This page provides some useful information about transport facilities for the disabled in Guernsey. For information about the Disabled Badge Scheme that operates in Guernsey please follow the link on the right.

Driving

If you are disabled and are thinking of driving a car we suggest that you first obtain advice about the modifications which may be necessary to the vehicle, and the type of car best suited to your needs. You should consider doing some off-road training before applying for a provisional driving licence. When you are ready to apply for a provisional licence you will be given a brief test by a driving examiner to ensure that you are able to control the car. There is no charge for this test. After you have been trained to drive on the roads you will take the normal driving test, for which the usual fee applies.

Public Transport

Taxis

Most taxis in Guernsey are not specifically designed for the carriage of wheelchairs. However, taxi drivers will help anyone having difficulty getting into or out of their vehicle.  Steve Poole, telephone number 07781 121180 operates a taxi specifically equipped for wheelchairs (London cab).

Buses

The ‘low floor’ buses are designed to carry disabled passengers and have kneeling suspension which allows the entrance of the bus to be lowered to provide even easier access. This feature combined with a wheelchair ramp and a dedicated wheelchair space make the buses fully accessible for the vast majority of wheelchair users (although it should be noted that a wheelchair which is more than 75cm wide, or a wheelchair and occupant with a combined weight of more than 300 kilograms, cannot be carried).

The ramp is manually operated by the bus driver when the suspension is lowered, and if there is a pavement available, the ramp is almost level. If there is no pavement available there will be a slight incline. The wheelchair space is on the right hand side of the bus as you board, just past the entrance. There is sufficient room to manoeuvre the wheelchair into the designated space. The wheelchair needs to be positioned facing towards the rear of the bus, up against an 'ironing board' backrest. The brakes of the wheelchair then need to be applied. A bar armrest is subsequently lowered to the left of the wheelchair to provide additional security for the passenger. This layout is the standard configuration used on scheduled service buses throughout the United Kingdom.

Even though these buses replace nearly all of the old scheduled fleet, which do not provide wheelchair access, it is advised that you contact Island Coachways (Tel. 720210) prior to your journey to ensure that wheelchair accessible buses are operating on the services you wish to travel on.

Invalid Carrages

The law on invalid carriages in Guernsey is similar to that in the U.K. Low-powered invalid carriages need not be registered nor display registration plates, and are exempt from motor tax. Users do not need driving licences. However, users of all mechanically propelled invalid carriages must be covered by third party insurance. When using an invalid carriage on the roads you must follow the normal "rules of the road", such as obeying traffic lights.

The Law provides for two classes of low-powered invalid carriages:-

Class A carriages must weigh no more than 113.4 kg (250lb) and be incapable of exceeding 4mph. They may be used anywhere by anyone without age limit.

Class B carriages must weigh no more than 150kg (330lb), and be incapable of exceeding 8mph. The minimum age for their use is 14 years. When used on pavements or in pedestrian areas they must not go faster than 4 mph.

Heavier or faster carriages are classed as motor vehicles, and are subject to the normal laws relating to driving licences, registration and taxation.

All invalid carriages used on the roads must have lighting if used at night, and be equipped with direction indicators. Class B carriages must also have a horn and a rear-view mirror. However, the Committee is empowered to make exceptions, and anyone concerned about any of the provisions should enquire at the Committee's offices (tel: 01481 243400).

Crossing the road

Pelican crossings are equipped with sonic alarms for the benefit of the partially sighted and blind. No attempt should be made to start crossing the road until the sonic alarm is sounding, nor after the alarm has stopped. But once started, the pedestrian has priority and there is no need to rush if the alarm has stopped when only partly across the road. Please note that at some junctions where there are pedestrian-operated traffic light signals, there are no sonic alarms.

Members of staff are always pleased to assist you and provide advice.