Taxi drivers no longer required to speak English under Sadiq Khan’s new plans

LONDON minicab drivers will not have to prove they can speak English under new plans backed by Sadiq Khan.

Rules saying drivers must pass language proficiency exams proving they can read, write and speak English are being temporarily suspended by Transport for London. Some drivers had complained that licensing tests, which also cover rules about reporting suspected criminal activity, were too difficult.

But the London Mayor has been warned by black cab drivers that the move “compromises passenger safety”. The exams include pass-or-fail English language modules as well as minicab drivers’ safety, equality and regulatory understanding (SERU) duties.

Mr Khan said: “TfL is pausing enforcement against private hire drivers in London who have not yet met the SERU or the English language requirement. Drivers who have been struggling to meet the requirement now won’t face licensing enforcement action while the trial is underway.”

A spokesman said: “The Mayor has listened to and raised private hire drivers’ concerns about the SERU requirements and whether they are being implemented fairly.”

Some minicab drivers had complained that the SERU exams were a test of memory rather than the rules themselves, according to a TfL industry notice published on Wednesday.

Taxi industry sources said the rules, which were first introduced in 2016, were partly brought in to tackle crime. Cab drivers are expected to know how to report suspicious activity.

TfL said it is moving towards an “open book” format for the SERU exams following feedback from drivers.

It added: “While we are trialling the open-book SERU assessments … we will not take licensing enforcement action.”

Drivers who have not passed SERU exams will be contacted in the coming weeks to take the tests. In the meantime they can continue to drive their taxis.