London wants to make for-hire drivers pass a written English test, and Uber is not happy

Regulations set to hit London in October would require Uber drivers to pass a written English test, and Uber is not having it.

The rules, imposed by Transport for London, would require private hire drivers from non-English speaking countries to pass an intermediate-level English language test that covers speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Drivers would have to pass the test, equivalent to the national curriculum for 9 to 11 year olds, whether they are applying for a new license or renewing an old one.

Uber says the regulations are onerous and unfairly penalize drivers who only need spoken English to do their jobs. The company supports the requirement for a spoken English test, a version of which is already mandated, but objects to the written portion.

"Uber has already invested £100 [million] in London - and we plan to invest even more in the future," Uber London General Manager Tom Elvidge wrote in an email Monday to all London users. "But bureaucratic new rules from Transport for London send the opposite message and threaten the livelihood of thousands of drivers."

Uber claims the new test is harder than what's required for British citizenship or for public sector employees. It also says only 0.5 percent of rider feedback in July was about poor English skills.

The regulations have already been approved, so Uber is asking London users to "ask the new mayor to look again at TfL’s plans." Uber is linking its request with Mayor Sadiq Khan's pro-immigration and pro-refugee policies.

The countries of origin exempt to the upcoming requirement include: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, Ireland, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.