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Hundreds of Uber drivers risk losing their jobs after London’s transport authority declared all private hire drivers will face new English language tests. From October, all private hire drivers applying for a new license or renewing their existing license will need to have passed a B1 English language writing, reading, listening and speaking test. Some people have welcomed the news, but others are disappointed and angry. Should Uber drivers need to pass a comprehensive English language test?

 

Transport for London say 80% of public agree with new test

Transport for London has passed a new directive requiring all drivers applying for a private hire license or seeking to renew an existing license to take an English language test.

The decision comes after a review of existing practices by Transport for London, which is responsible for regulating travel services in the capital.

TfL has stated that the new English language rule will ensures the private car hire business meets the needs of customers and that 80% of the 20,000 people surveyed agreed with the new language requirements.

 

Uber drivers must have B1 standard in English

From October, Transport for London requires “all private hire drivers who are not from a majority English speaking country to present a valid English language certificate with a B1 level of English.”

Helen Chapman, Transport for London’s general manager of taxi and private hire, said: “We think that it’s appropriate for this requirement to apply to private hire drivers, who will often be responsible for transporting vulnerable passengers and is in line with Home Office intentions for customer-facing public sector workers.”

Chapman also added: “it is necessary for drivers to be able to communicate in English, particularly to discuss a fare or route, but also brief a passenger on a public safety issue like the use of a seat belt or what happens in an emergency.”

The private hire care-share service Uber has criticised the move, saying that asking drivers to take this £200 test could force many private hire drivers off the road and out of work.

Uber says the English language test is too difficult

The new language test means private hire drivers, such as Uber drivers, must have evidence of having achieved a B1 standard in English in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (the European standard for grading foreign language proficiency).

Uber London’s general manager, Tom Elvidge, claims that the new test is too difficult and having B1 standard in reading and writing is unnecessary. He said: “We support spoken English skills, but this exam is harder than the test for British citizenship.”

Improved safety and customer-driver relations

The proposals from Transport for London have caused much controversy over the last week. Some people have welcomed the news as a commitment to improving safety and customer-driver relations, while others think it will harm existing drivers and stop people from working.

We think it is important for private hire drivers to be able to understand their customers and communicate with them comfortably and confidently. However, this seems to be a question of having good speaking and listening skills rather than reading and writing skills. What do you think?

 

Let us know your thoughts…

Should private hire drivers be forced to take an English language test?

Are all four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) necessary for Uber drivers?

Do you think it is important that a private hire driver can communicate in good English with customers?

Will it make private car hire safer?

Have you ever had a problem communicating in English with a non-native driver from a private hire company, such as Uber?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

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