Uber sues TFL for English test requirement for drivers

Taxi-hailing app Uber is suing London’s transport regulator over new rules to private firms, which requires drivers to pass an English language test.

Transport for London (TFL) said drivers from non-English speaking countries need to pass a language exam from 1 October, which will test their reading, writing and listening skills.

TFL also said that Uber would need inform them of any changes to its app in advance and set up a London call centre. Uber has a centre in Ireland.

The app, which is worth $62.5bn, has over 300,000 drivers in London and a language exam could put many of its drivers out of business, although it said that drivers should be able to speak English.

Uber’s London general manager, Tom Elvidge said: “This legal action is very much 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.”

The company submitted an application for judicial review in the high court to block the new rules.

TFL said: “We responded to Uber’s letter and will be robustly defending the legal proceedings.These [rules] 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.”

This is the latest in a long run of legal battles for the app. Uber, which includes investors Goldman Sachs and Google’s parent company Alphabet, previously won a lawsuit against TFL for the app to be used a tax meter and is also awaiting a ruling on a dispute with its drivers.