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Transport for London (TfL) have introduced a new requirement for applicants for a London private hire vehicle (PHV) driver’s licence to demonstrate an understanding of safety, equality and regulatory matters. This is called the SERU (Safety, Equality, Regulatory Understanding Assessment) Test. The requirement came into force on 1 October 2021 and it applies to both new applicants and those applying to renew their licence.

All new Private Hire Vehicle Drivers, who have applied after October 2021 and all existing PHV Drivers are required to do the SERU Test. All new PHV Drivers must pass the TfL SERU Test as well as the TfL B1 English Test and Topography Test before TfL issues a PHV Driver’s Licence. All existing PHV Drivers must pass the SERU Test by March 2023.

The SERU assessment is a computer-based Test and it is delivered by TfL staff at  TfL offices.  It will involve multiple choice questions and completing sentences by adding missing words. 

You can click here to do a free sample assessment and see how the actual test will be.

The SERU (Safety, Equality, Regulatory Understanding Assessment) Test is based on information found in the PHV Driver’s Handbook. You must read this PHV Drivers Handbook to prepare for the SERU Test.

You cannot book the SERU Test directly yourself. TfL will write to you with the date and time and location and book the SERU Test for you. 

TfL will usually provide an assessment date within 7-14 days of writing to you.

You must attend the assessment on the date TfL have booked you in. You can write to them to reschedule the test if you have a medical appointment and provide evidence.

You only have TWO attempts to do the SERU Test. If you do not attend the date TfL give you – it will count as fail and only have one more attempt left. 

If you fail both SERU Test attempts then your licence will be cancelled.

You must read the PHV Driver Handbook  properly in order to prepare for the test. 

You can also do the SERU courses with us and Mock SERU Tests to prepare for the Test and pass first time. If you fail the Test both times your licence will be cancelled and you can no longer work as a PHV Driver. 

The SERU Test is a multiple choice assessment which also includes fill in the gap sentences. It has some basic questions about licensing requirements and regulations but also tests your vocabulary and grammar.

The test consists of 37 questions and usually has 2 or 3 sections.

The first section is the multiple choice section and you must select one or two answers, sometimes True/False questions.

The second section usually contains a paragraph which you must read and then answer a question.

The third section is fill in the gap. This is a difficult task if your English reading and understanding is at a low level. 

You must get 60% to pass, which means you must get at least 23 questions correct in order to pass. 

TfL will email the results after 2 weeks. 

If you don’t pass they will book you in for your second attempt.