Phil Menzies, of Hobart, had called a taxi to Glenorchy but, when it arrived, the driver refused to take the fare, locked the doors and drove off.

"It was pretty upsetting and embarrassing because it was witnessed by other people," Mr Menzies said.

"It makes you feel really uncomfortable that, because of your disability, this has happened."

What an appalling situation to be foisted on someone who must have plenty of unavoidable challenges to deal with each day.

The taxi driver had refused to take Mr Menzies because he had not been told in advance about the assistance dog, something that is not required.

Sadly, such acts of discrimination are not uncommon in Tasmania, with one in three guide dog users reporting similar incidents in taxis.

A recent survey of 530 handlers by Guide Dogs Australia showed 56 per cent had suffered discrimination in the past year.

The discrimination was not just confined to the taxi industry with 33 per cent of respondents questioned about their dogs at a restaurant or cafe. Some were told they had to sit outside. Others were refused service entirely.

Encountering such discrimination has caused 35 per cent of handlers to change their daily routine. Worse, it had led to 17 per cent reconsidering their desire to go out at all.

What terrible outcomes for people who already face challenges to their daily routines that most of us could not comprehend.

Outside the court on Monday, the taxi driver apologised to Mr Menzies and the pair shook hands. No doubt that particularly driver, who put down his actions to "having a bad day" will not reoffend.