Pet Friendly Taxi Service: Travelling With Dogs and Cats

Pet friendly taxi bookings are mostly about one thing: telling the operator before the car arrives. A dog that turns up unannounced at pickup can leave a driver unable to help, while the same dog mentioned at the booking stage can usually be planned for. This guide explains whether you can take a dog in a taxi, what to tell the operator, how pets should travel safely, and how the law protects passengers with assistance dogs.

Can you take a dog in a taxi?

Often, yes, but it is not automatic. With a pet dog or cat, the operator and the driver decide whether they can take it, and the answer can depend on the animal, the vehicle and the driver. Some drivers cannot carry animals because of allergies, and some firms ask for pets to travel in a carrier or on a blanket.

A dog friendly taxi, in practice, is simply a taxi booked with the dog in mind. That is why the booking stage matters. Mention the pet when you book and the operator can tell you straight away whether it can be carried, and send a suitable car if it can. Turning up with an unannounced pet risks a driver who has to say no.

What to tell the operator when you book

1. What the animal is. A dog, a cat in a carrier, or a small animal in a cage.
2. Its size. A small dog on a lap and a large dog that needs floor or boot space are very different bookings.
3. How it will travel. In a carrier, on a lead with a harness, or behind a dog guard.
4. Where you are going. A vet appointment, kennels, a cattery or a new home, and whether you need a return.
5. Anything else in the car. Luggage, a crate or other passengers, so the vehicle has room for everyone.

Larger vehicles help with bigger dogs and crates. Our fleet includes MPVs and 8 and 12-seater minibuses, and estate cars are available on request. Our vehicle size guide compares the options.

Assistance dogs: the law is different

Assistance dogs, such as guide dogs and hearing dogs, are not pets in the eyes of the law. Under the Equality Act, licensed drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles have a duty to carry passengers with assistance dogs, and they must not make any additional charge for doing so.

The only exception is a driver who holds a medical exemption certificate. Drivers can apply to the council for an exemption on medical grounds, and the council issues a certificate only with medical evidence. The dog stays under the physical control of its owner, and it is good practice for the driver to ask where the passenger and the dog would like to sit.

Our licensing authority, Surrey Heath Borough Council, sets this out in its guidance for taxi drivers carrying assistance dogs. A driver who refuses an assistance dog without an exemption can face a fine and the loss of their licence. If you travel with an assistance dog, you can still mention it when you book, so the driver knows to expect you both.

How pets should travel in a taxi

Rule 57 of The Highway Code says animals in a vehicle should be suitably restrained, so they cannot distract the driver or be hurt, or hurt you, if the car stops quickly. It lists a seat belt harness, a pet carrier, a dog cage or a dog guard as ways to do it.

Cats need particular care. A cat loose in a moving car can panic, get under the seats or dash out the moment a door opens, so a closed carrier is the only safe option.

Taxis to the vet, kennels and cattery

Vet appointments are the most common reason people book a taxi with a pet. They often need a return journey, and appointments do not always finish on time, so tell the operator roughly how long you expect to be and book the return at the same time if you can.

Kennel and cattery runs often come just before a holiday. If you are dropping a pet off and flying the next day, book both journeys together: the kennel run and your airport transfer. Pets themselves need proper pet travel arrangements to fly, so a taxi to the airport is for you, not your pet. Specialist pet taxi services that carry animals without their owners are a different kind of service from a taxi that carries you with your pet.

Tips for a smooth journey with a pet

• Bring a blanket or towel, especially after a walk or in wet weather.
• Keep your dog on a lead until it is settled in the car and the door is closed.
• Let your dog go to the toilet before the car arrives.
• Bring water on longer journeys.
• Ask about cleaning when you book, in case of muddy paws or accidents.

Travelling with a pet from Camberley

If you want to travel with a pet from Camberley, Frimley, Farnborough, Sandhurst, Bagshot, Yateley, Blackwater or nearby towns, call us on 01276 66888 before you book. Tell us about the animal and the journey, and we will let you know what we can arrange. Passengers with assistance dogs are always welcome. For everything else we run, see our taxi services page, and our guide to taxi vs private hire explains how pre-booked cars work.

Pet friendly taxi FAQs

Can I take my dog in a taxi?

Often, yes, but with a pet dog it is up to the operator and the driver. Mention the dog and its size when you book, so the operator can confirm whether it can be carried and send a suitable vehicle.

Do taxis have to take dogs?

Not pet dogs. Carrying a pet is the operator’s and driver’s decision. Assistance dogs are different: licensed taxi and private hire drivers must carry them, with no extra charge, unless they have a medical exemption certificate from the council.

Can a taxi refuse an assistance dog?

Only if the driver holds a medical exemption certificate issued by the council. Otherwise, licensed taxi and private hire drivers have a duty to carry passengers with assistance dogs and must not charge extra for doing so.

How should a cat travel in a taxi?

Always in a closed, secure pet carrier. A loose cat in a moving car can panic or escape when a door opens.

Does a dog need to be restrained in a taxi?

The Highway Code says animals in a vehicle should be suitably restrained, for example with a seat belt harness, a pet carrier, a dog cage or a dog guard, so they cannot distract the driver or be hurt if the car stops quickly.

Can I get a taxi to the vet with my pet?

Many firms can help if you ask when you book. Tell the operator what the animal is, its size, how it will travel and whether you need a return journey.

Which vehicle is best for a large dog?

A larger vehicle, such as an estate, an MPV or a minibus, gives a big dog or a crate more room. Mention the size of the dog when you book.

Can I take my dog in a Camberley Cars taxi?

Call us on 01276 66888 before you book and tell us about your dog and the journey, and we will let you know what we can arrange. Passengers with assistance dogs are always welcome.