Taxi SERU exam guide (London black cab drivers)

From 1 October 2025, every licensed London taxi (black cab) driver and every new applicant must pass the taxi Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment. The test checks that you understand the rules, responsibilities and standards of the trade, from fares to safeguarding. This guide explains who must take it, what it looks like, what it costs, and how to prepare.

Why the taxi SERU exists

In 2020 the Department for Transport published statutory taxi and private hire standards. These standards say that licensing authorities must require drivers to do safeguarding training, must use enhanced background checks, and must share information between authorities to protect vulnerable passengers. TfL consulted on a new assessment in February 2023 and confirmed the outcome in TPH Notice 07/23.

The taxi SERU makes sure London taxi drivers meet these standards. It covers topics such as passenger and driver safety, supporting disabled passengers, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, equality and disability awareness, and driver responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010. Passing it also shows that you have the English reading and writing skills required of a London taxi driver.

Who must take it

The rule applies to everyone. There are no exemptions.

Existing drivers: all licensed London taxi drivers must pass the assessment when applying to renew their licence.
New applicants: from 1 October 2025, all new taxi driver licence applicants must pass it as part of the Knowledge of London application process, before a licence can be issued.

Passing the private hire SERU does not exempt you. TfL says the two assessments are similar, but the taxi version includes elements that apply only to taxi drivers.

Once you pass the taxi SERU, you do not need to take it again for future renewals.

Key fact: Everyone takes the taxi SERU: no exemptions, and the PHV SERU does not count instead of it.

Existing drivers: renewals

TfL contacts existing drivers to book the assessment as part of the renewal process. If you submit a complete renewal application before your current licence expires, you may keep working while TfL decides the application. This period includes time to take and pass the SERU.

If your licence is close to expiry and you have not yet passed, TfL will contact you directly to offer support. You have 12 months from the date your licence expires to take and pass the assessment. Drivers who want to take it earlier can email assessments@tph.tfl.gov.uk.

New applicants: Knowledge of London

New applicants may book the SERU at any point during their studies, including on a visit to the driver assessment centre for appearances. However, it must be passed before you can be licensed. TfL recommends completing it by the end of Stage 5 of the Knowledge. To take it early, email assessments@tph.tfl.gov.uk.

The format

The assessment is done on a computer at the TfL Driver Assessment Centre, 14 Pier Walk, London SE10 0ES (near The O2).

Feature	Detail
Number of questions	36
Time allowed	Approximately one hour
Pass mark	60%
Open book	Yes - a copy of the Taxi Driver Handbook is provided
Question source	The Taxi Driver Handbook only

The handbook is available throughout the assessment and you may refer to it as needed. Even so, TfL expects you to have read and understood the handbook before the day. One hour for 36 questions is comfortable only if you already know the material.

Question types

You will see a mix of four styles:

Multiple choice with one correct answer
Multiple choice where you select all the correct answers
A short section taken from the handbook, with questions about it
A piece of text with missing words, which you complete using a list of words

As with the PHV SERU, the questions are randomly selected, so re-sit candidates are unlikely to see the same questions again, although similar questions may appear.

The syllabus: the Taxi Driver Handbook

All questions are based on the London taxi (black cab) driver handbook (version 1, dated 29 July 2025). The handbook is reviewed regularly, and TfL will always make clear which version you should read for your test.

The handbook splits its content into blocks labelled "You may be tested on this" and "You will not be tested on this". Only the blocks marked "You may be tested on this" form the syllabus. This is a big time-saver: when you revise, focus on those blocks.

Key fact: Only the handbook blocks labelled "You may be tested on this" can appear in the assessment.

The testable areas across the handbook's 13 sections cover taxi fares and payments, equality and disability, safeguarding, driver safety and safe driving, stopping and waiting, and licensing requirements.

Fees

Item	Fee at launch (1 October 2025)	Fee from 9 March 2026
First attempt	£36	£40
Each re-sit	£16	£30

Payment is made on the day of the assessment, by card only. American Express is not accepted. The fees match the PHV assessment charges, and TfL says they are subject to review and may change in the future.

Key fact: Since 9 March 2026 the taxi SERU costs £40 for the first attempt and £30 for a re-sit, paid by card on the day.

On the day

Bring original photo ID. Photocopies are not accepted.
Bring a payment card, but not American Express.
Leave enough time to arrive early. If you arrive late or do not have acceptable ID, you will not be allowed to sit the assessment.
Assessments at the centre run under exam conditions, so switch your phone off.

On arrival you check in at reception and are escorted to the assessment floor, where staff confirm your assessments, take payment, give you an identification number and take your photo. Each session begins with a short instructional video.

Results and re-sits

TfL issues results within a maximum of 15 days. If you pass, no further action is needed. If you do not pass, you must book and pay for a retest.

There is no limit on the number of attempts, but a new licence will not be granted until you pass. For renewals, remember the 12-month deadline from the date your licence expired.

Reasonable adjustments

TfL can make reasonable adjustments for drivers with a disability or condition. Tell TfL when you book, then email assessments@tph.tfl.gov.uk with a brief description of your condition and supporting documentation from a relevant professional.

How to prepare

TfL recommends starting preparation as early as possible.

Read the Taxi Driver Handbook thoroughly. All questions come from it.
Complete the online Safeguarding Awareness Course at tfl.gov.uk/safeguarding. TfL encourages all taxi and PHV drivers to do it, and it helps you prepare for the SERU.
Check the supporting materials on the taxi SERU pages at tfl.gov.uk/taxi-seru. TfL updates these resources regularly, including audio files and a set of YouTube videos covering the handbook sections.
Learn where the "You may be tested on this" blocks are, and revise mainly from them.

A four-week study plan

Week	Focus	What to do
1	Fares and payments	Study the testable blocks on fares, the taximeter, extras, refusals and payments; complete the Safeguarding Awareness Course
2	People and protection	Study equality and disability, assisting passengers, and safeguarding children and adults at risk
3	Safety and rules	Study driver safety, safer driving, stopping and waiting, and licensing requirements
4	Practice and admin	Re-read weak areas; practise the four question styles; confirm booking, ID, travel and payment card

Quick check

From what date must all taxi drivers and applicants pass the taxi SERU? (1 October 2025)
How many questions are there, and what is the pass mark? (36 questions; 60%)
Is the assessment open book? (Yes - a copy of the Taxi Driver Handbook is provided)
How long do existing drivers have to pass after their licence expires? (12 months)
What does a re-sit cost from 9 March 2026? (£30)

Exam tips

Revise only from the blocks marked "You may be tested on this"; the rest of the handbook is background.
Read the handbook before the day: the open-book copy is a safety net, not a shortcut.
Practise "select all correct answers" questions; missing one option loses the mark.
For missing-word questions, read the whole sentence first, then choose from the list.
Watch for taxi-only rules, such as plying for hire, compellable distances and Heathrow: these do not appear in the PHV SERU.
Book early if you are a Knowledge applicant, ideally by the end of Stage 5, so licensing is not delayed.
Keep your results safe; once passed, the SERU never needs to be retaken for renewals.