Please can you therefore provide me with the number of mini cab / private hire drivers who were issued with licences by TFL who used the “Btec Level 2 certificate in introduction to the role of the professional taxi and private hire driver” in 2018 using that qualification - as an ‘exemption’ for their test (pertaining to either English test or topographical assessment). A total number for 2018 is being requested. And separately a total number for 2019.

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TfL Ref: FOI-1465-1920

Thank you for your request received by us on 15 August 2019.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do not hold the specific information you require.

I can advise that applicants for a taxi driver’s licence are not required to pass a topographical assessment as part of their application. Taxi drivers are required to pass the Knowledge of London, full details of the Knowledge of London examination process can be found on our website at the following location: www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/learn-the-knowledge-of-london.

Private hire applicants are required to undertake a topographical skills assessment as part of their application. However, applicants may be exempt if they are:

• Previously licensed private hire drivers who have passed a TfL topographical skills assessment

   

• Licensed London taxi drivers - All London and Suburban

   

• Professional London tourists guides (eg Blue Badge Driver Guide)

   

• An individual who can provide evidence of a relevant vocational qualification in passenger transport (eg NVQ or equivalent).

The ‘BTEC Level 2 certificate in introduction to the role of the professional taxi and private hire driver’ is an exemption we currently accept from sitting a topographical skills assessment. Please visit the TfL web page for further details: www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/licensing/private-hire-driver-licence.

However, we do not record what specific qualification will have been submitted by an applicant when we decide to accept their evidence as an exemption from undertaking an assessment and so are unable to provide this information. We can however confirm the number of licences that have been issued where an exemption has been granted from undertaking an assessment where a recognised qualification has been provided by the applicant. The table below provides a breakdown of the data we hold for this:

Year	No of private hire drivers who submitted evidence of a relevant vocational qualification in passenger transport and were subsequently licensed
2017 (May to December)	63
2018	1196
2019 (January to July)	2806

With regards to the English language requirement for private hire drivers, we do not hold this information as existing licensees or applicants have until 30 September 2020 to provide evidence that they meet this requirement. Anyone applying for a new licence, or seeking to renew their licence on or after 1 October 2020 will need to satisfy the English language requirement before a licence will be granted. Full details can be found on our website at the following location: www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/english-language-requirement.

If you have any queries or would like to discuss your request, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Jasmine Howard

FOI Case Officer

Information Governance

Transport For London

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