1. What date was 'Topographical Skills Assessment at -London Topographical Centre 112 Salmon Lane Street, London E147PQ. suspended, and why? 2. How many Private Hire Driver's licences have been issued to persons who completed their Topographical Assessment at- London Topographical Centre at -112 Salmon Lane Street, London E14 7PQ' as of 24 September 2016 to date? 3. Was London Topographical centre at 112 Salmon Lane , London E14 7PQ an authorised accredited TFL Topological Assessment center on 24 September 2016? 4. What was the date when London Topographical -112 Salmon Lane Street London E147PQ ' was either last reviewed or given authority/accreditation to provide Topographical Assessments prior to 24 September ? If so, how many Private Hire Driver's licences have been issued by TFL since this date to date for applicants who completed their Topographical assessments successfully at -112 Salmon Lane Street E14 7PQ? 5. If Private Hire Driver licences have been issued to persons who have undertaken their Topographical Assessment at this accredited center from the date this center was last reviewed prior to 24 September 2016, and subsequently to date, why should or is the issue of my Private Hire Driver Licence any different to those which have been issued?

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Our Ref:          FOI-1873-1718

Thank you for your request received on 20 September 2017 asking for information about topographical skills assessments. I apologise for the delay in my response.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our Information Access Policy.  I can confirm we do hold the information you require.

1. What date was ’Topographical Skills Assessment at –London Topographical Centre 112 Salmon Lane Street, London E147PQ. suspended, and why?

The accreditation that was issued to London Topographical Centre ended on 26 September 2016. Shortly after this an investigation found them to be in breach of the requirement to provide a professional training/examination service.

2. How many Private Hire Driver’s licences have been issued to persons who completed their Topographical Assessment at- London Topographical Centre at -112 Salmon Lane Street, London E14 7PQ’ as of 24 September 2016 to date?

No applicant with a topographical assessment dated after 24 September 2016 from this centre has been licensed by TfL.

3. Was London Topographical Centre at 112 Salmon Lane, London E14 7PQ an authorised accredited TFL Topological Assessment center on 24 September 2016?

Yes, the London Topographical Centre was an accredited centre on 24 September 2016.

4. What was the date when London Topographical -112 Salmon Lane Street London E147PQ ‘ was either last reviewed or given authority /accreditation to provide Topographical Assessments prior to 24 September ? If so, how many Private Hire Driver’s licences have been issued by TFL since this date to date for applicants who completed their Topographical assessments successfully at -112 Salmon Lane Street E14 7PQ?

The London Topographical Centre was last reviewed on 25 April 2016. The number of private hire licences issued to drivers who completed their topographical skills test at London Topographical Centre between 25 April 2016 to 24 September 2016 is 296. No applicant with a topographical assessment dated after 24 September 2016 from this centre has been licensed by TfL. This figure includes those applicants that have passed a re-test, which was conducted by TfL, after being informed their London Topographical Centre topographical certificate would not be accepted.

5. If Private Hire Driver licences have been issued to persons who have undertaken their Topographical Assessment at this accredited centre from the date this center was last reviewed prior to 24 September 2016, and subsequently to date, why should or is the issue of my Private Hire Driver Licence any different to those which have been issued?

As the regulatory and licensing authority for taxi and private hire in London, our role is to ensure that all drivers have the necessary skills to transport the public safely. We will only issue licences to those applicants that meet the criteria for licensing and that includes being able to demonstrate they have the required topographical skills. Following our decision to no longer accept certificates issued by London Topographical Centre, we invited applicants to re-take the test to the correct standard directly with TfL at no extra cost to the applicant.

6. Why have I been told I can only re-take this assessment as your stipulated TFL Assessment centers, without taking into account any inconvenience this may arise for me in lieu of my valuable personal time and costs related for travel?

Following our decision to no longer accept certificates issued by London Topographical Centre, we invited applicants to re-take the test to the correct standard directly with TfL at no extra cost to the applicant. The reason applicants are required to undertake a re-test is to ensure they meet the required standard.

7. Does TFL accept that I have been discriminated against by not issuing me my Private Hire Licence whilst others who have also taken the test at this TFL accredited center, either on the same day as me or within the periods stipulated in No.3, No.4 or No.5 above?

TfL does not accept that you have been discriminated against. Please see our response to question 5.

If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]

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