If you've ever been refused by a taxi driver because you use a wheelchair, you're not alone — it's a real and documented problem, and it's also illegal. We want to be upfront about two things on this page: we take wheelchair access seriously and don't refuse bookings on this basis, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles genuinely do need to be arranged in advance rather than guaranteed at short notice. Being honest about that second point is more useful to you than a vague promise we can't back up.
No. We don't refuse bookings on this basis, and doing so would in any case be against the law.
No — the same distance-based fare plus £5 pick-up/drop-off charge applies, regardless of vehicle type.
No, and we won't pretend otherwise — it needs advance booking so we can confirm the right vehicle for your journey.
No — this has been illegal in England since April 2017 under the Equality Act 2010, with fines and licence revocation for drivers who breach it.
C Line Cars provides wheelchair-accessible transport to Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Spire Tunbridge Wells Hospital, arranged on request rather than dispatched from a general rank. When you book, tell us your wheelchair type — manual or powered, and roughly its folded size if it needs to fold for the vehicle — along with whether an attendant is travelling with you, so we can confirm the right vehicle before your appointment.
We'd rather be straightforward with you than promise something we can't reliably deliver: wheelchair-accessible vehicles need to be arranged for your specific journey, so please book as early as you can — ideally the day before rather than on the day — especially for early morning appointments or during busy periods on the A21.
What we can promise plainly is this: we don't refuse a booking because someone uses a wheelchair, and we don't charge more for it. Both of those are the legal minimum any operator should meet, and we treat them as the baseline, not a selling point to boast about.
Since April 2017, refusing to carry a wheelchair user, or charging them more than another passenger for the same journey, has been illegal in England, Wales and Scotland under the Equality Act 2010. Drivers who breach this can face fines and have their licence revoked by the relevant council. If you've experienced a refusal or overcharging from any operator, you're entitled to report it to that operator's local licensing authority.
For more on disabled passengers' transport rights, see Transport for All, a UK disability transport charity. Updated September 2026.
Every Hackney Carriage and private hire driver and vehicle operating in this area is licensed by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council under its Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. Drivers of wheelchair-accessible vehicles must additionally pass an enhanced practical test that includes a wheelchair-handling exercise.
If you'd like to see a driver's or vehicle's licence details on the day, just ask. Full details of the Council's licensing policy are published at tunbridgewells.gov.uk.
| Journey | Est. Fare |
|---|---|
| Home → hospital appointment | Quoted on booking — same rate as any journey |
| Return trip | Quoted on booking |
Call 01892308087 for an exact price — fares are based on distance, plus the standard £5 pick-up and drop-off charge, with no additional charge for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
When a wheelchair-accessible vehicle has been booked and confirmed for your journey, yes — the ramp will be used as needed. We take wheelchair access seriously and don't refuse bookings because someone uses a wheelchair; the key is confirming your accessible vehicle in advance so the right car is sent.
No. Our fares are worked out the same way for every journey — by distance, plus the standard £5 pick-up and drop-off charge — regardless of vehicle type. Charging disabled passengers more than other passengers for the same journey is also against the law under the Equality Act 2010.
As much notice as you can give us. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are arranged for your specific journey rather than simply dispatched from a passing rank, so booking ahead — ideally the day before rather than on the day — gives us the best chance of confirming the right vehicle for your appointment time.
No. Since April 2017, refusing to carry a wheelchair user, or charging them more, has been illegal in England, Wales and Scotland under the Equality Act 2010, with penalties including fines and licence revocation for drivers who breach this. If you experience a refusal from any operator, you're entitled to report it to the relevant council licensing authority.
Tell us the full picture when you book — the wheelchair type, whether an attendant is travelling too, and any additional equipment — and we'll confirm whether it fits in the vehicle arranged for your journey before you travel.
A WAV is a vehicle fitted with a ramp or lift so a passenger can travel while remaining in their wheelchair, rather than transferring into a standard car seat. Availability and the exact setup can vary by vehicle, which is why we confirm details with you at booking.
It needs advance booking rather than being guaranteed on the day at short notice. We're honest about this rather than overpromising: call as early as you can, and we'll confirm availability for your journey time before you rely on it.
Tell us the make, model or approximate folded size when you book and we'll confirm whether it fits the vehicle we're arranging for you, rather than assume either way.
C Line Cars Tunbridge Wells Hospital Taxis is a private hire provider serving Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas with over 12 years experience.
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