EDITORS NOTE: Considering I got an E and F in GCSE English, I doubt I could pass the test. Part of the joy of dyslexia.
There’s been an interesting development in a court case in London today, with Uber losing a test case in the courts today, requiring its drivers in London to have passed an English test.
You might see fewer of these in London if the ruling sticks – Image, Uber.
Uber contested the rule set by Transport for London (TfL), that its drivers should have to prove that they can communicate in English. Uber’s complaint was the test was a set at a too high standard, and that a third of the 110,000 drivers in London would fail the test.
As well as applying to Uber, this rule applies to all minicab companies under the TfL area control, so Uber isn’t being singled out here – it’s a rule applied to the entire minicab system in London.
Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn in states in a tweet:
Pleased that courts have backed my plans to drive up standards for taxi & private hire passengers. https://t.co/SSWMUTOC8K pic.twitter.com/nEP5m7AkuR
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 3, 2017
The core lines to take away from this are:
“Drivers being able to speak English and understand information from passengers and licensing requirements is a vital part of ensuring passengers get the high standard of service they need and deserve.
“TfL will of course look at the High Court judgement in detail to ensure all our policies fully comply.”
Drivers who hold a GCSE in English (or higher) will be exempt from the tests – which according to The Register cost £180 an attempt.
Uber is set to appeal the ruling, with the company thinking the new rule is “unfair and disproportionate”.
In the short-term – expect no impact as Uber appeals its case – however, in the longer term, prices might creep up if drivers aren’t allowed to drive because they don’t have the language skills that are required.
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