New hackney carriage and private hire driver applicants in Wigan must now prove they can use English to at least Entry Level 3 before their licence application will be accepted.
The rule took effect on 5 October 2026. It applies to new driver applications, not as a blanket re-test of every existing licensed driver.
What you must show
Wigan Council says applicants can meet the standard with evidence of one of the following UK-recognised qualifications:
- GCSE English Language Grade 2 or above
- GCSE English Language Grade D or above
- O Level English Language Grade D or above
- ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) Entry Level 3 or above
- Any other recognised qualification at Level 3 or above
Qualification levels are set out on GOV.UK. If you hold a listed qualification but cannot produce the certificate or other evidence, you still have to take the council assessment.
Applications submitted without either the right paperwork or a pass on the assessment will be rejected. Any licence fee already paid will be refunded.
The £50 council assessment
Applicants without acceptable evidence must pass Wigan’s English Language Competency Assessment before applying. It costs £50 per attempt, separate from the council’s normal driver licensing fees (a new three-year hackney or private hire driver application is currently listed at £463 including the knowledge test).
After online payment, a licensing officer should contact the applicant within two to five working days to book a slot. Assessments run once a month, subject to availability, and are delivered by the council’s Adult Learning and Skills team.
The test covers speaking and listening, reading and writing. Results are emailed within five to 10 working days, subject to demand. A pass email can be uploaded with the driver licence application. Those who fall short will be told how they can still evidence Entry Level 3 English.
At Entry Level 3, Wigan says you should typically be able to join everyday conversations with some confidence, follow more detailed instructions, read short everyday texts, and write short messages, forms, emails or simple reports.
Why councils are tightening English rules
Department for Transport statutory taxi and private hire standards say licensing authorities should test oral and written English so drivers can understand safeguarding policies and guidance, and communicate with passengers — including spotting signs of exploitation involving children and vulnerable adults.
Wigan’s move puts that expectation into a hard evidence-or-test gate for new applicants. Anyone planning to apply should check certificates now, or budget time and £50 for the monthly assessment before submitting a licence form.