Reigate & Banstead Borough Council knowledge test
530 words · checked 2026-10-03 · Pro
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council has two different knowledge tests: a short online test for private hire drivers and a harder written test for hackney carriage drivers. The private hire test is unusual because you may use a map book or an online map such as Google Maps during the navigation section. The council publishes a sample private hire paper and an example map reading guide - download both from its website.
Private hire test
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | Online, at a place of your choice |
| Questions | 20 multiple choice, 5 in each of 4 sections |
| Sections | 1. Navigating the local area and planning routes; 2. Basic maths for money and fares; 3. Private Hire Policy and Conditions and the Convictions Policy; 4. The Highway Code |
| Time | 45 minutes |
| Pass mark | 90% - 18 out of 20 |
| Retakes | No limit; book again and pay the full fee each time |
| Fee (2026/27) | £51 (first test and each retake) |
Booking rules: you must already have applied for a private hire licence. Booking closes 48 hours before the test. The link is emailed the day before and only works from 10am on the test day; you get no extra time if you start late. You can move between questions and change answers until you finish.
Key fact: The private hire pass mark is 90% (18/20), higher than most councils.
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