Taxi driver fined for refusing to carry guide dogs

A taxi driver who refused to carry assistance dogs for two blind customers in February 2025 has been fined.

Nozir Rahman (31), who lives in Chester and works for KingKabs, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court on Wednesday 10 September 2025 to one offence under section 170 of the Equality Act 2010 of refusing to carry a blind customer who had an assistance dog with him.

On the day of the offence, the claimant’s partner had called KingKabs to book a taxi to Chester Railway Station explaining that they both had assistance dogs. Mr Rahman arrived in his taxi but refused to carry the dogs and then drove away.

KingKabs reported Mr Rahman to the Cheshire West and Chester Licensing Authority, and the defendant was then interviewed under caution.

The defendant gave three different reasons for not carrying the dogs - to the complainant, to the taxi company and then to officers of the Council when he was interviewed.

He received fines totalling £580, including a victim surcharge of £80 and a contribution to prosecution costs of £300.

Taxi drivers have a legal obligation to accept assistance dogs unless they have a specific medical exemption certificate issued under section 171 of the Equalities Act 2010. Drivers are made aware of these legal requirements during their training.

Mr Rahman will now be required to go before the members of the General Licensing Sub-Committee which will consider whether he is “fit and proper” to continue to be a licensed driver.