A decision on whether Highland Council should hold a list of designated wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles (PHCS) has been deferred by councillors.
The list would be to comply with the Equality Act 2010 to eliminate discrimination and advance equal opportunities.
Councillors heard that it is not mandatory that all taxis and phcs are wheelchair accessible, nor that licensing authorities maintain a list of wheelchair accessible vehicles (Wavs) in their area.
But having a designated list of Wavs does impose statutory duties on the drivers, and failure to comply with them a criminal offence liable to a fine of up to £1000.
At the moment, if a wheelchair user feels they have been discriminated against they have to raise a civil court action themselves against the driver.
The list also allows wheelchair users to see what Wavs there are in the area.
In Highland there are 32 Wavs licensed as taxis, and 18 Wavs licensed as private hire cars.
Councillor Emma Knox, who has some mobility challenges, said she had reservations.
She said: “If the list is open to penalties it might discourage people from adding more accessible taxis when everything should be as accessible as possible.”
Councillor Andrew Jarvie, who chairs the Highland Licensing committee and is a wheelchair user himself, successfully proposed the item be deferred for case studies from councils which have implemented the list.
