If you have received a letter along with your TfL Private Hire Drivers Licence that mentions the conditions TA1, TA2, TA3, or TA4, you may be wondering what they mean. These conditions are part of the Transitional Arrangements (TA) put in place by TfL regarding the English language requirement for private hire drivers. The English language requirement was changed from a B1 English test or evidence of existing qualifications to the new SERU assessment and Speaking & Listening test with TfL. There are four transitional arrangements set by TfL for private hire driver applicants, and I will explain each one to help you understand how they affect your licence.
TA1 applies to existing private hire drivers in London who did not provide any evidence for the English language requirement by September 30, 2021. If you fall into TA1, you have until September 30, 2023, to take and pass the SERU assessment and English speaking and listening test.
TA2 applies to drivers who did provide evidence for the English language requirement by September 30, 2021. If you fall into TA2, TfL is still reviewing your evidence, and it can have two outcomes. If your evidence is satisfactory, you won’t need to take the Speaking & Listening test, but you will still need to complete the SERU assessment by March 31, 2025. If your evidence is unsatisfactory, you will need to take and pass both the English language speaking and listening test and the SERU assessment by September 30, 2024. This requirement may be listed as a condition on your private hire driver’s licence.
TA3 applies to drivers who applied for their private hire licence on or after October 1, 2021. If you fall into TA3, it means you have not taken any English language requirement tests, and you will need to complete both the SERU assessment and English language speaking and listening test by September 30, 2024. It’s important to note that TA3 only applies to drivers who applied between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023. Drivers who applied from April 1, 2023, onwards are required to take and pass both the SERU assessment and English language speaking and listening test before being licensed.
TA4 applies to drivers who applied for their Private Hire Drivers licence after April 1, 2023. If you fall under TA4, you must take and pass both the SERU assessment and English Speaking and Listening test before being issued your private hire driver’s licence by TfL.
It is important that you comprehend the transitional arrangements that apply to you in order to ensure that all necessary tests are finished before the specified date. Failing to complete the SERU assessment or the English language speaking and listening test may lead to the revocation of your private hire licence.
The upcoming transitional arrangement deadline is September 30, 2023. If you are a current driver who has not provided any evidence for the English language requirement, TfL will invite you to attend the SERU assessment and English language speaking and listening test.