Step Catalogue > Taxis

SEARCH OUR CATALOGUE FOR TAXI STEPS

AVS has 15 years experience supplying steps to the taxi operators and drivers UK wide. We have worked with the biggest taxi manufacturer, Allied Vehicles (Cabs Direct) to develop a product and a support network second to none. Time, is, as they money, and no one knows that better than a taxi driver. Every minute counts.

In the section below we will discuss regulations but the most important point, we believe, is passenger comfort and safety. By providing a safe, solid, reliable step platform for your passengers to enter and leave your cab, they will thank you.

AVS steps meet every legal requirement set out by all UK authorities. They come with fitting kits to allow non-specialist mechanics to fit and service the steps. And we have over 50 service agents nationwide, usually available within 24 hours where ever they are needed. Whichever your region we can meet the local licensing office regulations. Here are some examples. We will add more as we learn each authority’s requirement:

Example Authority	Regulation Summary	Minimum tread size	Suggested Step
Rushmoor, Hampshire Web Link	All vehicles with floor height over 380mm (15”) must have a step fitted. Risers must be closed.	Not specified	SLM/SLE 450 or SLM/SLE550 or TM/E600 Taxi compliant corners.
Ireland (Eire)	New regulations apply. Step required on any floor height over 230mm. Manual or electric with hand brake interlock.	200mm deep and 400mm wide	SLM/SLE 450 or SLM/SLE550 or TM/E600 Taxi compliant corners.
Wirral, Merseyside Web Link	Any entrance over 380mm (15”) from the ground must have an additional step fitted. Step must be enclosed. Non-slip tread with yellow highlighted edges.		SLM/SLE 450 or SLM/SLE550 or TM/E600 Taxi compliant corners.

Which step to buy?

There are 2 big decisions. Power and size!

The first decision is whether a foot operated step is the right choice or whether a powered step is required. Some authorities insist on powered steps. A foot operated step is usually operated by the driver, rather than passengers. An electric step is operated from the driver’s cab or can be automatically operated by the door. In either case the step will always close when the door closes if it is wired in this way. With foot operated steps we recommend a warning buzzer to indicate if the step is left out. Not so much in case it hits a person (that really does not happen because the wing mirrors protrude further than even a deployed step!) but in order to prevent damaging the step on a high kerb.

The second decision is size. We offer steps from 450x200mm (18x8”) to 1000mmx300mm (39x12”). In general the size of step is dictated by the size of the vehicle. Smaller vehicles with less groundclearance require slimmer steps such as the SL range. Bigger vehicles suit the bigger steps such as EX and T. In some areas, such as Leeds, the depth of the tread is a legal requirement at 300mm minimum.

Here are some examples:

Vehicle Type	Manual Step	Electric Step
Peugeot Expert	SLM450	SLE450BZ
VW T5	SLM450 or 550	SLE450 or 550
Ford Torneo	TM600	TE600BZ
LTI	EXM563	N/A
Mercedes Vito	SLM450	SLE450
Mercedes Sprinter	KM600	EXE600HX or KE600BZ

Each step comes with “taxi compliant” corners ensuring passenger safety and meeting the regs. Please contact AVS to ask us what is the best step for you vehicle and the nearest fitting agent. Usually fitting can be carried out at your address, and at fixed price.

All Pictures Courtesy of Cab Direct.

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AVS Steps for Taxis