Skip to main content

Uber wins right to challenge TfL’s English language requirement

Uber has won the right to challenge a Transport for London (TfL) rule which would require some of its drivers to pass an English language test. Announced by TfL last year and due to take effect from 1 October, the rule would mean that drivers who are not from English-speaking countries would have to take an English reading, writing and listening test, which TfL said was ‘in the interests of public safety’. Uber had previously supported the test, but now argues it is too rigorous and costly.
September 2, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
RSS8336 Uber has won the right to challenge a 1466 Transport for London (TfL) rule which would require some of its drivers to pass an English language test.

Announced by TfL last year and due to take effect from 1 October, the rule would mean that drivers who are not from English-speaking countries would have to take an English reading, writing and listening test, which TfL said was ‘in the interests of public safety’. Uber had previously supported the test, but now argues it is too rigorous and costly.

Following a judicial review, Uber has won the right to challenge the ruling if exemptions can be put in place, although there are other outstanding issues Uber wishes to challenge, such as TfL’s requirement for an Uber call centre in London.

Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber London, said: "We're pleased the judge has decided this case deserves a hearing. TfL's plans threaten the livelihoods of thousands of drivers in London, while also stifling tech companies like Uber."

Uber puts electric cars on the road in London

Ride-hailing company Uber is teaming up with 838 Nissan and 5445 BYD to offer drivers the chance to rent a fully electric Nissan LEAF or BYD E6 as part of a three month study in London.

Uber has partnered with The Energy Saving Trust, a UK organisation that promotes the sustainable use of energy, in the pilot which will look at how Uber and private hire companies can begin making the switch to electric vehicles.

By October, Uber plans to have more than 50 fully electric cars on London’s roads. It also plans to bring electric vehicles to its app in at least one other UK city.

Related Content

  • July 31, 2014
    US trade associations respond to Highway Trust Fund patch
    The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARBTA) have responded to the Senate passage of the Highway and Transportation Funding Act which extends funding for the Highway Trust Fund through May 2015. “Today’s Senate passage of the Highway Trust Fund patch does not negate the need for a long-term solution to our country’s infrastructure funding crisis. Congress must develop a comprehensive plan to address the critical f
  • March 25, 2015
    TISPOL responds to slowdown in EU road safety progress
    Road deaths fell by a negligible one per cent in the EU last year according to new data released by the European Commission. The drastic slowdown in progress puts at risk the region's target of halving road deaths by 2020. TISPOL general secretary Ruth Purdie called for an immediate end to the reductions in numbers of traffic police. “It is unlikely that anyone will establish a precise provable link between the decline in traffic police numbers and the increase in casualties across Europe. But as long as ro
  • May 25, 2022
    Cubic’s holistic view of traffic management
    How can cities and transit agencies ease congested roadways? Andy Taylor of Cubic Transportation Systems suggests it would help to take a more holistic view of the problem
  • January 20, 2012
    Tags or communication based toll payment systems?
    Midland Expressway Ltd's Tom Fanning discusses deployment of Near Field Communicationbased payment on the M6 Toll facility The M6 Toll's introduction from early next year of Near Field Communication (NFC) is a pragmatic response to the relative scarcity of tolled facilities and the concomitant low levels of tag take-up in the UK, according to the road's operator, Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL). Nevertheless, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC)-based tags operating at 5.8GHz are still a key part of the