We, the concerned citizens of London, hereby request the immediate removal of the SERU (Safety, Equality and regulatory understanding) assessment imposed on all London Private Hire Drivers in our city. This assessment has proven to be burdensome, unfair, and unnecessary for drivers who already possess valid licenses and have undergone rigorous training.

Here are some key reasons why implementing SERU solely for new drivers is a more effective solution:

1. Unjust Burden: The SERU assessment places an additional financial burden on private hire drivers who are already struggling to make ends meet. These hardworking individuals contribute significantly to our city's transportation system and should not be subjected to unnecessary expenses that do not enhance public safety.

2. Financial Implications: The cost associated with undertaking the SERU assessment places an unnecessary financial burden on already hardworking individuals who rely on their income as private hire drivers to support themselves and their families. London's private hire drivers often work long hours to meet the demands of a bustling city, leaving them with limited time for personal commitments or rest periods between shifts. Adding another mandatory assessment further restricts their time availability without significant benefits. The introduction of the SERU assessment has imposed an unnecessary financial burden on aspiring private hire drivers who are already struggling with high licensing fees and other associated costs. Many individuals seeking employment in this sector come from disadvantaged backgrounds or face economic challenges; therefore, adding another costly requirement further restricts their access to job opportunities.

Redundant Requirements: Private hire drivers in London are already required to pass a comprehensive licensing process that includes background checks, medical examinations, knowledge tests, and vehicle inspections. The addition of the SERU assessment is redundant as it duplicates existing measures without providing any substantial benefits. 70%-80% drivers will fail the SERU assessment which means that ordinary drivers will be unemployed and there will not be enough PHV drivers to provide service for customers within London, this means private hire operator company such as uber and bolts will apply for driverless cars, this means people relying more on government to support them and their families as most people income is based as a London Private Hire (PHV) driver.

Ineffective Safety Measure: Despite claims that the SERU assessment improves road safety by evaluating driver knowledge of routes and traffic regulations, there is no concrete evidence supporting this assertion. The Transport for London (TfL) has failed to provide statistics or studies demonstrating a correlation between passing the SERU assessment and reduced accidents or improved navigation skills.

4. Experience Matters: Existing drivers have already demonstrated their ability to navigate our roads safely over an extended period. Their years of experience contribute significantly to their driving skills and awareness. All London Private Hire driver’s sole income relies on this job and revoking a drivers License after two failed tests is unfair and unnecessary.

Source: [Department of Transportation Annual Report]

4. Discriminatory Impact: The implementation of the SERU assessment disproportionately affects minority communities who rely heavily on private hire services due to limited access to public transportation options. An example is London Ambulances, due to a shortage most Hospital give contracts to their local London Private Hire companies so they are able to give help transport disabled, elderly and sick patients, such as chemotherapy, dialysis patients and patient who have regular hospital appointment and patients with heart condition.  Londin Public transport is unable to provides these services to hospital patients whereas London Private Hire Drivers can. This policy exacerbates existing inequalities by imposing additional barriers on individuals seeking employment opportunities within their own neighbourhoods. An example is if new drivers are unable to purchased electric cars for PCO license then they will not be paying government tax and most will be relying on government job seekers allowances to help them and their families. The SERU assessment only just adds stress for the family, driver and government. Government main aim is to help everyone into an appropriate job and this complicated SERU will only push people to claim job seekers rather than edge towards applying for a PCO License.

We realise that black taxi London Public transport are given priorities, however, this is not enough as London Private Hire (PHV) drivers are willing to travel further away from London and is relevantly cheaper for middle class families or anyone that doesn’t wish to spend to much or wish for a door-to-door service. Black taxi only provides their service within central London and are very expensive for most people and their service is not door-to-door which London Private Hire (PHV) driver provide.

5. Lack of Transparency: TfL has not been forthcoming with information regarding how revenue generated from these assessments is utilized or reinvested into improving public transportation infrastructure or driver support programs. Without transparency in fund allocation, it raises concerns about whether these assessments serve as mere revenue-generating tactics rather than genuine efforts towards enhancing road safety. The SERU assessments is consists of two parts, the first part most drivers can pass as its multiple options and the second parts is Grammer related and most drivers find it hard to pass. This is irrelevant and Grammer is not necessary as it makes drivers feel like there are there to pass their GCSE exam.

We urge TfL to reconsider the SERU assessment for London private hire drivers and focus on implementing measures that truly enhance public safety without burdening hardworking individuals. Let us prioritize fairness, transparency, and evidence-based policies that benefit both drivers and passengers alike.

Sign this petition to support the removal of the SERU assessment for all London private hire drivers and ensure a more equitable transportation system in our city. Together, we can advocate for positive change that benefits everyone involved.

If the SERU is not removed then all London Private Hire drivers will appeal and go to court with this.

Behalf of all London Private Hire (PHV) drivers 

Lukman Ahmed 

London