Uber challenges TfL’s plans for English language test for drivers
Yesterday Uber announced its intention to bring a legal challenge over new regulations set to be put in place in London this year that would require some of its drivers to take an English language test. Uber will also challenge the strengthened insurance requirement and other regulations that it says unfairly put a burden on its business, including one, it says, will require building a call centre in London. Transport for London has said it plans to fight Uber’s legal challenge.

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Uber has launched a legal challenge against London’s transport regulator over plans to force private hire drivers to pass a written exam in English.

Transport for London (TfL) new regulations, set out earlier this year, must be in place from October 1. The new rules include a two-hour written English exam, at a cost of £200, for people who want to become licensed private hire drivers or renew a licence.

The ride hailing company has made an application to start a judicial review to block the new regulations but TfL said it would defend its proposals in court.

Tom Elvidge, general manager of Uber London, described the legal challenge as a “last resort”.

“We’re particularly disappointed that, after a lengthy consultation process with Transport for London, the goalposts have moved at the last minute and new rules are now being introduced that will be bad for both drivers and tech companies like Uber,” Elvidge said.

Uber is also objecting to TfL’s requirements for the company to inform the regulator each time it makes any changes to its app, operate a call centre in London and for its vehicles to have a commercial insurance even when they are not being used as minicabs.

TfL’s new regulations followed two consultations, which ran from March to June 2015 and September to December 2015, over a raft of proposals to restrict the way private hire firms operate.

Uber initially approved the new rules but is nwo arguing they are too strict after more details emerged in June.

“These [measures] have been introduced to enhance public safety when using private hire services and we are determined to create a vibrant taxi and private hire market with space for all providers to flourish,” a spokesman for TfL said.

The regulator said it considers necessary for drivers to be able to communicate in English in order to discuss a fare or route but also brief a passenger on a public safety issue like the use of a seat belt.

But Uber argued the written exam is tougher than Britain’s citizenship tests and breaches the Equality Act.

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It added that the new insurance regulation could penalise part-time private hire drivers, such as parents, who only drive during a certain time of the year.

Uber’s rivals Addison Lee and Get have backed the new rules.

“Having previously backed the proposals it’s hard to understand Uber’s resistance to implementation of these new regulations. The whole industry was fully involved in the consultation and there is a strong belief that they will benefit both passengers and drivers,” Andy Boland, Addison Lee chief executive, said.