Conditions of Fitness

They were written under the guidance of W. Worby Beaumont, who was recommended to the Public Carriage Office by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.

The rules received minor changes to fit in with the changes in motor vehicle design, but a second major review was launched by the government after the turmoil surrounding the introduction of the minicab.

[1][2] In 2002, the Conditions of Fitness, or more specifically the turning circle was challenged by a group of people who were adapting existing commercial vehicles into wheelchair accessible taxis for the provincial market.

They wanted to enter the London market and argued that, with modern power steering the turning circle, which was a barrier to their entry was no longer necessary.

[3] The conditions require that all vehicles manufactured for use as licensed taxi cabs in London must be inspected for compliance with the standard before use.