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

  • Chinese EVs for Rotterdam
    May 17, 2012
    Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD and Rotterdam City yesterday entered into an agreement to deliver BYD's all-electric e6 vehicles as part of the Netherland's green transportation project "75-EV-RO" - the first e6's anywhere in Europe. The Netherland's Prince Maurits van Oranje, Vice Mayor of Rotterdam Mrs. A. van Huffelen, Chinese Ambassador Mr. Zhang Jun and BYD's Henry Li (Auto Division GM) were all present for the signing ceremony in Rotterdam City Hall.
  • Mobileye to be standard option on Nissan Teana in China
    May 16, 2012
    Mobileye has announced that Nissan showrooms in China will propose Nissan's Teana model (sold as Nissan Maxima in North America) will be equipped with ‘Eagle Eye’, Mobileye’s C2-270 collision prevention system. Buick, Cadillac and Acura showrooms already offer Mobileye C2 as an optional accessory in showrooms in South China; however Nissan says it will be the first to offer a particular model with Mobileye as standard safety fit all over China.
  • First full-scale Hyperloop test track ‘planned for 2016’
    March 2, 2015
    According to website The Verge, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) has secured land for the first full-scale Hyperloop, planned for a 2016 launch in the California model town of Quay Valley. Building off Elon Musk's freely available designs, the crowdfunded company has marked out a five-mile stretch of Quay Valley adjacent to California's Interstate 5 freeway as a place where the innovative transportation system can be deployed. If successful, it would be the first full-size implementation of Musk'
  • BYD launches electric taxi and car sharing service in Thailand
    August 23, 2018
    BYD has deployed the first e6 electric cars to provide a clean energy VIP taxi and car sharing service in Bangkok. The initiative stems from an agreement with the Land Transport Department of Thailand: 101 out of an intended 1,000 vehicles have so far been provided. BYD says its proprietary iron phosphate battery can re charge the e6 within two hours and allow the vehicles to travel up to 400km.