Section 173 — Interpretation

(1) In this Chapter—“accessibility requirements” has the meaning given in section 167(5); “assistance dog” means— a dog which has been trained to guide a blind person; a dog which has been trained to assist a deaf person; a dog which has been trained by a prescribed charity to assist a disabled person who has a disability that consists of epilepsy or otherwise affects the person's mobility, manual dexterity, physical co-ordination or ability to lift, carry or otherwise move everyday objects; a dog of a prescribed category which has been trained to assist a disabled person who has a disability (other than one falling within paragraph (c)) of a prescribed kind; [F1 “operator”, in relation to a private hire vehicle—means a person who holds a licence under—section 55 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, section 3 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, or a provision of a local enactment equivalent to the provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii); and in section 167A, also includes a person who holds a licence under Part I of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 in relation to the use of premises for the carrying on of a business which consists to any extent of the taking of bookings, by any means of communication, from members of the public for the hire of a private hire car licenced under section 10 of that Act; “private hire vehicle”—means a vehicle licensed under—section 48 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, section 7 of the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, or a provision of a local enactment equivalent to the provision mentioned in sub-paragraph (i) or (ii); and in sections 164A to 167A, also includes a private hire car licensed under section 10 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982;] “taxi”— means a vehicle which is licensed under section 37 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 or section 6 of the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869, and in sections 162 and [F2 164A] to 167, also includes a taxi licensed under section 10 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, but does not include a vehicle drawn by a horse or other animal; “taxi accessibility regulations” has the meaning given by section 160(1).

(2) A power to make regulations under paragraph (c) or (d) of the definition of “assistance dog” in subsection (1) is exercisable by the Secretary of State.

Amendment notes

1. F1 Words in s. 173(1) inserted (28.6.2022) by Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022 (c. 29), ss. 5(5)(a), 6(2)
2. F2 Word in s. 173(1) substituted (28.6.2022) by Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022 (c. 29), ss. 5(5)(b), 6(2)