Ha ha, have you seen the London cabby test (The Knowledge) @prateik? It's harder than a-level physics.Why a written test? Seems unnecessary.
Do cab drivers have to do the same?
I disagree, we have to do a much better job at intigrating new immigrants into society else run the risk of more support for the far right.I disagree with the rule.
As long as they aren't here illegally, they can do the job, and get me where I need to go safely - I don't have a problem.
They don't need to be proficient in written English.
My mum would fail most written English tests, even though she can speak English very well, albeit a slight accent, she's fully immersed into British society also and she's been here for over 25 years.I disagree, we have to do a much better job at intigrating new immigrants into society else run the risk of more support for the far right.
Speaking and writing in English should be top of the list for new immigrants.
I agree. They need to be able to read and speak English, and know what to do in an emergency - I can't see that those are negotiable, as they need to follow road signs, speak to customers and take action if they have an accident (or the passenger becomes ill). However, apart from the basics, they surely don't need to be proficient in written English.I disagree with the rule.
As long as they aren't here illegally, they can do the job, and get me where I need to go safely - I don't have a problem.
They don't need to be proficient in written English.
As would most Daily Mail readers judging by the comments section.My mum would fail most written English tests, even though she can speak English very well, albeit a slight accent, she's fully immersed into British society also and she's been here for over 25 years.
She just didn't go to school past 16, and didn't have to learn English until she was in her mid 30's.
Let's stop the arrogant stigma that language = assimilation, because it doesn't.
Written proficiency in English isn't sufficient to drive a car, nor does it indicate assimilation into society.
No, but it certainly helps, no question.Written proficiency in English isn't sufficient to drive a car, nor does it indicate assimilation into society.
Agree, think these are two most important skills and also understanding especially in a customer service based job like taxi drivers.I agree. They need to be able to read and speak English, and know what to do in an emergency - I can't see that those are negotiable, as they need to follow road signs, speak to customers and take action if they have an accident (or the passenger becomes ill). However, apart from the basics, they surely don't need to be proficient in written English.
But this isn't about learning the language. This is about being able to pass a written test in the language, in order to drive a car.No, but it certainly helps, no question.
I know from first hand experience of 10 years living in Sweden, learning the language is a huge part of assimilation into society. You'd be a fool to deny that.
No it's not, they can drive a car all they like with absolutely zero knowledge of English. This is about working in the customer service industry in an English speaking nation.But this isn't about learning the language. This is about being able to pass a written test in the language, in order to drive a car.
Or calling an ambulance/emergency services in the event of an accident.James O'Brien suggested that basic language proficiency is one way of improving safety, as it confirms an individual's ability to understand signage/signals on the road.
Am I missing something?No it's not, they can drive a car all they like with absolutely zero knowledge of English. This is about working in the customer service industry in an English speaking nation.
Oral tests would be good also, but the costs would be astronomical @vi1lain
Like I said - my mum would fail a written English exam, and that says nothing about her knowledge of English.The introduction of a written English language test for private hire drivers has been delayed after Uber won the right to appeal against the plans.
Transport for London (TfL) had wanted to revoke licences if drivers had not passed the test by 30 September.
My mum would fail most written English tests, even though she can speak English very well, albeit a slight accent, she's fully immersed into British society also and she's been here for over 25 years.
She just didn't go to school past 16, and didn't have to learn English until she was in her mid 30's.
Let's stop the arrogant stigma that language = assimilation, because it doesn't.
Written proficiency in English isn't sufficient to drive a car, nor does it indicate assimilation into society.
Agree with both these points.I agree. They need to be able to read and speak English, and know what to do in an emergency - I can't see that those are negotiable, as they need to follow road signs, speak to customers and take action if they have an accident (or the passenger becomes ill). However, apart from the basics, they surely don't need to be proficient in written English.
Yes you are, you stated they needed to complete a written English test in order to drive a car, which is absolutely untrue.Am I missing something?
Same question to you then, how do you cost effectively test Englaih proficiency?Agree with both these points.
My dad has lived in the UK for 30 years, knows most of the big cities like the back of his hand, drives well and speaks very good English.
However, he'd almost certainly fail a written test.
How does that make him unfit to become a taxi driver?
No I stated that they shouldn't need to complete a written English test in order to drive a car, which was the whole point of the article.Yes you are, you stated they needed to complete a written English test in order to drive a car, which is absolutely untrue.
They need to complete the test in order to work in the customer service industry.
How would be cost effectively test English language proficiency @vi1lain ?
Agreed. I know immigrants who can't read English but are fine at speaking it and are well assimilatedMy mum would fail most written English tests, even though she can speak English very well, albeit a slight accent, she's fully immersed into British society also and she's been here for over 25 years.
She just didn't go to school past 16, and didn't have to learn English until she was in her mid 30's.
Let's stop the arrogant stigma that language = assimilation, because it doesn't.
Written proficiency in English isn't sufficient to drive a car, nor does it indicate assimilation into society.
They don't ffs.No I stated that they shouldn't need to complete a written English test in order to drive a car
Your thoughts on The Knowledge then??Hope uber win their appeal, a English written test to drive a taxi is stupid
Given that a driving licence gained in one country is a recognised qualification in another, there is no further corroboration on the part of he employer regarding local rules or quirks. Yet if you are going to have care of one or more members of the public, it doesn't strike me as a serious imposition. It's not like they're going to be sent away with a work of Shakespeare and orders to write a follow-on essay.Or calling an ambulance/emergency services in the event of an accident.
I've always been fascinated with The Knowledge, and the intense prep taxi drivers go through. When I was in London I enjoyed the flexibility and cheap nature of Uber, however it would be a shame if that tradition was just wiped away.Your thoughts on The Knowledge then??
Exactly.Given that a driving licence gained in one country is a recognised qualification irrespective of borders, there s no further corroboration regarding local rules or local quirks on the part of he employer. And if you are going to have care of one or more members of the public, it doesn't strike me as a serious imposition. It's not like they're going to be sent away with a work of Sgakespeare with orders to write a follow-on essay.
It talks specifically about "Written". If they have oral and reading skills in English, then surely that is sufficient for customer service. When was the last time you needed a Uber/cab driver to write things down?No it's not, they can drive a car all they like with absolutely zero knowledge of English. This is about working in the customer service industry in an English speaking nation.
It's a written test, which understandably is the cheapest and simplist way of testing language proficiency in large numbers.It talks specifically about "Written".
There's also an oral/proficiency test involved in the process. The written test is remarkably pointless. My Dad has been through the test as he is a Cab Driver and it required him to write a paragraph of something meaningful that happened in his life, competely useless to his day to day job.It's a written test, which understandably is the cheapest and simplist way of testing language proficiency in large numbers.
You're making it seem as though not being able to pass a written test is a indicator of poor integration into society or inability to do the job you were hired for, and presumably trained for.They don't ffs.
No I'm not, at all.You're making it seem as though not being able to pass a written test is a indicator of poor integration into society or inability to do the job you were hired for, and presumably trained for.
This pretty much.Agree with the requirement - if you're going to live and work here dealing with locals you should speak the language.
Disagree with the reasoning for it - black cab licence holders trying to stifle competition
What is needed for driving is reading comprehension (to read road signs and such) and oral proficiency (for customer service). Cheap/Simple testing becomes immaterial when the skill itself is unnecessary.It's a written test, which understandably is the cheapest and simplist way of testing language proficiency in large numbers.
Wanting to do something, and needing to do something in order to get paid and earn a living are two different things.No I'm not, at all.
Though I would say, being able to write a paragraph about your life (see poster above) in the language of the country you live in is something that anyone should want to be able to do and can quite easily learn how to do. Within 6 months in Sweden I could manage that.
