The SERU pass rate tells you how many drivers pass TfL's Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding assessment. It is one of the few hard numbers TfL has released about the SERU, through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, and it is quoted, misquoted and contradicted all over the web.
This page sets out the official figures with their counts and dates, the newer figures reported in 2026 and why they differ, and then the practical part: why drivers fail and how to pass first time. UK Driver Licence Prep is an independent study aid, not part of TfL. There is no pass guarantee from us or anyone else, but there is a clear pattern in what works.
The official SERU pass rate
TfL answered FOI request FOI-0168-2425 in May 2024 with these figures for its three driver assessments:
| Assessment | Delivered | Passed | Pass rate | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SERU | 76,965 | 55,874 | 73% | From launch (October 2021) to 29 April 2024 |
| Speaking and listening (B1) | 33,731 | 30,816 | 91% | To 29 April 2024 |
| Topographical skills | 31,947 | 16,897 | 51% (stated by TfL) | 1 January 2023 to 29 April 2024 |
The same response said 106,229 private hire drivers were licensed in the week ending 7 May 2024, and that 58,376 licensed drivers still had to pass the SERU at that point. TfL noted that the "passed" figures count candidates, and some candidates sat more than once.
One small oddity: for the Topographical, TfL's stated pass rate is 51%, but 16,897 divided by 31,947 is about 53%. The SERU and speaking and listening figures match their counts. We quote TfL's stated figure and mention the difference so you are not confused if you do the sum.
Key fact: The official SERU pass rate is 73%. Roughly one assessment in four does not result in a pass.
What the 73% means for you
The figure is a pass rate per assessment, not per person. A driver who failed once and passed on the second attempt adds one fail and one pass. So the share of people who pass eventually is higher than 73%, and the share who pass at the first attempt is not published at all.
The period also matters. The 73% covers October 2021 to April 2024, which includes thousands of existing drivers who sat the SERU at renewal during the transition period. Many of them had years of experience in the job.
Newer reported figures (2025 to 2026)
In April 2026, the trade news site TaxiPoint reported a newer TfL FOI response covering 1 October 2025 to 2 April 2026, the first six months of the taxi SERU:
| Group | Pass rate | Average score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private hire SERU | 54% | 64 | Reported by TaxiPoint from TfL FOI data |
| Taxi SERU | 94% | 88 | Reported by TaxiPoint from TfL FOI data |
We have not found this response on TfL's own website, so we present it as reported, not as TfL-published. It is plausible, but read it with care:
- Different period. Six months in 2025 to 2026 against two and a half years from 2021. The mix of candidates changed: by 2025 most existing private hire drivers had already passed, so the private hire figures are mostly new applicants.
- Different candidates. Taxi SERU candidates are experienced licensed cab drivers or advanced Knowledge students. New private hire applicants are often new to the trade and many read English as a second language.
- Different test conditions. The taxi SERU is openly described as open book, with the handbook provided. TfL has not confirmed the same for the private hire SERU.
Whatever the exact figure, the message is the same: a large share of new private hire applicants do not pass first time.
Key fact: If the reported 54% is right, nearly half of recent private hire SERU assessments ended in a fail. Preparation is not optional.
Is the SERU hard?
The SERU is not a trick test. Most rules make sense to anyone who has thought about driving the public safely. The difficulty comes from three places:
- Precision. Questions turn on exact details: 48 hours or seven days, 21 or 18, "must" or "should". Knowing the general idea is not enough.
- English. The SERU is also TfL's reading and writing test at B1 level. Sentence-completion and reading questions test your English as much as your knowledge.
- Breadth. Questions are picked at random from all ten sections of the handbook, so you cannot skip any of them.
For the exact format (question count, time, pass mark), see our SERU test format page.
Why people fail the SERU
TfL does not publish a breakdown of failed answers. What we can share is what drivers get wrong most in our own practice bank, which has 3,701 PHV SERU questions. In our bank, the most missed questions fall into five groups.
1. Reporting deadlines
Drivers confuse the different time limits: when to report an arrest or caution, when to show your licence to an officer, how long a vehicle owner has to tell TfL about a collision or a sale. The newer 48-hour self-reporting rule for licences granted from 1 July 2024 adds to the confusion. Practise these in licensing.
2. Sentence completion
Many drivers who know the rules lose marks here. The usual errors are choosing a word that sounds right but has the wrong grammar, or filling gaps in order without reading the whole text first. Our SERU fill in the blanks guide teaches a step-by-step method.
3. Equality exemptions
Most drivers know they must carry assistance dogs. Fewer know the limits exactly: an exemption is only for a medical reason, it must be granted and displayed, and religious belief is not a ground. Questions on wheelchair duties and extra charges catch people too. Practise in equality and disability.
4. Safeguarding actions
Spotting the warning signs is the easier part. The marks are lost on what to do next: who to tell, when to call 999 and when 101, and what not to do (such as confronting someone). Practise in safeguarding.
5. Driving and parking rules
Where a PHV may stop, where it may wait, and which bus lanes and ranks are taxi-only. "Stop briefly to set down" and "wait" are different rules, and options swap them. Practise in driving and parking.
Other reasons
- One quick read of the handbook. The most common story we hear from drivers who failed.
- Practising only multiple choice. The real test mixes in other styles.
- Running out of time on reading passages, or panicking at the first hard question.
- Booking too early to "see what it is like". At £40 a go, that is an expensive look.
Exam tip: When you get a question wrong in practice, write down why: did you not know the rule, misread the question, or fall for a similar option? After 50 questions, you will see your own pattern, and that is what to fix.
How to pass the SERU first time
There is no secret. Drivers who pass first time tend to do the same five things.
- Read the handbook twice, properly. Once for understanding, once with a pen for every number and "must". See our SERU handbook guide for a reading schedule.
- Practise every section with explanations. Questions show you what you have not understood. The explanation tells you why.
- Practise sentence completion every day. Ten questions a day for three weeks builds the patterns.
- Sit full mocks under time. A 36-question paper in 50 minutes feels different from ten questions at a time. Our SERU mock test page explains how the mocks work.
- Book when you are ready. Our rule, the same as in our app: three mocks in a row at 85% or more.
A three-week first-time pass plan
| Week | Do | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read sections 1 to 5; complete TfL's Safeguarding Awareness course | Free diagnostic, then licensing and journeys questions |
| 2 | Read sections 6 to 10; watch TfL's video guides | Equality, safeguarding, driving and parking; ten sentence-completion questions daily |
| 3 | Re-read your weak sections | Free mock 1, then more mocks; review every mistake |
If your mocks are below 85% at the end of week 3, add a week rather than booking. A re-sit costs £30 (from 9 March 2026) plus another trip to Greenwich, and our Pro plan costs £6.99 a week, £11.99 a month or £22.99 for three months; see pricing.
SERU pass rate myths
Because the official figures are scattered, a few myths keep coming back. Here is what the published sources actually say.
"You only get two attempts"
Older websites say you can fail the SERU twice and then must start your application again. TfL's current published material sets no such limit. Its notice on the taxi SERU says the assessment can be taken multiple times, but a licence will not be granted until you pass. The two-attempt rule reflected TfL's earlier approach, which was paused in January 2024.
"Most people fail"
Not according to the official data. The 73% figure means most assessments end in a pass. Even the lower reported 54% for recent private hire candidates is more than half. The SERU is passable for anyone who prepares properly; it is unforgiving for people who do not.
"Experienced drivers don't need to study"
Experience helps with judgement questions, such as staying safe and treating passengers well. It does not teach you the exact deadlines, the wording of the equality exemptions or the stopping rules in the handbook. Experienced drivers fail on exactly those details.
"Open book means you can't fail"
Even where the handbook is provided, you have about a minute per question. There is no time to search 52 pages for every answer. And TfL has not confirmed that the private hire SERU is open book.
"The pass mark is 75%"
A few pages say the SERU has 60 questions and a 75% pass mark. Nothing TfL has published supports that. The official proxy is the taxi SERU: 36 questions and 60%.
How the SERU compares with TfL's other assessments
| Assessment | Official pass rate | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking and listening | 91% | A conversation at B1 level; most applicants already speak English for daily life |
| SERU | 73% | Detailed rules plus reading and writing |
| Topographical | 51% | Route planning on a map, 66 of 100 marks; many applicants have never used a paper-style map |
The Topographical is the hardest of the three by pass rate. If you are a new applicant, give it at least as much time as the SERU. Our guide on how to pass the Topographical test covers the route tasks, and the Topographical test page explains the format.
A note on taxi drivers
If you drive a black cab, the reported 94% taxi SERU pass rate is encouraging, but it reflects experienced drivers and an open-book test. Do not skip preparation: the Taxi Driver Handbook has its own rules on fares, ranks and stopping. Our taxi SERU guide and practice cover it, and the rules are not the same as the private hire version.
Your study plan
- Today: take the free SERU diagnostic. Your score tells you how far you are from the pass line.
- This week: read TfL's SERU page and download the handbook. Start with your weakest two sections.
- Every day: ten sentence-completion questions, plus one section of the five "most missed" groups above.
- Week 3: sit the free SERU mock 1 under the timer.
- Before booking: three mocks in a row at 85% or more. Then you are ready to book, and the SERU test format page tells you what to expect.
10 free PHV SERU practice questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. For a timed experience use the free mock exam.
1. You must not park partially or wholly on the ___ in London.
- A. motorway
- B. roundabout
- C. bridge
- D. pavement
Show answer
D. pavement
The Highway Code says you must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London, except in limited circumstances. Pavement parking blocks pedestrians and wheelchair users. Park at the kerb.
2. You do not own a licensed PHV. Should you still know the licensing rules for PHVs?
- A. Yes, every PHV driver should know them
- B. No, they are only for vehicle owners
- C. Only if you plan to buy a car
- D. No, they are only for operators
Show answer
A. Yes, every PHV driver should know them
The handbook says that even if you do not own a licensed vehicle, you should know about the PHV licensing requirements.
3. A passenger with a guide dog wants to sit in the front. Where should the dog go?
- A. In the footwell with the passenger
- B. On the back seat, on its own
- C. In the boot, with the luggage
- D. In the driver's footwell
Show answer
A. In the footwell with the passenger
The assistance dog should stay with the passenger, in the footwell.
4. A bus stop by the kerb has no wide yellow or red line. Should you use it to pick up?
- A. Only if you are a taxi
- B. Avoid it if you can, as it may delay buses
- C. Yes, and you may wait there
- D. Yes, bus stops are the best pick-up points
Show answer
B. Avoid it if you can, as it may delay buses
You should avoid picking up or dropping off at bus stops, as this can delay buses and may not be allowed. Where there is a wide yellow or red line, you must not stop at all. Choose another place.
5. Having a CCTV camera may reduce your insurance ___.
- A. premiums
- B. journeys
- C. claims only
- D. licences
Show answer
A. premiums
Having CCTV may reduce insurance premiums because recordings can be useful evidence in a dispute. A premium is the amount you pay for insurance. The camera itself is an extra cost.
6. A passenger with a visual impairment needs to find the building entrance. What is good practice?
- A. Drive off quickly
- B. Ask someone passing to help
- C. Offer to guide them to a safe place
- D. Point and say 'over there'
Show answer
C. Offer to guide them to a safe place
On arrival, offer to help them out and guide them to a safe place before leaving.
7. How should you treat an assistance dog?
- A. As a friendly pet that you can play with
- B. As luggage that goes in the boot
- C. As a second passenger with its own seat
- D. As a working animal; do not stroke or feed it
Show answer
D. As a working animal; do not stroke or feed it
Assistance dogs are highly trained working animals. Do not stroke, feed or distract them.
8. Two passengers of the same sex hold hands in the back of your car. What should you do?
- A. Tell them to stop holding hands
- B. Treat them with the same respect as anyone
- C. Ask them questions about their relationship
- D. Make a joke about them to lighten the mood
Show answer
B. Treat them with the same respect as anyone
You should never make comments or jokes about someone's sexual orientation. Treat all passengers with respect and professionalism. Drivers who behave unacceptably face action by TfL or the police.
9. Why must the operator be told when you do not carry out a booking?
- A. It must fine the passenger for the problem
- B. It must report every refusal to TfL
- C. It is responsible for the booking it accepted
- D. It will pay you for the time you lost
Show answer
C. It is responsible for the booking it accepted
Because the operator accepted the booking, it must arrange another driver or tell the passenger it is cancelled.
10. What is a fixed penalty notice (FPN)?
- A. A certificate showing you passed SERU
- B. A letter from your operator about a booking
- C. A permit to park in a bus lane
- D. A notice that can bring a fine and penalty points for an offence
Show answer
D. A notice that can bring a fine and penalty points for an offence
A fixed penalty notice is given for some traffic offences. It can include a fine and penalty points on your licence, as an alternative to going to court.
Frequently asked questions
+What is the SERU pass rate?
TfL's published figure is 73%: 55,874 passes from 76,965 SERU assessments delivered up to 29 April 2024 (FOI-0168-2425). A later TfL Freedom of Information response, reported by TaxiPoint in April 2026, gave 54% for private hire candidates between October 2025 and April 2026.
+Is the SERU test hard?
It is not designed to trick you, but it is detailed. Most of the content is common sense for a professional driver; the marks are lost on exact deadlines, the difference between similar rules, and the sentence-completion questions that test English as well as knowledge.
+Why do people fail the SERU?
In our experience, the most common causes are reading the handbook once without practising questions, mixing up deadlines, weak sentence-completion technique, and not knowing the exact limits of equality exemptions and safeguarding actions. Running out of time on reading passages is another.
+What is the taxi SERU pass rate?
TaxiPoint reported in April 2026 that, according to TfL Freedom of Information data, 94% of taxi SERU candidates passed between 1 October 2025 and 2 April 2026, with an average score of 88. TfL has not published this on its own website, so treat it as a reported figure.
+How many times can you fail the SERU?
TfL's published rules set no limit. TfL says the assessment can be taken multiple times, but a licence will not be granted until you pass. Each re-sit costs £30 from 9 March 2026.
+How can I pass the SERU first time?
Read the PHV Driver's Handbook twice, practise every section with questions and explanations, practise sentence completion daily, and sit full timed mocks. Book when you score 85% or more on three mocks in a row.
+How does the SERU pass rate compare with the Topographical?
In the same TfL response, the Topographical skills assessment pass rate was 51% (16,897 passes from 31,947 assessments, January 2023 to April 2024), well below the SERU's 73%. The speaking and listening assessment had the highest rate, 91%.
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
- 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.
- Free SERU Mock Test (TfL Private Hire)Take a free SERU mock test: 36 TfL-style questions in 50 minutes with explanations. How to use mocks, review mistakes and know when to book.
- Taxi SERU Practice Test for London Black Cab DriversFree taxi SERU mock test for London black cab drivers: 36 questions, the Taxi Driver Handbook, open-book tips, fees and who must take it.
- How to Pass the TfL Topographical TestHow to pass the TfL Topographical test: why half of candidates fail, how route marks are lost, a 90-minute time plan and 2- and 4-week study plans.
- SERU Fill in the Blanks: How to Pass Sentence CompletionHow to pass the SERU fill in the blanks (sentence completion) questions: a six-step method, grammar points and worked examples. Practise free today.