Taxi Driver Online

I'd guess this information has been obtained from one of the DfT's stats spreadsheets, but that's another potential rabbit hole

(But which would probably reveal why there's a slight difference in the figures between HCDs and PHDs - the latter is very slightly higher )

Surprised this is so high, though, although there's nothing to indicate the standard that's required - I mean, I doubt it requires any insight into split infinitives or the correct use of the semi-colon; or a requirement to know that an ellipsis should only consist of three dots...

On the other hand, it may require reasonably proficiency, or none at all, effectively, but who knows?

And note that Rupert Lowe actually asks the wrong question, strictly speaking, but the minister has ignored that and answered it in terms of drivers and not vehicles


https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?i ... 9.h&s=taxi

Rupert Lowe, Independent MP for Great Yarmouth

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the proportion of local authorities that conduct (a) in-person interviews and (b) English language testing before issuing (i) taxi and (ii) private hire vehicle licences.

Simon Lightwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Policing and Crime Act 2017 enables the Secretary of State for Transport to issue statutory guidance to licensing authorities on exercising their taxi and private hire vehicle licensing functions to protect children and vulnerable adults. Statutory guidance was published in 2020 under these powers. This statutory guidance includes a recommendation that a licensing authority’s test of a driver’s English language proficiency should cover both oral and written English language skills to ensure that drivers have the ability to understand written documents, such as policies and guidance, relating to the protection of children and vulnerable adults and can identify and act on the signs of potential exploitation.

As of 1 April 2024, 81% of licensing authorities in England reported that they require the taxi drivers that they license to meet a minimum standard of proficiency for either written, oral or both written and oral English language. As of 1 April 2024, 82% of licensing authorities in England reported that they require the private hire vehicle drivers that they license to meet a minimum standard of proficiency for either written, oral or both written and oral English language. We are currently reviewing licensing authorities’ compliance with existing guidance and will hold those who do not follow it to account.

The Department does not hold any information about whether licensing authorities conduct in-person interviews for applicants for taxi or private hire vehicle driver licences.

And don't know if it's common knowledge, but the last stats were issued on 31 July 2024, so the latest ones would be due imminently. But looks like they won't now be published till next year


https://www.gov.uk/government/collectio ... statistics

Note that the figure quoted is 81% for england and wales. I would imagine very few Scotch councils would dare to require an English test !

_________________
lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

I think you're correct, Edders. But would be interesting to know why it's a thing in England, but not up here but, you know, maybe best not to ask too many questions about stuff like that

(In fact that's been another issue raised here in Fife with regard to the various press articles about overcharging etc over the past couple of years. But although it's been raised in discussions with officials etc, it's not reported by the Courier. Because I suspect they just won't report that sort of thing, so you have to read between the lines...)

(And in case anyone didn't get Edders' ironic joke, Scotch in the English language is a drink, not a language nor nationality or whatever

In fact, strictly speaking Scottish is not even a nationality, because Scotland isn't a nation state, thus Scottish can't be a nationality.

So the correct usage is 'Scottish councils' )

Anyway, had a quick look at the relevant spreadsheet earlier - after a quick skim down, the only obvious one with a difference between HC/PH approaches to English testing was South Derbyshire, which is marked not-applicable for HCs

Which is actually explained in the Notes tab on the spreadsheet:


So that makes sense, but means the answer to the question above is a tad inaccurate - it gives the impression a small number of councils have different English policies with regard to HCDs/PHDs. But, at least as regards South Derbyshire, the explanation actually lies elsewhere.

And since there's 290 councils, one having different policies shouldn't equate to a 1% difference, but maybe that's just a rounding thing

Anyway, this is the relevant spreadsheet if anyone wants to see if they can spot any other councils with different policies for HC and PH

I can only see South Derbyshire, because it stands out like a sore thumb. But it's columns N and O if anyone's interested in having a look...

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... xi0109.ods

Had another quick skim down the spreadsheet last night and found one - so unless my eyes are deceiving me that's the one and only licensing authority that has a different approach to English tests for HCDs and PHVs

And, when you think about it, it's obvious

And, as a hint, I said 'licensing authority' above rather than 'council'

...well of course it's London

Makes sense, innit - if you can get through the Knowledge of London, then you've probably required and demonstrated a reasonably proficiency in the English language.

This is the actual column heading in the DfT's spreadsheet - of course, there's a separate column for each code: