Uber takes legal action against TfL over fresh regulations demanding that all private-hire drivers prove their language skills in a written English examination.
The San Francisco-based taxi firm initially supported the decision by Transport for London (TfL) to introduce testing but has since done a u-turn after new regulations requiring an intermediate certificate. Uber is claiming the new test is harder than what’s required for British citizenship, meaning fewer are likely to pass.
Drivers will now need to pass a two-hour written exam in addition to a spoken English test, which will cost an estimated £200 per person to sit.
The company expressed its disappointment last week in an email to all Uber drivers in London. It asked all employees to contact mayor Sadiq Khan and campaign for a re-evaluation of the plans. Uber is using the mayors pro-immigration policies as leverage in the argument.
Uber has said that it estimates thousands will be affected by the change. They currently have more than 30,000 drivers in London alone, though the new system is expected to affect private-hire companies all over the British capital.
The regulations are due to come into place October and TfL has confirmed that a letter was received from Uber warning of legal action. Whether or not Uber takes legal action against TfL and wins is another matter altogether.
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