxi drivers to carry in their taxis a guide dog, hearing dog or other prescribed category of dog when it accompanies the hirer. It also provides for a taxi driver to be exempted from that duty on medical grounds if a certificate of exemption has been issued to him by a licensing authority.

Section 37 comes into force on 1st December 2000 for the purpose of enabling licensing authorities to deal with applications for exemptions and the prescription by the Secretary of State of the notice of exemption. It comes into force on 31st March 2001 for all other purposes.

Section 38 provides for a right of appeal against the refusal of a licensing authority to issue a certificate of exemption. The section comes into force on 1st December 2000.

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Zone 1/18, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR (telephone 020 7944 6100). A copy has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament.

Note as to Earlier Commencement Orders

(This note is not part of the Order)