Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Belarus

In accordance with Article 27 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 278-3 of August 14, 2007, "On Road Transport and Road Transportation" (hereinafter, Law No. 278-3), passenger transportation by taxis is carried out under a public contract.

According to paragraph 164 of the Rules for the Carriage of Passengers by Road, approved by Resolution No. 972 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated June 30, 2008, taxi drivers are obligated, among other things, to transport passengers by taxi, based on orders transmitted by a taxi dispatcher or using an electronic information system.

In accordance with paragraph 178 of the Road Traffic Regulations, approved by Decree No. 551 of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated November 28, 2005, children may be transported in taxis without the use of child restraints.

Article 31 of Law No. 278-3 defines the grounds for refusing to perform a passenger transportation contract. In the absence of legal grounds, the automobile carrier (or its representative) has no right to refuse to perform the transportation contract.

Since the absence of child restraints and other aids (boosters, special seat cushions, extra seats) is not grounds for refusing to transport passengers by taxi, the driver's actions in such a case would be unlawful. Moreover, an unjustified refusal to transport passengers by a taxi driver is an administrative offense, liability for which is provided for under Article 18.26 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses.