English Language Requirements for Private Hire Drivers

“This Assembly notes the concern of many Private Hire Drivers about the cost of meeting TfL’s English Language Requirement. TfL’s English Test could cost drivers over £300, when taking into account the day’s pay a driver will lose while taking the test. Furthermore, TfL will soon require private hire drivers to pass an advanced driving test which will cost an additional £149.

This is an unfair cost, especially for drivers that may have lived in the UK all of their lives. This Assembly notes that other licensing authorities across the UK are testing an applicant’s spoken English by using a test which costs only £25.

This Assembly agrees that all Private Hire Drivers should speak English to an acceptable level but the test is not a proportionate response. We therefore call on the Mayor to replace any requirement for Private Hire drivers to pass a written English test with a requirement to pass the £25 verbal test which is already successfully used by other UK licensing authorities.”