Department of the Environment
Transport and the Regions - Mobility Unit

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1995
THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS FOR TAXIS

PART TWO - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Detailed Requirements

(See questionnaire B1-B6.)

Requirement No.6 - Seats
FOR INCLUSION IN REGULATIONS FOR ACCOMPANYING GUIDANCE EXPLANATION
6. Seats    
6.1 All seats used by disabled passengers must be forward or rear facing.   Side facing seats can make it difficult for some disabled passengers to retain their balance.
6.2 All seats for disabled passengers must have a minimum headroom above the highest part of the seat cushion of at least 900mm.   This requirement ensure that there is sufficient headroom for disabled passengers to use seats.
6.3 To provide adequate knee room for disabled people the distance between the front surface of all seat backs and the back(s) in front or any obstruction must be at least 650mm. See diagram 4 This requirement ensures minimum legroom for disabled passengers.
6.4 To provide adequate room for disabled passenger(s) feet there must be clear floor space in front of the seat of 300mm long, 250mm wide and 80mm high. See diagram 5 These dimensions ensure there is adequate space for a disabled passenger’s feet and leaves a clear space free from intrusions.
6.5 Where seats face each other the distance between the seat backs measured in a horizontal plane through the centreline of the individual seating position along the top surface of the seat cushion must be not less than 1300mm. The distance between the front edges of the seat cushions must be a minimum of 425mm. See diagram 6 These dimensions ensure adequate knee room for disabled passengers sitting in seats which face another seat.
6.6 When the features of the seat are achieve all of the above design requirements with all seating in one particular configuration.   This to ensure that all the requirements are met with one particular seating configuration.
6.7 Any tip up seats must have a backrest of a minimum height of 350mm measured from the rear of the seat cushion. For other seats the minimum height measured the same way must be 600mm.   All seats should have a backrest of sufficient height to assist the safety and comfort of disabled passengers.
6.8 Any seat that faces the rear must be fitted with a head rest.   Head rests assist the safety and comfort of disabled passengers.
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Last updated 5 August 1997