Taxi Driver Online

Could one you more knowledgeable bods on here please supply me with either the wording; or where I can find it; for the legal definition of M1 spec for Hackney Carriages.

The reason that I ask is - to my limited understanding to be M1 spec; a vehicle must have side loading wheelchair access; BUT what happens if the vehicle complies with this and you then add an additional rear wheelchair lift? Is the vehicle still M1 or is then rear loading? Can it be both? And if so which takes preference re licencing?

M1 means that the car or van has been crash tested and meets European crash standards, this test is carried out at sertain speeds, on frontal and side crash simulations, and if the actual cabin deforms more than the permitted parameters the car/van will not be granted a safety certificate.
So all new vehicles must pass this test before they are allowed to start manufacture.
As for adding a tail lift or converting the car / van there is no problems, as the manufacturer or converter will have been granted a test certificate by the government test centre, where you can even take one of those self build kit cars to be tested.

I believe the specification must be granted to the converted vehicle, not the van/people carrier it is based on. If the conversion is not tested in its own right the vehicle is N1 spec and unsuitable for use with some authorities (including Aberdeen)

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Automotive's VW Sharan conversion is M1 spec. So are some versions of Fiat Dublo and Ford Tourneo. All are rear W/C access. Unless the spec has changed, I don't think it matters as to how the W/C is loaded. Only the results of the crash tests. Any alteration to the structure of the vehicle would normally invalidate the M1 spec. Better checking with your LA first before you spend any dough.

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