Uber has urged Transport for London to drop new requirements for drivers to pass a written English exam, saying thousands could be put out of business.

From 1 October, anyone from a non-English-speaking country who applies to TfL for a private car hire licence or to renew an existing licence will have to prove that they have passed an exam in English.

Initial proposals called for proficiency only in spoken English, but updated plans from TfL include a requirement to pass a two-hour written exam as well, which will cost £200 to sit.

Uber London’s general manager, Tom Elvidge, called on users of the ride-hailing app to write to the London mayor, Sadiq Khan. Elvidge said the new system would threaten the livelihood of thousands of drivers.

Sample papers for the exams include an “extended writing” task in which candidates are asked to write a short essay.

Tom Elvidge condemned the updated TfL language requirements. Photograph: Felix Clay/The Guardian

One question reads: “Write an essay (100-130 words) for your teacher about a festival in a country you know.”

Another reads: “A friend in another town is going to study at your college and wants to know about the college rules. Write a letter to your friend (100-130 words).”

In his email to Uber users, Elvidge said the exam demands a higher level of English than the British citizenship test, which only asks for speaking and listening skills.

The requirement also exceeds the level demanded of government employees in “customer-facing roles”, such as a teaching assistant or someone answering the phone in a local authority office.

The private care hire licence test is B1 level, also known as entry level 3, or the level of achievement that the national curriculum expects from nine- to 11-year-olds.

Adults with skills below entry level 3 may not be able to understand price labels on pre-packaged food or pay household bills, according to the business ministry.

The requirements from TfL build on proposals set out last year by the then London mayor, Boris Johnson. Johnson dropped some of the most rigorous proposals, such as charging operators more for a minicab licence or enforcing a minimum five-minute period between ordering a cab and starting the journey.

After TfL’s surprise decision to require a written English qualification, Uber is asking users to copy and paste prepared text into an email and send it to Khan’s office.

A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said he was ‘determined to create a vibrant taxi and private hire market’. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

It reads: “I agree with you that it’s vital London remains open and that everybody has the chance to succeed, whatever their background. However, I’m concerned that new rules from Transport for London will threaten the livelihoods of thousands of licensed private hire drivers in our city.

“Forcing all drivers from non-English-speaking countries to pass a £200 two-hour written English exam goes way beyond what’s needed to help Londoners get from A to B.”

TfL said: “These changes are being introduced to raise standards in London’s private hire industry, improving safety and convenience for customers.”

Uber also wants TfL to reconsider plans to force drivers to hold “hire and reward” commercial insurance all year round, even if they only work during set periods such as school term times.

It also wants the transport body to reconsider requirements, already in force, that say “operators must inform TfL of any changes to the operating model of their business before they are made”.

Uber says this forces it to notify TfL every time it updates its app, such as adding new payment methods, something it says will slow down the rollout of new features.

A spokesperson for Khan said: “Sadiq is determined to create a vibrant taxi and private hire market, with space for all providers to flourish, while driving up standards by introducing a comprehensive package of measures that will improve safety and the quality of service offered to all Londoners.”