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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/17/uber-takes-tfl-to-high-court-over-english-written-test
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| Uber takes TfL to high court over English written test | Uber takes TfL to high court over English written test |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Taxi-hailing app Uber has launched a legal bid to stop Transport for London (TfL) forcing its drivers to take a written English test. | Taxi-hailing app Uber has launched a legal bid to stop Transport for London (TfL) forcing its drivers to take a written English test. |
| From 1 October, anyone from a non-English-speaking country who applies for a private car hire licence or to renew an existing licence in London will have to prove that they have passed an exam in English. | |
| Uber has submitted an application for a judicial review in the high court in London to block TfL’s plans but the transport authority said it would defend its proposals in court. | Uber has submitted an application for a judicial review in the high court in London to block TfL’s plans but the transport authority said it would defend its proposals in court. |
| The San Francisco-based firm has railed against the requirement, saying that while drivers should be able to speak English, requiring them to pass a written exam would put many out of business. | The San Francisco-based firm has railed against the requirement, saying that while drivers should be able to speak English, requiring them to pass a written exam would put many out of business. |
| Uber also objects to plans to force taxi firms to operate a London call centre and requiring drivers to have commercial insurance for vehicles even when they are not being used as private hire cars. | Uber also objects to plans to force taxi firms to operate a London call centre and requiring drivers to have commercial insurance for vehicles even when they are not being used as private hire cars. |
| “This legal action is very much a last resort,” said Tom Elvidge, Uber’s general manager for London. | “This legal action is very much a last resort,” said Tom Elvidge, Uber’s general manager for London. |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| Initial proposals from TfL called for proficiency only in spoken English, but updated plans include a requirement to pass a two-hour written exam as well, which will cost £200 to sit. | Initial proposals from TfL called for proficiency only in spoken English, but updated plans include a requirement to pass a two-hour written exam as well, which will cost £200 to sit. |
| Drivers from a range of English-speaking countries such as New Zealand and Jamaica are not required to take the test, a discrepancy Uber is expected to challenge in court under the Equality Act. | Drivers from a range of English-speaking countries such as New Zealand and Jamaica are not required to take the test, a discrepancy Uber is expected to challenge in court under the Equality Act. |
| A TfL spokesman said: “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 TfL spokesman said: “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.” |
| Sample papers for the exams include an “extended writing” task in which candidates are asked to write a short essay. | Sample papers for the exams include an “extended writing” task in which candidates are asked to write a short essay. |
| One question reads: “Write an essay (100-130 words) for your teacher about a festival in a country you know.” | One question reads: “Write an essay (100-130 words) for your teacher about a festival in a country you know.” |
| Another reads: “A friend in another town is going to study at your college and wants to know about the college rules. Write a letter to your friend (100-130 words).” | Another reads: “A friend in another town is going to study at your college and wants to know about the college rules. Write a letter to your friend (100-130 words).” |
| In an email to Uber users, Elvidge said the exam demands a higher level of English than the British citizenship test, which only asks for speaking and listening skills. | In an email to Uber users, Elvidge said the exam demands a higher level of English than the British citizenship test, which only asks for speaking and listening skills. |
| The requirement also exceeds the level demanded of government employees in “customer-facing roles”, such as a teaching assistant or someone answering the phone in a local authority office. | The requirement also exceeds the level demanded of government employees in “customer-facing roles”, such as a teaching assistant or someone answering the phone in a local authority office. |