Wolverhampton cabbies criticise English skills of foreign drivers
Taxi drivers are demanding a clamp down on the number of foreign cabbies being given licences amid concerns about their level of English.
In Wolverhampton the city council assessed 20 Romanian drivers who arrived in a single month last year.
Chairman of the The Taxi Owners Association Parminder Sekhon says there is not enough work for cabbies to go around and said foreign drivers were being handed licences after 'simply saying they know where New Cross Hospital is'.
Wolverhampton City Council said it would refuse licences for cabbies who cannot speak adequate levels of English.
It also revoked one licence last year because the driver could not speak English to a satisfactory level.
Mr Sekhon said: "We've had stories from passengers such as one person who was meant to be going to a wedding in Bridgnorth, but ended up stuck in Claverley because the foreign driver was just following a sat nav.
"They just ask for the postcode when you get in the car.
"The council gives them a licence if they know where New Cross Hospital is so they can get someone having a stroke there quickly.
"But there's no proper criminal background checks done like there are for British drivers. They just get a letter from the authorities in Romania.
"There are hundreds of taxis in Wolverhampton. There's no work left as it is.
"The council makes its money from the licence."
Wolverhampton City Council said it makes prospective drivers pass a test to identify key places in Wolverhampton and how to get there and that they have to pass a written test to ensure they have adequate skills in reading and understanding English.
Licensing manager Colin Parr said: "We have drivers from around the world who are required to meet the same standard.
"To suggest we licence drivers who cannot speak English or do not know where key locations are is a nonsense.
"In terms of local knowledge, drivers are required to sit a practical assessment for a couple of hours.
"There are 50 locations in total and some key locations such as the hospital, West Park, Bentley Bridge.
"Drivers are assessed on their knowledge of the city.
"We introduced a requirement in 2012 that all drivers must be able to communicate in English to a satisfactory level.
"It's whether they understand the need to make a detour or stop at a cash point. It's not how did the Wolves get on last night, it's understanding what's needed to be a taxi driver.
"We don't make allowances for people who can't speak English. We direct people to courses to upskill themselves."
He said there were 20 drivers who came through in the space of a month from Romania.
