Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment

About the exam

The Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment is a computer-based test set by Transport for London (TfL) for London's licensed drivers. It checks that you understand your legal duties as a driver, passenger and driver safety, equality and disability awareness, and safeguarding of children and adults at risk. For private hire (minicab) drivers it also serves as the reading and writing half of TfL's English language requirement.

There are two versions. The private hire vehicle (PHV) SERU is based on TfL's PHV Driver's Handbook and has been required of new PHV applicants since 1 April 2023. A separate taxi driver SERU, based on the Taxi Driver Handbook, has applied to new and renewing London taxi (black cab) drivers since 1 October 2025. Passing one does not count for the other.

What surprises many applicants is that SERU is not meant as a memory test. The questions ask how a driver should act in everyday working situations, and the taxi version gives you the handbook to consult during the assessment, though TfL expects you to have read it beforehand.

Who has to sit it

Every applicant for a new or renewed London PHV driver's licence must pass the PHV SERU, and every new and renewing London taxi driver must pass the taxi SERU, new taxi applicants as part of the Knowledge of London process. The only exemption is having already passed a SERU assessment based on the current version of the handbook. PHV applicants must also pass a separate English speaking and listening test, and TfL expects you to complete its free online Safeguarding Awareness course before the SERU. A PHV licence also requires, among other things, being at least 21, a full driving licence held for at least three years and the right to work in the UK.

What is on it

Licensing

How London PHV driver licensing works and the rules for licensed vehicles.

Carrying out private hire journeys

How bookings must be made and journeys carried out within the law, and the rules on ridesharing.

Staying safe and driver behaviour

Keeping yourself and passengers safe, and the standards of conduct TfL expects from licensed drivers.

Driving, parking and safer driving in London

Where you may stop and park in London, and road and vehicle safety.

Equality and disability awareness

Drivers' duties under the Equality Act 2010 and how to give disabled passengers the help they are entitled to.

Safeguarding children and adults at risk

Recognising signs of abuse or exploitation and knowing what to do and whom to tell.

The paper

• Taken on a computer at a TfL assessment centre and run by TfL staff; you only need to be able to use a mouse.
• Question types include multiple choice, questions on a short reading passage, and completing sentences by dragging missing words into place.
• All questions are based on the relevant handbook: the PHV Driver's Handbook (also available as audio) or the Taxi Driver Handbook.
• Taxi SERU: 36 questions, about one hour, pass mark 60%, with a copy of the Taxi Driver Handbook provided to consult throughout.
• TfL does not publish the number of questions, time or pass mark for the PHV SERU on its PHV pages.
• For PHV applicants the SERU also measures reading and writing in English at the level TfL requires (equivalent to CEFR B1); speaking and listening are tested separately.
• Reasonable adjustments are available: tell TfL when booking and send a short outline of the condition with evidence from a relevant professional.

How to book it

1. Apply for your PHV licence (register online or ask TfL for an application pack), or for taxi drivers apply through the Knowledge of London or the renewal process.
2. Complete TfL's online Safeguarding Awareness course and study the handbook and TfL's free online assessment guide.
3. TfL invites you to book the assessment as part of your application; taxi drivers and Knowledge of London candidates can also email assessments@tph.tfl.gov.uk to book early. Once booked, TfL expects you to attend.
4. On the day, bring original photo ID (no photocopies) and a payment card if paying at the centre; taxi assessments are paid on the day by card, not American Express.
5. Results come from TfL afterwards (within 15 days for the taxi version). Once passed, you do not repeat it at future renewals unless TfL requires a new assessment after major regulatory changes.
6. If you fail, you book and pay for a re-sit. New PHV applicants normally get three attempts; after a third fail, or three missed appointments without good reason, the application is normally refused, and you must make a new application, with no set waiting period.

Fees and dates

Fee (PHV)

GBP 40 first attempt (about EUR 47); GBP 30 re-sit (about EUR 35) (source 1)

Fee (taxi)

GBP 36 first attempt (about EUR 42); GBP 16 per retest (about EUR 19), as announced in September 2025 and subject to review (source 3)

When

By booking during your licence application; no fixed sitting dates (source 1)

Attempts (PHV)

Normally three; then the application is refused and a new one is needed, with no waiting period (source 4)

Results (taxi)

Within 15 days (source 3)

Validity

No need to retake at renewal while the handbook version is unchanged (source 4)

Fees and dates change: each is as its source stated it on 29 October 2026. Check it there before you book.

Questions people ask

What is the SERU pass mark?

For the taxi driver SERU, TfL states a pass mark of 60% over 36 questions. TfL's PHV pages do not publish a pass mark for the private hire version.

Is the SERU assessment open book?

The taxi driver SERU is: a copy of the Taxi Driver Handbook is provided during the assessment. For PHV drivers, TfL announced a trial of open-book assessments in January 2024, but its current PHV page does not say whether the handbook is provided.

How many times can I take the SERU?

New PHV applicants are normally allowed three attempts. After a third fail the application is usually refused, and you can apply again straight away with a new application. Each re-sit is paid for.

How much does the SERU cost?

For PHV drivers TfL lists GBP 40 for the first attempt and GBP 30 for a re-sit. The taxi SERU was announced at GBP 36 and GBP 16 per retest, subject to review.

Can I take SERU online?

No. It is taken on a computer at a TfL assessment centre; the taxi version is held at the Driver Assessment Centre at 14 Pier Walk, SE10.

I passed the PHV SERU. Do I need the taxi SERU too?

Yes. The two assessments are separate, and the taxi version covers material that applies only to taxi drivers, so a PHV pass does not exempt you.

Is anyone exempt from SERU?

Only people who have already passed a SERU assessment based on the current handbook. Disabled applicants are not exempt, but can ask for reasonable adjustments.

Sources

1. SERU for private hire drivers — Transport for London
2. Apply for a private hire driver licence — Transport for London
3. TPH Notice 06/25: SERU assessment for taxi drivers — Transport for London
4. London taxi and PHV driver policy (1 September 2026) — Transport for London
5. English language requirement — Transport for London
6. TPH Notice 01/24: update on SERU and ELR for PHV drivers — Transport for London
7. SERU online assessment guide (PHV) — Transport for London

Checked against these sources on 29 October 2026.