Your UK assistance dog rights, answered in seconds
Being questioned at a shop door, in a taxi or by a landlord is stressful, and the law is not always easy to find in the moment. The ADR Rights Assistant is a free AI tool that answers questions about UK assistance dog access rights in plain English, based on the Equality Act 2010 and our published guidance.
It covers shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants, buses, trains and taxis, rented housing, workplaces, hotels and travel, and owner-trained dogs. You can type your question or speak it, and every answer can be read aloud.
How it works
- Ask in your own wordsType or tap the microphone and describe what happened or what you want to know.
- Get a clear answerThe assistant explains what the law says and points you to the official guidance.
- Take the next stepSave a copy by email, show the answer to staff, or report a refusal so we can push for better access.
Free to try, unlimited for members
Free10 minutes of questions every day. No account needed.
Members: unlimited AI law assistanceAsk as often as you need, including when you are refused at a door, alongside your assistance dog ID.
See membership plans
Common questions
Can a shop, cafe or pub refuse my assistance dog?
Generally no. Under the Equality Act 2010, businesses and service providers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, which normally means letting an assistance dog in, including places that serve food. A "no dogs" rule does not apply to assistance dogs.
Do I have to register or certify my assistance dog?
No. UK law does not require an assistance dog to be registered, certified or to carry a particular ID card. ID can help staff understand your situation quickly, but it is not a legal requirement.
Does an owner-trained assistance dog have the same rights?
Yes. UK law does not require the dog to be trained by a charity. What matters is that the dog is trained to help with your disability and behaves well in public.
Can a taxi or private hire driver refuse my assistance dog?
Licensed taxi and private hire drivers have a specific legal duty to carry assistance dogs without charging extra, unless the driver holds a medical exemption certificate from the licensing authority. That specific duty is written around dogs from recognised training organisations, but all disabled passengers are also protected by the general Equality Act duty not to discriminate.
Can I be charged extra because of my assistance dog?
Charging you more because of your assistance dog, such as a pet fee or a cleaning charge, is likely to be unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
Is the Rights Assistant legal advice?
No. It gives general information based on UK law and our guide to UK assistance dog law. For advice on your own situation, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) or Citizens Advice.
What happens to the questions I type?
Your questions are used to answer you and to improve our guidance. Please do not include your name or medical details. Read our privacy policy for the full details.
Refused somewhere, or want to read more?
Every report helps us show where access fails. You can also read our full guide or create a free assistance dog card that explains the law to staff on the spot.
