China Issues a National Standard for Accessible Taxi Services, Including Sign Language in Driver Training

October 9 (IT Home) — The State Administration for Market Regulation announced today that it has approved and issued the national standard GB/T 48311—2026, “Specification for accessible taxi operation services,” to guide companies in continuously improving taxi service quality for people with disabilities, older people and others with accessibility needs.

On company management, the standard requires companies to establish an accessible operation service management system and emergency plans, and to include the use of specialised equipment and basic sign-language communication in driver skills training. It requires multiple booking channels, such as mobile apps and staffed hotlines, with the relevant information displayed prominently. Companies must carry out regular quality checks on accessible services, covering booking information services, the condition of specialised equipment, passenger cabin facilities, cleanliness and complaint channels.

On service personnel, the standard requires drivers to contact passengers proactively after accepting an order to confirm key information such as pickup time and whether a wheelchair is being carried. It also calls for thoughtful service for different passengers, such as helping wheelchair users get in and out of the vehicle, describing the surroundings for visually impaired passengers and finding a suitable place for a guide dog, and communicating with passengers who are deaf or have speech difficulties through gestures or writing.

On stopping points, the standard sets clear requirements for access conditions, spatial dimensions and signage. For example, the ground at a stopping point should be firm, level, non-slip and free of standing water, with a slope no steeper than 1:50. On the kerb side there should be a wheelchair passage at least 1.5 metres wide, with no height difference from the parking space; where there is a height difference, a kerb ramp must be provided that connects to nearby accessible facilities. The ground should be marked with parking lines, wheelchair passage lines and accessibility symbols, and an accessible sign should be placed at the parking space.

On specialised equipment, the standard states that accessible taxis should be equipped with a ramp or wheelchair lift near the kerb side. Doors must provide a clear passage width of at least 0.8 metres and an entry clear height of at least 1.3 metres. The vehicle should be fitted with accessible equipment such as separate wheelchair restraints and passenger restraints, non-slip handrails and grab handles; the passenger cabin should ideally have a clear height of at least 1.35 metres, and window controls should be easy for passengers to operate themselves.

IT Home learned from the official announcement that in recent years China has issued a number of national standards, including for boarding wheelchairs, accessible operation services for urban rail transit and buses, and age-friendly facilities on urban rail transit. The newly issued standard for accessible taxi operation services will further improve the standard system for accessible travel services, supporting the equal right to travel for people with disabilities and older people and the continued development of an accessible environment.