TfL backs down on controversial written language plan for private hire drivers

Transport for London has backed down from its controversial policy of forcing private hire drivers to take a written language test – or else lose their licence.

It is believed that under new policies to be introduced on October 1, TfL will use new training modules to determine whether an applicant is proficient at reading and writing English at the level required. A 15-minute conversational test would follow to assess the driver’s ability to understand and speak English.

TfL has confirmed that private hire drivers who are yet to pass an English speaking, writing or listening test will not have their licences revoked when the new licensing policy is introduced.

The Licensed Private Hire Car Association welcomed the news, and said in a statement: “It was confirmed that drivers who have not yet undertaken and passed an English Test, or sent their English language qualifications to TfL, will not have their licences revoked. This follows a five-year LPHCA campaign, asking for appropriate English language testing for TfL-licensed PHV Drivers.

“TfL has however asked that if proof of qualifications for exemption, by way of exam certification can be provided, drivers should do so by 30 September, as this would ensure that a future test will not be needed.”

The LPHCA statement continued: “From October 1 we understand that new arrangements will be put in place, which include an assessment on safety, equality and regulatory obligations modules and TfL Taxi and Private Hire will use this to confirm an applicant is proficient at reading and writing English at the required level.”

The lower cost 15-20 minute conversational test will meet the needs of the government’s statutory taxi & private hire vehicle standards requirements on English language proficiency for all London taxi & PHV drivers.

“We are delighted that this pragmatic outcome after nearly five years of campaigning brings in a new process that will in our view be far more fit for purpose. We will continue to work closely with TfL TPH to ensure the new testing meets with recommendation 28 of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing recommendations for England and Wales,” the LPHCA concluded.

The GMB Union also welcomed the move, saying in a statement: “GMB’s five-year campaign for changes to the TFL English Language test has resulted in a new oral and written test module being available from October of this year. The trade bodies pushed hard on this. TfL, and the Mayor’s office, have through our representations now made change for good.”

Dress code and drug tests for drivers as Greater Manchester looks to unify standards

Councils in Greater Manchester are close to agreement on a set of common licensing standards for taxi drivers across the metropolitan area, including a dress code and drug testing.

Tameside council’s executive cabinet has approved the first stage of the new Greater Manchester minimum licensing standards, which focuses on drivers, operators and local authorities.

The standards – which will be introduced across all of the region’s ten councils – have been in the pipeline since 2018 and are aimed at delivering improved safety, environmental standards and accessibility across the 2,000 hackney carriages, 11,500 private hire vehicles and 18,600 drivers currently licensed across Greater Manchester.

The more stringent rules for drivers will see DBS checks occur more frequently, as well as medical examinations for drivers, knowledge and English language tests. This autumn, a further report is to be published outlining the proposed standards for taxi vehicles.

A dress code is also be introduced which would limit drivers to wearing ‘good condition’ clothes, and ban them from wearing sportswear, sandals, hoods and offensive slogans or graphics.

It comes after licensing authorities received ‘numerous complaints’ each year about driver dress standards and personal hygiene. The Tameside cabinet report states that in the worst examples, passengers reported drivers wearing shorts had their “private parts on display”.

A policy around drug and alcohol testing is also being developed to introduce testing for drivers based on complaints or intelligence received. Ian Saxon, director of neighbourhoods and operations, said the recommendations were the product of many years hard work. “They are very strong and supported by the travelling public,” he said. “This is there to promote public safety and that’s our role within the taxi licensing regime.”

Tameside council leader Brenda Warrington said: “At the moment some of the drivers that we know are licensed outside of Greater Manchester from other authorities that just give away licences like toffees. It is a worry to us so I do hope and believe that this kind of arrangement across all ten of the districts in Greater Manchester will be a benefit,” she said.

“We would hope to a degree it would drive out those drivers who frankly we don’t want to see because they’re not up to the standard that we require.”