CAPITAL NEWS
TfL UPDATE ON THE ENLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT (ELR) FOR LONDON PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS
TfL statement The impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on London’s PHV industry have been
significant and the pandemic has had other impacts which have made complying with the ELR more difficult. Drivers have been unable to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) during recent months owing to the temporary closure of the testing centres and we recognise that recovering evidence of qualifica- tions has been difficult because many academic institutions have also temporarily closed. The SELT centres have only recently reopened and English lan- guage testing has resumed, albeit with our providers unable to offer the same number of tests as they were prior to lockdown, owing to the need for social distancing. The pandemic has also had an impact on Transport for London’s (TfL) resources. Prior to the pandemic we were exploring alterna- tive ways that drivers could demonstrate their English language skills. These plans were put on hold so we could focus our resources on critical licensing activities and supporting the indus- try throughout the pandemic. In July, the Department for Transport (DfT) also announced new statutory standards for taxi and private hire drivers. This includes a
requirement for licensing authorities to test English language pro- ficiency for taxi and private hire drivers. In light of these factors, we have decided to extend the deadline for compliance with the ELR to 30 September 2021, giving drivers a further twelve months to comply. Therefore, anyone whose application for a London PHV driver’s licence (including a renewal) that was received by TfL on or after 14 October 2016 has until 30 September 2021 to provide evidence that they comply with the ELR, either by submitting documentary evidence of a qualification or passing a SELT with one of TfL’s appointed providers.
Further details of how an applicant can satisfy the ELR. No further action is needed by any licensee or applicant who has submitted satisfactory evidence that they comply with the ELR, whether this takes the form of documentary evidence of a qualifi- cation or a certificate from one of TfL’s appointed SELT providers. TfL will contact these licensees or applicants should we need any- thing further from them. If a licensee or applicant has not yet provided evidence, they now have until 30 September 2021 to do so. Anyone applying for a new licence, or seeking to renew their licence, on or after 1 October 2021 will need to satisfy the ELR before a licence is granted. We are currently considering all of the new Statutory Standards announced by the DfT and will make further announcements about how TfL, as the licensing authority, will comply with the new standards.
TORY’S INTEREST-FREE LOAN FOR CABBIES TO BUY ELECTRIC CABS
Black cab drivers in diesel motors will get interest-free loans to buy electric vehicles if the Tories take con- trol of London. According to The Sun, City Hall would pay a tenth towards the zero-emission cars and install more charging points so they do not run out on the road. Tory mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey said the move would clean up the air and save drivers £115 a week in fuel. Only 3,500 drivers have changed to electric taxis so far and it is thought the scheme could help another 15,000 do so. Cabbies are now banned from buying new diesel black cabs. Mr Bailey said Labour mayor Sadiq Khan had put in only 65 of 3,000 promised charging points and offered drivers no cash incen- tive to encourage them to make the switch. He said: “London’s iconic black cabs are known worldwide, but the mayor’s failures are putting them at risk.” Steve McNamara, of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, said: “This sounds like a welcome initiative.”
Shaun Bailey Sadiq Khan 52 OCTOBER 2020
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