SERU test booking is not like booking a driving theory test. You cannot just pick a date on a public website. You apply for a London private hire licence first, TfL invites you to book your assessments, and then you choose your slot through TfL's portal. This page covers every step in order: before you book, the booking itself, the fees, getting to the test centre, what happens on arrival, rescheduling and results.
It deals only with the logistics of the SERU. For what the test contains, see the SERU test format page; for the total cost of a licence, see PCO licence cost. UK Driver Licence Prep is an independent study aid, not part of TfL. Details were checked against TfL's pages and notices on 19 October 2026.
SERU test booking at a glance
| Step | What happens | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Register and apply for a private hire driver licence | TfL taxi and private hire portal |
| 2 | Complete the free Safeguarding Awareness course | TfL safeguarding page |
| 3 | TfL invites you to book your assessments | Portal |
| 4 | Choose your slot (SERU, Topographical, speaking and listening) | Portal |
| 5 | Attend, pay by card, sit the assessment | 14 Pier Walk, SE10 0ES |
| 6 | Receive a results letter; book a re-sit if needed | Portal and post |
Key fact: There is no separate "SERU login". The SERU is booked through the same TfL taxi and private hire portal you use for your licence application.
Before you book
Apply for your licence
New applicants start on TfL's private hire driver licence page and register on the online portal. If you cannot apply online, TfL says you can ask for a paper application pack by emailing tphlicensing@tfl.gov.uk. The licence application fee (£138, non-refundable, from 1 June 2026) is separate from the SERU fee. Our PCO licence guide sets out every step of the application.
Complete the Safeguarding Awareness course
TfL expects every applicant to complete its free online Safeguarding Awareness course before sitting the SERU. It is short and it helps with the safeguarding questions, so do it early.
Plan your assessments together
New applicants need three TfL assessments: the SERU, the Topographical skills assessment and the speaking and listening assessment (see the TfL English test page). TfL often lets you book them for the same visit, with short breaks in between. That saves a second trip to Greenwich, but it also means a long, tiring day. If you are not ready for all three, it is fine to book them separately.
Ask for reasonable adjustments when you book
If you have a disability or a condition that could affect how you perform, such as dyslexia, you can ask for reasonable adjustments. Flag it when you book, then email assessments@tph.tfl.gov.uk with a short outline of your condition and evidence from a relevant professional. Do not wait until the day; adjustments need to be arranged in advance.
SERU fees
| Assessment | First attempt | Re-sit | Before 9 March 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERU | £40 | £30 | £36 / £16 |
| Topographical skills assessment | £40 | £30 | £36 / £16 |
| Speaking and listening | £40 | £30 | £36 / £16 |
The current fees come from TfL's Taxi and Private Hire Notice 05/26, the first full review of licence fees since 2017. They took effect on 9 March 2026. Some websites still show £36 and £16, so check TfL's page before you rely on a figure.
How you pay
- You pay at the assessment centre on the day, by card.
- TfL does not accept American Express.
- If you sit two or three assessments on one visit, you pay for each one.
Watch out for "fast-track" offers
TfL says applicants will only ever be asked to pay its published fees, and that anyone offering a fast-track licence or a faster assessment slot for extra money is committing fraud. TfL does not sell a fast track. Report offers like this to tphreport@tfl.gov.uk.
Key fact: A week of practice on our Pro plan (£6.99) costs less than one SERU re-sit (£30). Passing first time is the cheapest way through.
Getting to the SERU test centre at Pier Walk
The TfL Driver Assessment Centre is at:
14 Pier Walk, London SE10 0ES (Greenwich Peninsula, near The O2)
TfL's Pier Walk directions sheet gives these options, summarised in our own words:
| How | Details |
|---|---|
| Tube | North Greenwich (Jubilee line), about a five-minute walk |
| Bus | Many routes stop at North Greenwich bus station, about five minutes away, including the 108, 129, 132, 161, 180, 188, 335, 422, 472 and 486 |
| Boat | Riverboat services call at North Greenwich Pier, about five minutes away |
| Cable car | From Royal Docks to North Greenwich, about five minutes away |
| Car | Not recommended: TfL says parking is difficult and asks you to use public transport |
| Bicycle or scooter | Not allowed inside; lock it up outside |
Walking from North Greenwich station
- Leave the station and walk straight ahead, keeping The O2 on your left.
- After roughly 125 metres, turn right; a Tesco will be on your left.
- Turn left at the Tesco. Number 14 Pier Walk is on the left after about 40 metres.
- Go in and report to reception.
You must have a booking to be let in, so do not turn up without your confirmation.
Exam tip: Do a practice journey a few days before, at the same time of day. Knowing exactly where the door is takes away one source of stress on the morning.
What to bring
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Booking confirmation | You must be booked to enter the building |
| Original photo ID | Without it you cannot sit; photocopies are not accepted |
| A debit or credit card (not American Express) | To pay the fee on the day |
| Glasses, if you use them | You will read a screen for about 50 minutes |
| Any approval for reasonable adjustments | So staff can confirm the arrangements |
Leave behind anything you do not need. Phones must be switched off during the assessment, which is run under exam conditions.
What happens on the day
TfL's licensee magazine On Route (Winter 2024) described the process at the centre. In order:
- Reception. You check in at reception with your ID.
- Escort. Staff take you to the assessment floor.
- Confirmation and payment. Staff confirm which assessments you are sitting and take payment.
- ID number and photo. You are given an identification number for the session and your photo is taken.
- Instruction video. The session starts with a short video explaining how the assessment works.
- The assessment. About 50 minutes in total, including the video, on a computer, invigilated by TfL staff.
- Breaks. If you sit more than one assessment, there is a short break between sessions.
If you are late or forget your ID
TfL is strict on this. If you arrive late, or without acceptable original photo ID, you will not be allowed to sit and will have to book again. Leave extra time for Jubilee line delays, and check your ID the night before.
Booking at renewal and for the taxi SERU
Existing private hire drivers
The SERU has applied at renewal since 1 October 2021. If you hold a London private hire licence and have not yet passed it, TfL will tell you what you need to do as part of your renewal, and you book through the same portal. Do not leave it until the last weeks of your licence: if slots are busy, a late booking could leave you without a valid licence while you wait. Your licence letter and the portal show what TfL needs from you.
London taxi drivers
Black cab drivers sit a separate test, the taxi SERU, which started on 1 October 2025. It uses the Taxi Driver Handbook, is open book, has 36 questions and costs the same: £40, or £30 for a re-sit. New taxi drivers must pass it before being licensed, and TfL recommends Knowledge of London students take it by the end of Knowledge Stage 5. Drivers renewing a licence that expires on or after 1 October 2025 also need it. Passing the private hire SERU does not exempt you. See our taxi SERU guide.
Choosing your date and time
A few practical points make the day easier:
- Book after you are ready, not before. It is tempting to grab the first slot, but a fail costs £30 and another trip. Book when your mock scores are consistently high, or far enough ahead to get there.
- Think about your energy. If you work nights, avoid an early morning slot straight after a shift. You will read carefully for about 50 minutes.
- One assessment or three? Sitting all three on one visit saves travel, but the Topographical alone lasts 90 minutes. If any of the three makes you anxious, give it its own day.
- Allow for the journey. Greenwich Peninsula is busy on O2 event days. Check what is on before you choose an afternoon or evening slot.
Rescheduling or cancelling your SERU booking
Your bookings are managed in the TfL portal. Look there first for options to move or cancel a slot, and do it as early as possible. Some third-party websites say you can reschedule a SERU booking only twice. TfL does not publish a limit, so we cannot confirm it. If you need to change a booking more than once, contact TfL's licensing team at drivers@tph.tfl.gov.uk before you miss a slot.
SERU test results
- The software marks your SERU automatically.
- Results go through a two-tier quality assurance check before release.
- TfL sends a results letter. If you sat several assessments, you get one report with a score for each.
- You can ask for a breakdown of your results.
- TfL does not publish a fixed turnaround for the private hire SERU. For the taxi SERU, its notice says results come within 15 days at most.
If you fail
You book a re-sit through the portal and pay £30 on the day. TfL's published rules set no limit on attempts, but it will not grant a licence until you pass. Before re-booking, ask for the breakdown and work on the sections it shows as weak. Our SERU pass rate page covers the most common reasons people fail.
Is there a SERU booking phone number?
Many people search for one. TfL does not publish a booking phone line for the SERU, and we do not list unofficial numbers. The official routes are:
| Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Book, view or change assessments | TfL taxi and private hire portal |
| Paper application pack | tphlicensing@tfl.gov.uk |
| Reasonable adjustments | assessments@tph.tfl.gov.uk |
| General licensing questions | drivers@tph.tfl.gov.uk |
| Report a fast-track scam | tphreport@tfl.gov.uk |
Be careful with websites that offer to "book your SERU for you" for a fee. You can do it yourself, free, in the portal.
How long it all takes
TfL does not publish a waiting time for assessment slots, and it says new licence applications are taking longer than normal because of high volumes. Book your SERU as soon as you are invited, then use the waiting time to prepare. Our how long does a PCO licence take page covers the full timeline.
Your study plan before the booking date
- As soon as you apply: take the free SERU diagnostic to see how much work you need.
- While you wait for an invitation: complete the Safeguarding Awareness course and read the free SERU exam guide.
- When you choose a slot: pick a date that gives you at least three weeks of practice.
- Two weeks before: sit SERU mock 1 with the timer on. If you are below 85%, consider moving the date.
- The week before: do the practice journey to Pier Walk, check your ID and card, and re-read the SERU test hub.
Frequently asked questions
+How do I book my SERU test?
Apply for your licence through TfL's taxi and private hire portal at tph.tfl.gov.uk. TfL then invites you to book your assessments, and you manage the booking in the portal. Many applicants book the SERU, Topographical and speaking and listening assessments for the same visit.
+How much does it cost to book the SERU?
From 9 March 2026, the SERU costs £40 for the first attempt and £30 for each re-sit. Before that date it was £36 and £16. You pay by card at the assessment centre, and TfL does not accept American Express.
+Where is the SERU test centre?
TfL's Driver Assessment Centre is at 14 Pier Walk, London SE10 0ES, on the Greenwich Peninsula. TfL says it is about a five-minute walk from North Greenwich station on the Jubilee line. Parking is difficult, so TfL asks you to use public transport.
+Can I reschedule my SERU test?
Bookings are managed in the TfL portal, so check there for options to change your slot. Some websites claim you can only reschedule twice; TfL does not publish that limit, so treat it as unverified and ask TfL if you need to move more than once.
+What do I need to bring to the SERU test?
Bring your booking confirmation, original photo ID (not a photocopy) and a debit or credit card that is not American Express. Phones are switched off during the assessment, and bicycles and scooters are not allowed inside the centre.
+What happens if I am late for my SERU test?
If you arrive late, or without acceptable photo ID, you will not be allowed to sit the assessment and will need to book again. Plan to arrive early, allowing for delays on the Jubilee line.
+How long do SERU results take?
TfL marks the SERU automatically, then checks the results through quality assurance before sending a results letter. TfL does not publish a fixed time for the private hire SERU; for the taxi SERU it says results come within 15 days at most.
+Is there a phone number to book the SERU?
TfL does not publish a booking phone line for the SERU. Use the online portal. For a paper application pack, email tphlicensing@tfl.gov.uk; for reasonable adjustments, email assessments@tph.tfl.gov.uk; for licensing questions, email drivers@tph.tfl.gov.uk.
Study offline on your phone too
The UK Driver Licence Prep app has the same questions, works offline, and explains every answer in Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Arabic, Pashto, Farsi, Somali, Romanian or Polish, plus a map trainer for the Topographical.
Keep reading
- SERU Test: The TfL SERU Assessment ExplainedWhat the TfL SERU test covers, how it works for private hire and taxi drivers, fees from March 2026, and free SERU practice tests.
- How Many Questions Are in the SERU Test?How many questions are in the SERU test, the pass mark, the time limit and open book status, with every figure traced to its TfL source.
- How Much Does a PCO Licence Cost?PCO licence cost in 2026: every TfL fee after the June 2026 rise, a worked £541.57 total before the medical, renewal and car costs, and avoiding re-sits.
- TfL Topographical Test: The Complete GuideThe TfL Topographical test explained: 7 sections, 66 route marks, 60% pass mark, 90 minutes, £40 fee, exemptions and free practice.
- TfL English Test for Private Hire DriversThe TfL English test for private hire drivers: B1 level, the 15 to 20 minute speaking and listening test, how SERU covers reading and writing, and fees.