GMB call on London Mayor to get involved as introduction of English test for drivers delayed until April 2018
GMB call on London Mayor to get involved and put forward a more straightforward and cost effective English test for Private Hire drivers as introduction delayed until April 2018
It’s time for the London Mayor to get involved and deal with this increasing mess says GMB London
GMB call on the London Mayor to get involved to sort out the mess around English language tests for private hire drivers as Transport for London (TfL) have put the introduction back to April 2018.
The London Mayor must reconsider plans for Private Hire drivers to sit a £200 written English test and put forward a more straightforward and less expensive test.
Simon Rush, GMB's professional drivers’ president, said:
“GMB attended a stakeholder compliance meeting last Tuesday 20th June with operators, the private hire board and the licensed private hire association. We questioned TfL regarding the process of the language test and how many certificates they had received.
“TfL have admitted that they don’t know how many certificates they currently hold or how many have been processed or any appeals procedure that is in place if a driver were to fail the test.
“Drivers who have passed their certificates cannot in reality purchase new or lease vehicles because they currently do not know if their certificates have been accepted or declined. TfL are taking up to 6 months just to notify receipt of language tests to licensed drivers.
“‘There’s an uneasy feeling of uncertainty of where we stand as private hire drivers, and at the moment we need more support than ever to make sure we keep our jobs.”
“This plan needs to be abandoned and started again with a new proposal to include grandfather rights for current drivers and an oral test for new drivers.
“The Mayor needs to come back with a more straightforward and less expensive test and plan that will be acceptable to our members
“It’s time for the London Mayor to get involved and deal with this increasing mess”
ENDS
Contact: Gary Pearce on 07850 036952; Steve Garelick on 07565 456776; Simon Rush on 07863 256411
Notes to editors
1) GMB press release 22 March 2017
GMB CALL ON LONDON MAYOR TO THINK AGAIN AND PUT FORWARD A MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD AND LESS EXPENSIVE ENGLISH TEST FOR PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS
We completely accept drivers need good verbal communication skills – but do they really need an over complicated, expensive written exam to show this says GMB London
GMB London call on the London Mayor to reconsider plans for Private Hire drivers to sit a written English test.
There are several Private Hire related questions being asked at Mayor’s Question Time on 22 March 2017 with one question from Gareth Bacon asking ‘Will the Mayor reconsider plans to force Private Hire drivers to sit a written English test and instead make the required test an oral one?’
Steve Garelick, GMB's professional drivers’ secretary, said:
“GMB completely accept drivers need good verbal communication skills – but do they really need an over complicated, expensive written exam to show this? A written English exam is above and beyond what is required.
“GMB ask the mayor to reconsider and come back with a more straightforward and less expensive test and plan that will be acceptable to our members.”
Questions to the Mayor, Mayors Question Time, 22 March 2017
www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s62912/Special%20Priority%20Order%20Paper.pdf
