The English Language Requirement is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings and TfL has decided to extend the time available for applicants to prove that they can communicate in English at the appropriate level to 30 September 2017.
Extending the deadline means that the precise scope of the requirement will be clear, after the proceedings are concluded, and it will also allow drivers more time to comply. Any licence holder, who made an application received by TfL on or after 14 October 2016, and fails to comply by the new 30 September 2017 deadline, may face licensing action.
https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/taxis-and-private-hire/english-language-requirement