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Mini cab drivers English language tests

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

Transport for London is introducing English language tests as part of the licensing for mini cab drivers. This includes a written (multiple choice) test.

Uber thinks this is excessive and unnecessary for the role and will cost people their jobs.

I saw some of the questions on the local news report and, using the Fab forum posts as the benchmark, a fair few would fail.

Do you think mini cab drivers should have a reasonable standard of English, sufficient to understand the licensing documents they sign, or is it a step too far?

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/uber-warns-tfl-english-tests-will-cost-thousands-of-drivers-their-jobs-a3316821.html

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

They certainly should have very good spoken English Imo. Written English I can see as likely the easiest way to test comprehension and fluency with an oral test.

I'm generally against the likes of Uber and glad to see them banned in parts here in Texas.

If someone had an accident I'd like a cab driver who could communicate with the emergency services with excellent ease, potentially saving lives.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I can't see how a taxi driver being able to fully understand road signs, communicate with passengers and as has been said, communicate with emergency services etc could be a bad idea.

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman
over a year ago

evesham


"They certainly should have very good spoken English Imo. Written English I can see as likely the easiest way to test comprehension and fluency with an oral test.

I'm generally against the likes of Uber and glad to see them banned in parts here in Texas.

If someone had an accident I'd like a cab driver who could communicate with the emergency services with excellent ease, potentially saving lives."

when did you move to texas?

i think as they are in a public facing service job then being able to speak and understand other people and road signs etc is pretty essential. i used to work in a call centre and we would make all applicants do a spelling test and a visual test to see if they could spot all of the mistakes in 2 sets of data because they were key skills to the job.

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

A good standard of English is a good idea.

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

Sooo... if all the mini cab drivers fail the test should the test change?

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By *ohnaronMan
over a year ago

london

Question 1 Have you ever considered insuring your vehicle?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I would have liked the lady in my laundrette to have been able to understand me properly. It would have saved a lot of time,gesticulation and embarrassing miming from me.

As for people ferrying others around I think they all should have a reasonable standard of English,including bus drivers.

I was on a bus when a man on a small mobility scooter fell into the road at the crossing our bus had stopped at. He was injured and when the police came they tried to speak to the bus driver,who had a good view of what happened. He could barely get his story across so I helped out; as I had seen it from a seat behind the driver.

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By *kin BohnerMan
over a year ago

derby

How on earth do you get a UK driving licence if you can't speak English to a reasonable standard never mind a taxi operators licence! Mind you saying that I work alongside some eastern european lorry drivers and I'm gobsmacked they have UK licences and even the dcpc that requires drivers to undergo additional trainging.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Sooo... if all the mini cab drivers fail the test should the test change?

"

They won't all fail,but no. If they deem the test to be the minimum standard of English they should stick to it. I've only had a couple of drivers who had bad English; they could still communicate,but speaking is nothing like comprehension of written tests.

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By *roticGoddessXXWoman
over a year ago

Richmond

A different perspective.....if you insist that all taxi drivers (and service people in general) to have good English skills, you're fucked.

Costs will go up exorbitantly if only native English proficiency people had to work for the wages many immigrants settle for.

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound


"Sooo... if all the mini cab drivers fail the test should the test change?

They won't all fail,but no. If they deem the test to be the minimum standard of English they should stick to it. I've only had a couple of drivers who had bad English; they could still communicate,but speaking is nothing like comprehension of written tests. "

The questions are multiple choice but seem to include sentences with 'should have' and 'should of' examples.

I accept (albeit reluctantly at times) that we can understand what is meant when 'should of' is used but it would be the wrong answer for the test.

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound


"A different perspective.....if you insist that all taxi drivers (and service people in general) to have good English skills, you're fucked.

Costs will go up exorbitantly if only native English proficiency people had to work for the wages many immigrants settle for."

I think Uber might agree, especially as they are cutting what drivers get. Uber drivers went on strike this week.

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound


"I would have liked the lady in my laundrette to have been able to understand me properly. It would have saved a lot of time,gesticulation and embarrassing miming from me.

As for people ferrying others around I think they all should have a reasonable standard of English,including bus drivers.

I was on a bus when a man on a small mobility scooter fell into the road at the crossing our bus had stopped at. He was injured and when the police came they tried to speak to the bus driver,who had a good view of what happened. He could barely get his story across so I helped out; as I had seen it from a seat behind the driver. "

I haven't seen the bus driver test but you would expect that it would include English language.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"A different perspective.....if you insist that all taxi drivers (and service people in general) to have good English skills, you're fucked.

Costs will go up exorbitantly if only native English proficiency people had to work for the wages many immigrants settle for."

They will have to learn English; they're going to be living here for years anyway. I have had foreign born cabbies complain about migrants flooding the cabbing business and making it harder for them to get work. As one said,more drivers means less jobs for each one. The price has gone down because they want to get the work.

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By *uperock99Man
over a year ago

Milton Keynes

I think anyone who works in UK should speeko the English wtf,

If I want to work in France etc I must speak there's so why is this country allowing this

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I would have liked the lady in my laundrette to have been able to understand me properly. It would have saved a lot of time,gesticulation and embarrassing miming from me.

As for people ferrying others around I think they all should have a reasonable standard of English,including bus drivers.

I was on a bus when a man on a small mobility scooter fell into the road at the crossing our bus had stopped at. He was injured and when the police came they tried to speak to the bus driver,who had a good view of what happened. He could barely get his story across so I helped out; as I had seen it from a seat behind the driver.

I haven't seen the bus driver test but you would expect that it would include English language.

"

That's what I thought. How can someone with that bad English be a bus driver. He had some English but couldn't explain what had happened to the man. His vocabulary was limited.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I think anyone who works in UK should speeko the English wtf,

If I want to work in France etc I must speak there's so why is this country allowing this "

Don't get everyone started

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By *oncupiscentTonyMan
over a year ago

Kent


"How on earth do you get a UK driving licence if you can't speak English to a reasonable standard never mind a taxi operators licence! Mind you saying that I work alongside some eastern european lorry drivers and I'm gobsmacked they have UK licences and even the dcpc that requires drivers to undergo additional trainging. "

You don't need a UK issued license to drive in the UK

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"A different perspective.....if you insist that all taxi drivers (and service people in general) to have good English skills, you're fucked.

Costs will go up exorbitantly if only native English proficiency people had to work for the wages many immigrants settle for.

I think Uber might agree, especially as they are cutting what drivers get. Uber drivers went on strike this week.

"

They probably found out what black cab drivers charge.

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound


"A different perspective.....if you insist that all taxi drivers (and service people in general) to have good English skills, you're fucked.

Costs will go up exorbitantly if only native English proficiency people had to work for the wages many immigrants settle for.

I think Uber might agree, especially as they are cutting what drivers get. Uber drivers went on strike this week.

They probably found out what black cab drivers charge. "

It's the cut Uber want to take, I think. Their argument is that reducing their rate will mean they will have to claim benefits and they don't think that Uber should profit when the public have to prop up their wages.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've been seen by a doctor (after childbirth),and a psychiatrist who had terrible English. I must say it didn't make me feel confident.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"A different perspective.....if you insist that all taxi drivers (and service people in general) to have good English skills, you're fucked.

Costs will go up exorbitantly if only native English proficiency people had to work for the wages many immigrants settle for.

I think Uber might agree, especially as they are cutting what drivers get. Uber drivers went on strike this week.

They probably found out what black cab drivers charge.

It's the cut Uber want to take, I think. Their argument is that reducing their rate will mean they will have to claim benefits and they don't think that Uber should profit when the public have to prop up their wages.

"

Which happens with a lot of other occupations. Employers have to pay the minimum wage,so they cut hours,knowing they will get working tax credits. If they have a family that could work out a lot of money.

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular

Uber are against the test because it restricts who can work for them.

Uber are against any form of regulation because it restricts their profits.

They already flout the regulations by having their HQ in the Nederlands and do not have a landline for complaints.

Sexual assaults on women including rape passengers have gone through the roof recently. Most of these attacks have been by Uber drivers.

Earlier this week an Uber driver was convicted of murdering a shop keeper for having different religious views.

Last month another Uber driver was found guilty of attempted murder after attempting to have a random traveller on the underground to death.

Uber do not like this type of bad publicity and use private detectives to dish dirt on anti uber campaigners and whistle blowers.

For every job there are minimum standards that should be adhered to. Uber do not believe they should have to adhere to those minimum standards for safety and competence

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound


"Uber are against the test because it restricts who can work for them.

Uber are against any form of regulation because it restricts their profits.

They already flout the regulations by having their HQ in the Nederlands and do not have a landline for complaints.

Sexual assaults on women including rape passengers have gone through the roof recently. Most of these attacks have been by Uber drivers.

Earlier this week an Uber driver was convicted of murdering a shop keeper for having different religious views.

Last month another Uber driver was found guilty of attempted murder after attempting to have a random traveller on the underground to death.

Uber do not like this type of bad publicity and use private detectives to dish dirt on anti uber campaigners and whistle blowers.

For every job there are minimum standards that should be adhered to. Uber do not believe they should have to adhere to those minimum standards for safety and competence "

What do you think about the B1 test requirement?

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular

The test is needed to filter out many of the applicants that are unsuitable for dealing with members of the public.

There are now 100,000 private hire drivers in London, that doesn't include out of town Uber drivers illegally working in the metropolis.

London is one of the greatest cities in the world, allowing visitors to this great city to be ferried around by drivers who do not have a minimum grasp of the English language or any topographical knowledge is plain wrong. There have been incidents of passengers being taken to the wrong destination because the driver didn't understand enough English to programme his satnav correctly.

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound


"The test is needed to filter out many of the applicants that are unsuitable for dealing with members of the public.

There are now 100,000 private hire drivers in London, that doesn't include out of town Uber drivers illegally working in the metropolis.

London is one of the greatest cities in the world, allowing visitors to this great city to be ferried around by drivers who do not have a minimum grasp of the English language or any topographical knowledge is plain wrong. There have been incidents of passengers being taken to the wrong destination because the driver didn't understand enough English to programme his satnav correctly. "

Map reading should be included on the test.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Transport for London is introducing English language tests as part of the licensing for mini cab drivers. This includes a written (multiple choice) test.

Uber thinks this is excessive and unnecessary for the role and will cost people their jobs.

I saw some of the questions on the local news report and, using the Fab forum posts as the benchmark, a fair few would fail.

Do you think mini cab drivers should have a reasonable standard of English, sufficient to understand the licensing documents they sign, or is it a step too far?

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/uber-warns-tfl-english-tests-will-cost-thousands-of-drivers-their-jobs-a3316821.html"

If they can't read or understand the licensing documents they have to sign, they, nor the employer has any legal protection, surely?

So I'd say it's a good idea.

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound


"Transport for London is introducing English language tests as part of the licensing for mini cab drivers. This includes a written (multiple choice) test.

Uber thinks this is excessive and unnecessary for the role and will cost people their jobs.

I saw some of the questions on the local news report and, using the Fab forum posts as the benchmark, a fair few would fail.

Do you think mini cab drivers should have a reasonable standard of English, sufficient to understand the licensing documents they sign, or is it a step too far?

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/uber-warns-tfl-english-tests-will-cost-thousands-of-drivers-their-jobs-a3316821.html

If they can't read or understand the licensing documents they have to sign, they, nor the employer has any legal protection, surely?

So I'd say it's a good idea. "

They could have someone translate it for them but you make a good point, particularly as it relates to Uber and mini cab companies.

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By *verage JosephMan
over a year ago

Grays & London

Not only that test I believe they should be made to do the knowledge of London like every black taxi driver has had to do! Spend 4yrs studying and STILL better than any satnav the uber use

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By *kin BohnerMan
over a year ago

derby


"How on earth do you get a UK driving licence if you can't speak English to a reasonable standard never mind a taxi operators licence! Mind you saying that I work alongside some eastern european lorry drivers and I'm gobsmacked they have UK licences and even the dcpc that requires drivers to undergo additional trainging.

You don't need a UK issued license to drive in the UK "

I believe you do if you are useing it for work but you certainly do after a year in the country.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There is a definite a clear need for taxi drivers to understand the English language.

If not, how the hell are we going to get into their cab at 2 o' clock in the morning, hurl half eaten kebab around their Toyota Avensis interior and abuse the fuck out of them with d*unken diatribe and ethnic insults?

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular

There have been many documented cases of applicants using Bluetooth devices to help with translation during the current tests

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London


"

If someone had an accident I'd like a cab driver who could communicate with the emergency services with excellent ease, potentially saving lives."

I'd rather a doctor that can speak English than a cabbie. I've had to ask a doctor to get someone who could speak English for him to get a colleague with worst English than him!!! It was like something out of a comedy sketch.

I told them I'd reschedule my appointment when they could find a doctor who spoke English. They were able to write/dictate a letter to my gp saying I'd refused treatment though!

Anyone who's attended King's College London will know what I'm talking about!

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London


"Question 1 Have you ever considered insuring your vehicle?"

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London


"A different perspective.....if you insist that all taxi drivers (and service people in general) to have good English skills, you're fucked.

Costs will go up exorbitantly if only native English proficiency people had to work for the wages many immigrants settle for."

Just reading the standard of English on the forums from natives makes me wonder if they're employed as they wouldn't work for me!

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London


"I've been seen by a doctor (after childbirth),and a psychiatrist who had terrible English. I must say it didn't make me feel confident."

I walked out of a consultation as I couldn't understand the doctor!

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By *osieWoman
over a year ago

Wembley


"Question 1 Have you ever considered insuring your vehicle?"

How many serviceable tyres must your Taxi have?

a) two

b) three

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London

[Removed by poster at 12/08/16 10:51:36]

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By *iss_tressWoman
over a year ago

London


"Question 1 Have you ever considered insuring your vehicle?

How many serviceable tyres must your Taxi have?

a) two

b) three"

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By *ust RachelTV/TS
over a year ago

Horsham

I work with quite a few different foreign nationals, for me it is a must that they be able to read & write in English.

Too many mistakes are put down to the language barrier.

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular

1025 rapes, beatings and sexual assaults in one year by private hire drivers. That works out to 22 incidents every week

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"A different perspective.....if you insist that all taxi drivers (and service people in general) to have good English skills, you're fucked.

Costs will go up exorbitantly if only native English proficiency people had to work for the wages many immigrants settle for.

Just reading the standard of English on the forums from natives makes me wonder if they're employed as they wouldn't work for me! "

You don't need an English degree to drive a taxi though. They need to communicate and comprehend,not write a grammatically correct essay.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I've been seen by a doctor (after childbirth),and a psychiatrist who had terrible English. I must say it didn't make me feel confident.

I walked out of a consultation as I couldn't understand the doctor! "

Funny, when I was still married and my mother-in-law was alive, I had to help her communicate with the doctor. She was Nigerian and had lived here for over 50 years but the doctor would not slow down and speak clearly for anyone. The doctor was English.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I've been seen by a doctor (after childbirth),and a psychiatrist who had terrible English. I must say it didn't make me feel confident.

I walked out of a consultation as I couldn't understand the doctor!

Funny, when I was still married and my mother-in-law was alive, I had to help her communicate with the doctor. She was Nigerian and had lived here for over 50 years but the doctor would not slow down and speak clearly for anyone. The doctor was English."

I feel like I'm being a bit condescending when I do that though. We have a high population of migrants in my area,and some have very limited English-the lady in the launderette for instance. Talking slow and miming doesn't always help. Did you have trouble understanding the doctor? It can be very upsetting when you feel unwell and can't understand what is being said. It's also not nice to have to say to someone we can't understand you. I worked with a maths teacher who spoke English with a strong Arabic accent. The students struggled badly,I could just about understand him so translated. He was a lovely man and I felt terrible saying to him that the students can't understand him.

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By *aren1956TV/TS
over a year ago

Fakenham

Uber are one of the unacceptable faces of capitalism and should be driven (no pun intended) out of this country.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't wanna chat with them. As long as they can put a postcode in their sat nav it's ok.

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound


"A different perspective.....if you insist that all taxi drivers (and service people in general) to have good English skills, you're fucked.

Costs will go up exorbitantly if only native English proficiency people had to work for the wages many immigrants settle for.

Just reading the standard of English on the forums from natives makes me wonder if they're employed as they wouldn't work for me!

You don't need an English degree to drive a taxi though. They need to communicate and comprehend,not write a grammatically correct essay. "

The test appears to require them to understand which sentence form is grammatically correct. All of the sentences could, and probably would, be understood in English (as proven on here every day).

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"I've been seen by a doctor (after childbirth),and a psychiatrist who had terrible English. I must say it didn't make me feel confident.

I walked out of a consultation as I couldn't understand the doctor!

Funny, when I was still married and my mother-in-law was alive, I had to help her communicate with the doctor. She was Nigerian and had lived here for over 50 years but the doctor would not slow down and speak clearly for anyone. The doctor was English.

I feel like I'm being a bit condescending when I do that though. We have a high population of migrants in my area,and some have very limited English-the lady in the launderette for instance. Talking slow and miming doesn't always help. Did you have trouble understanding the doctor? It can be very upsetting when you feel unwell and can't understand what is being said. It's also not nice to have to say to someone we can't understand you. I worked with a maths teacher who spoke English with a strong Arabic accent. The students struggled badly,I could just about understand him so translated. He was a lovely man and I felt terrible saying to him that the students can't understand him. "

I did not but I am a professional translator and interpreter. I had to relay it into normal everyday English for my mother-in-law.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago


"Transport for London is introducing English language tests as part of the licensing for mini cab drivers. This includes a written (multiple choice) test.

Uber thinks this is excessive and unnecessary for the role and will cost people their jobs.

I saw some of the questions on the local news report and, using the Fab forum posts as the benchmark, a fair few would fail.

Do you think mini cab drivers should have a reasonable standard of English, sufficient to understand the licensing documents they sign, or is it a step too far?

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/uber-warns-tfl-english-tests-will-cost-thousands-of-drivers-their-jobs-a3316821.html"

I think anybody dealing with the public should have a good level of the language of the country they are living in

How can you deal with people you are working with if there is a language barrier

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By *olgateMan
over a year ago

on the road to nowhere in particular


"I don't wanna chat with them. As long as they can put a postcode in their sat nav it's ok. "

How do they do that if they

A: don't understand what you are saying?

B: don't understand what the satnav is telling them?

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By *icketysplits OP   Woman
over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

Uber have said they will take TfL to court over the tests.

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By *ohnaronMan
over a year ago

london

I written to Uber asking them to send a cab

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