Car ride service Uber said on Thursday it had been granted permission for a legal review of a proposed new English language test for its drivers in London that it said was tougher than the level needed to obtain British citizenship.
The company said a new requirement for all licensed private hire drivers from a non-English speaking country to pass a two-hour written English exam was disproportionate and contravened the Equality Act.
Public body Transport for London (TfL) proposed new restrictions on the way private hire firms operate last year after month of demonstrations from drivers of the capital’s black cabs.
Permission was also granted for a review of rules on the location of its call center—TfL wants the company to set up a London call center—and a requirement to inform TfL before it makes changes to its app, Uber said.
However, it was denied a review of a requirement that drivers have commercial insurance for a vehicle even when it is not being used as a private hire vehicle.
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Uber’s London General Manager Tom Elvidge said he was pleased a legal review had been granted.
“TfL’s plans threaten the livelihoods of thousands of drivers in London, while also stifling tech companies like Uber,” he said in a statement.
TfL was not immediately available to comment.