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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Traffic & Transport Information Design MSc course
    April 19, 2012
    The International Institute for Information Design (IIID), in cooperation with FH St. Poelten University of Applied Sciences, Austria, has announced Traffic & Transport Information Design, a five semester MSc course starting in October and which is based on distance teaching with blocked modules at the FH St.Poelten, Austria. Taught by top experts from more than 10 countries, the English-language based MSc Traffic&Transport Information Design course is being operated under the auspices of UNESCO.
  • Road safety - the challenge ahead
    April 25, 2012
    More than 1.3 million people die in road accidents each year. If nothing is done, this already chilling figure risks to rise to 1.9 million deaths per year. Around 90 per cent of road fatalities occur in emerging and developing countries. Here, the mixture of population growth and higher numbers of vehicles due to rising incomes are proving a deadly combination, as infrastructure and regulatory environment have difficulty keeping pace.
  • Embraer, Uber to develop vertical takeoff EVs
    April 28, 2017
    Brazilian aerospace company Embraer is to partner with ride-hailing company Uber to develop and implement small electric vehicles with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities (VTOLs) for short urban commutes. This preliminary partnership, the Uber Elevate Network, is a project generated by the Embraer Business Innovation Center, the company’s new initiative based in Melbourne, Florida. Embraer announced last month that it would open outposts in Silicon Valley and Boston to promote air transportation innov
  • Smart Urban Mobility Solutions conference promises a ‘packed’ programme
    May 2, 2017
    A ‘packed’ two day conference programme is promised for the first Smart Urban Mobility Solutions (SUMS 2017) conference and exhibition which is being held 10-11 May at Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus. Scotland’s Minister for Transport and the Islands is the keynote speaker; and 20-plus low carbon vehicles form the basis of conference and exhibition. SUMS 2017 is co-located with All-Energy, the UK’s renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference, and is sponsored by All-Energy’s headline sponsor,