Agenda item

Mick Sims, Licensing Manager, introduced a proposal to implement a mandatory English Language Competency Test for all new applicants for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver licenses.

Currently, there was no policy or provision to ensure that new applicants for driver licenses had a sufficient understanding of the English language. Competency in English was essential to ensure that drivers could converse with fare paying passengers and the public in general, but would also help to protect drivers when dealing with problematic customers.

In order to address this, it was proposed that Slough mirror many other authorities in implementing an English Language Competency test for all new drivers. A review of the available tests had shown that the Versant English Test may be fit for purpose, though this remained to be confirmed. The Versant English test was an assessment to measure how well a person understood and spoke English. The duration of the test was approximately 15 minutes, and could be undertaken via phone or computer. The passing score would likely be set at ‘B2’ on the ‘Common European Framework of Reference for Languages’, which was summarised as “the ability to hold conversations on a range of everyday topics, with infrequent errors’.

It was proposed that in order to combat fraudulent behaviour, the test would be conducted in the presence of a Licensing Officer. The cost implications to purchase the test materials would be approximately £25.00, though this would be borne by the applicants alongside a nominal fee to cover officer time (value yet to be determined).

Members asked several questions, including:

Would existing license holders be required to take the test? Only new applicants would be required to undertake the test.

How many other authorities had implemented such a policy? To date, approximately 50% of authorities in England and Wales had instigated an English Language Competency test for new driver applicants.

What if, in consultation, Operators opposed the policy? The consultation would be used to seek Operators views, but their opposition would not prohibit the implementation of the policy.

Would there be any exemptions to the test? Other factors could be taken into consideration, e.g. length of time spent in the country, educational qualifications etc. These could then be used to determine whether an exemption was warranted.

Resolved -   That the adoption of a mandatory English Language Competency test for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers be approved.