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Running Boards and Side Steps on a taxi

We have recently been getting a lot of queries about side steps for taxis and there seems to be a little confusion about what has been passed in the (sometimes recent) past and what is the present requirement.

As you all know we are in constant contact with the guys at DFI and the DVA to keep ourselves up to date and based upon recent requests, I have looked for and received clarification which has been summarised below;

If you are in a class A,B,C or D taxi, the maximium allowed first step into and out of your vehicle must be no more than 435mm. If "the highest point your foot must raise to get into your car" is higher than 435 you will need a step. This step must measure at least 95 mm deep outwards from the perpindicular and it must have a color contrasted edge of between 45 and 50 mm.

If you have a class B taxi, you will also require to have one step that is no more than 380mm from the ground. This step must be at least 200mm deep and 400 mm wide with a band of contrasting colour of at least 50mm around the edge; due to the required depth this will typically be a retractable step. If you require an accessibility step you will also require a slip-resistant grab handle at this entrance which is a contrasting colour.

Both these steps need to be slip resistant and not obviously sloped. They must also not protrude beyond the folded mirror.

As noted above, this is a summarised answer, so please make sure you get clarification of your specific needs before you do anything.

If you have any queries please phone and ask for Anton and I will do my best to clarify anything I can.

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