Yes, you can take a dog in a minicab in London, but the rules depend on the kind of dog. Assistance dogs must be carried by law, at no extra charge. Pet dogs are accepted at the operator’s and driver’s discretion, which is why telling the operator when you book is what makes the difference between a smooth journey and a driver who has to turn you away at the door.
This guide covers what the law says, what to mention when you book, how your dog should travel, and which vehicle to choose.
Assistance dogs: the law
Under the Equality Act 2010, private hire operators and drivers must accept a booking from a disabled passenger travelling with an assistance dog, and must carry the dog with them. They cannot charge extra for it. That applies to guide dogs, hearing dogs and other trained assistance dogs.
The only exception is a driver who holds a medical exemption certificate, for example because of a severe allergy. In London these are issued by Transport for London, and a driver with one must display an exemption notice in the vehicle. A driver or operator who refuses an assistance dog without one is committing an offence and can be fined up to £1,000.
It still helps to mention the dog when you book. The operator can then send a car with enough floor space for the dog to settle comfortably.
Pet dogs: tell the operator when you book
For pet dogs there is no legal duty to carry them. Each operator sets its own policy, and some drivers may not be able to take animals at all. If you turn up at the car with a dog the driver was not told about, they may be entitled to refuse the journey.
When you book, say:
- that you are travelling with a dog, and how many
- its size, or its breed if that is easier
- whether it will be in a carrier or crate, or on a lead with a harness
- whether you have a blanket for the seat or floor
With an online booking, put this in the notes for the driver. With a phone booking, ask the operator to add it.
How your dog should travel
The Highway Code says animals in a vehicle should be suitably restrained so they cannot distract the driver or injure anyone if the car stops suddenly. A seat belt harness, a pet carrier or a crate all do the job. A dog loose on the back seat or sitting on a lap does not.
Small dogs travel most comfortably in a carrier on the floor or the seat. Larger dogs usually sit in the footwell or on a blanket on the back seat, clipped into a seat belt harness. Some owners bring a crate for the boot of an estate or MPV, which is often the calmest option for a nervous dog on a longer journey.
Bring a blanket or towel to protect the seats, particularly after a walk or on a wet day. A few practical things help too:
- give your dog a walk before a longer trip
- bring water and a bowl for anything over an hour
- keep the lead attached when getting in and out, especially at stations and airports
Choosing the right vehicle
A saloon is fine for one small or medium dog with its owner. For a large dog, more than one dog, or a dog travelling in a crate, ask for an estate or an MPV, which gives the dog more floor space and leaves room for luggage. If you are going to the airport or moving house with a pet, mention the luggage as well, so the car has room for both.
Common journeys with dogs
- Vet appointments. Book the return at the same time if you know roughly how long the appointment will take, or arrange to call when you are ready.
- Groomers and daycare. Regular drop-offs can be booked in advance at the same time each week.
- Airports and pet relocation. Pets flying as cargo usually have to be checked in at a separate cargo or animal reception area, not the passenger terminal, so check the address with the airline or pet shipper before you book the car.
- Days out and moving house. Longer journeys need a bigger car and a few planned stops.
Pet-friendly journeys with Abetta
Abetta takes cats, dogs and small animals on pre-booked and same-day journeys across London, in saloons, estates and MPVs, and carries assistance dogs on every journey at no extra charge. We ask passengers to bring a blanket or a suitable carrier. See our pet-friendly transfers or call 020 8445 1111.
