The TfL English test is not one test but two, and that confuses a lot of applicants. Your speaking and listening are checked in a short conversation with a remote examiner. Your reading and writing are checked by the SERU assessment, the same computer test that checks your knowledge of the rules. You need to pass both to meet TfL's English Language Requirement and get a London private hire (PCO) licence.
This page explains the requirement as a whole, the level you need, what happens in the speaking and listening test and how to prepare. Facts come from TfL's English language requirement page, its private hire driver licence page, TPH notices and TfL's On Route magazine, checked in October 2026. UK Driver Licence Prep is an independent study aid, not part of TfL or PeopleCert.
The TfL English language requirement in brief
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who | All London private hire (PHV) driver applicants; existing drivers under transitional rules |
| Level | Equivalent to B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) |
| Speaking and listening | 15 to 20 minute conversation via secure video or phone link, at a TfL centre |
| Provider | PeopleCert |
| Reading and writing | Assessed through the SERU |
| Fee | £40 per assessment, £30 re-sit (from 9 March 2026) |
| Where | TfL Driver Assessment Centre, 14 Pier Walk, London SE10 0ES |
| Pass rate (speaking and listening) | 91% to 29 April 2024 (FOI-0168-2425) |
A short history: why there are two tests
TfL introduced the English Language Requirement (ELR) in London in 2016. At first drivers could meet it with an approved qualification or by passing a Secure English Language Test with one of TfL's appointed providers; TPH Notice 12/20 set 30 September 2021 as the deadline for drivers to provide that evidence.
From 1 October 2021 TfL changed approach. The new SERU assessment became the way TfL checks reading and writing, alongside a separate speaking and listening test. TPH Notice 01/23 then confirmed that anyone applying for a new PHV driver licence on or after 1 April 2023 must pass both before being licensed. TfL's licence page sets the level as equivalent to B1 on the CEFR for all four skills. Existing drivers were given transitional deadlines.
Key fact: There is no single "TfL English exam" you book on its own. You meet the requirement by passing the speaking and listening test and the SERU.
What B1 level means in practice
B1 is an intermediate level in the Council of Europe's CEFR common reference levels. In plain terms, a B1 speaker can:
- understand the main points when people speak clearly about familiar things, such as work, travel and everyday life;
- deal with most situations that come up while travelling or working with the public;
- talk in simple, connected sentences about experiences, events and plans;
- give short reasons and explanations for opinions or decisions.
B1 does not mean perfect English. Small grammar mistakes are normal at this level. What matters is that you can understand a passenger, explain what you are doing, and deal with a problem without the conversation breaking down. That is exactly why TfL treats it as a public safety requirement.
The TfL speaking and listening test
What happens on the day
The test takes place at a TfL Driver Assessment Centre. You don't talk to TfL staff for the test itself: you speak to an examiner from TfL's provider, PeopleCert, through a secure video or telephone link. TfL's page describes it as a conversation of 15 to 20 minutes. TfL's On Route magazine (Winter 2024) explained a few practical details:
- Speaking and listening tests run in fixed time slots, unlike the SERU and Topographical tests.
- Candidates wait in a waiting area until their slot.
- The test is marked by the external examining body, not by TfL.
As with the other assessments, bring valid original photo ID and a payment card (TfL does not accept American Express), and arrive at the time in your booking. Late arrivals, or people without acceptable ID, are not allowed to sit.
What kind of questions are asked?
TfL does not publish the speaking and listening questions, and PeopleCert's test content is its own. We don't claim to know the real questions. What we can describe is the kind of task a B1 conversation usually includes, based on the CEFR, so you know what to practise:
| Typical B1 task | Example of what you might be asked to do |
|---|---|
| Talk about yourself | Your background, your family, why you want to drive |
| Describe your work or routine | What a normal working day looks like |
| Give directions or explain a plan | How you would get from one place to another |
| Explain a situation | Describe something that happened and what you did |
| Deal with a problem | Respond politely to a complaint, a delay or a misunderstanding |
| Give an opinion with a reason | Say what you think about something and why |
TfL's page asks every applicant to read PeopleCert's own information about the test and what to expect before sitting it. Do that first: it is the only authoritative description of the test format.
Exam tip: If you don't understand the examiner, ask them to repeat or explain. "Sorry, could you say that again, please?" is good B1 English. Guessing at a question you didn't understand is worse than asking.
The reading and writing part: the SERU
The SERU (Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding assessment) is a computer-based test based on TfL's PHV Driver's Handbook. TfL uses it to judge both your knowledge of the rules and your reading and writing in English. TfL's SERU page describes multiple-choice questions and sentences you complete by adding missing words. Its notice for the taxi version describes four styles, which it calls similar to the private hire SERU: single-answer multiple choice, select-all multiple choice, a short handbook passage with questions, and filling in missing words from a list.
Two of those styles are where English skills matter most:
- Sentence completion (fill in the blanks). You choose words from a list to complete a short text. It tests grammar and vocabulary as much as knowledge. Our guide to SERU fill in the blanks explains the technique in detail.
- Reading passages. You read a short section and answer questions about it. The answer is in the text, so careful reading wins.
TfL has not published the private hire SERU's question count or pass mark; most candidates report 36 questions and 60%. Our SERU test format page explains what is and isn't confirmed, and our SERU test guide covers the assessment as a whole.
TfL English test fees and booking
| Assessment | First attempt | Re-sit |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking and listening | £40 | £30 |
| SERU (reading and writing) | £40 | £30 |
These fees apply from 9 March 2026 (TPH Notice 05/26); before that, each cost £36 with a £16 re-sit. You pay by card on the day.
You don't book the English test on its own. You apply for your licence on TfL's online portal, and TfL then invites you to book your assessments. Many applicants sit the speaking and listening test, the SERU and the Topographical test on the same visit. Our SERU booking guide walks through the process.
Exemptions and reasonable adjustments
TfL's English page links to an exemption guidance document for people with a disability or condition that they believe exempts them from the assessment. TfL does not list general exemptions on the page itself, so we don't invent any. If you think you may qualify, read TfL's guidance or contact the licensing team before you apply.
Separately, TfL offers reasonable adjustments tailored to the individual. If you need one, email assessments@tph.tfl.gov.uk when you book, with a short outline of your condition and supporting evidence from a relevant professional. Disabled applicants may also be able to get help with assessment costs through the government's Access to Work programme, which TfL mentions on its English page.
How to prepare for the speaking and listening test
The pass rate is high, at 91%, but a fail still costs £30 and delays your licence. If English is not your first language, start early.
- Speak English every day. Talk about your day, your plans and the news, out loud, even to yourself. Fluency comes from practice, not from reading.
- Practise the six tasks above. Record yourself describing a route, explaining a delay to a passenger, or telling a story about a problem at work. Listen back and notice where you stop or search for words.
- Learn work vocabulary. Words you will use with passengers: booking, pick-up, drop-off, fare, receipt, wheelchair, assistance dog, luggage, diversion, delay.
- Use TfL's suggested free resources. TfL's page points to free LanguageCert practice papers and mock interviews, BBC Skillwise for English skills, and free or low-cost courses from colleges and councils. The National Careers Service can find local classes on 0800 100 900.
- Listen to real English. Radio, podcasts and TV news in clear standard English train your ear for different accents.
Key fact: Our site does not offer speaking practice. We practise the reading and writing side of the requirement through SERU questions, including sentence completion and reading passages. For speaking, use the free resources TfL recommends.
A worked example: building a B1 answer
This is our own practice prompt, not a TfL or PeopleCert question. It shows how a short, clear answer is built. Imagine you are asked: "Tell me about a time something went wrong at work. What did you do?"
A weak answer is one or two words, or a long story with no clear end. A good B1 answer has four simple parts:
- Set the scene. "Last winter I was driving a customer to the airport early in the morning."
- Say what went wrong. "There was an accident on the main road, so the traffic stopped completely."
- Say what you did. "I told the passenger straight away, checked the map, and took a different route through the town."
- Say how it ended, and what you learned. "We arrived about ten minutes late, but she still caught her flight. Now I always check the traffic before an early job."
Notice what makes it work: past tenses used consistently, linking words such as "so", "but" and "now", and a clear ending. You don't need difficult vocabulary. Practise this four-part shape with different stories until it feels natural.
Common reasons people struggle
- Memorised speeches. Examiners can tell when an answer is recited. Practise the shape, not the script.
- Very short answers. "Yes" or "No" gives the examiner nothing to assess. Add a reason: "Yes, because..."
- Not asking for help. If a question is unclear, asking for it to be repeated is better than answering a different question.
- Nerves. Speak a little more slowly than normal. Clear, steady speech is easier to understand than fast speech with mistakes.
How our practice helps with the English requirement
Our SERU bank has 3,701 questions, including sentence completion and short reading passages written in the style TfL describes. Every answer has an explanation. Our free SERU English skills note explains how to approach each question type, and the free SERU diagnostic shows where your reading is strong or weak. The app also explains answers in Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Arabic, Pashto, Farsi, Somali, Romanian and Polish, while keeping the questions in English, as in the real test.
For the full list of licence requirements, see PCO licence requirements, and for the step-by-step process, our PCO licence guide. The map test, the third assessment, is covered in our Topographical test guide.
Your study plan
- Today: take the free SERU diagnostic, 20 questions, and note how you do on sentence completion and reading.
- This week: read our free English skills note and PeopleCert's information about the speaking test.
- Every day: 15 minutes of speaking practice using the six tasks above, plus a short set of SERU questions.
- Before booking: sit the free SERU mock 1 from our SERU mock test guide and aim for 85% or more on three mocks in a row.
- Then: if you want more papers, Pro unlocks SERU mocks 2 to 10 and section practice from £6.99 a week. See pricing.
8 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.
Frequently asked questions
+What is the TfL English test?
It is how TfL checks the English Language Requirement for London private hire drivers. You take a speaking and listening test, a conversation with a remote examiner, and the SERU assessment, which TfL uses to judge your reading and writing. New applicants must pass both before they can be licensed.
+What level is the TfL English test?
TfL sets the level as equivalent to B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, for reading, writing, speaking and listening. B1 is an intermediate level: you can deal with everyday situations and explain things simply and clearly.
+What happens in the TfL speaking and listening test?
You attend a TfL Driver Assessment Centre and have a 15 to 20 minute conversation with an examiner from TfL's provider, PeopleCert, through a secure video or telephone link. The test has fixed time slots and is marked by the external examining body, not by TfL staff.
+How much is the TfL English test?
From 9 March 2026 the speaking and listening test costs £40 for the first attempt and £30 for a re-sit. The SERU, which covers reading and writing, costs the same. Before that date each cost £36, with a £16 re-sit.
+Does the SERU count as the English test?
Partly. The SERU is TfL's reading and writing assessment as well as its rules test. You still need to pass the separate speaking and listening test to meet the full English Language Requirement.
+Is anyone exempt from the TfL English test?
TfL publishes exemption guidance for people with a disability or condition that affects their ability to take the assessment, and offers reasonable adjustments on request. It does not list general exemptions on its page, so check TfL's exemption guidance or ask the licensing team before you apply.
+What is the TfL speaking and listening pass rate?
TfL's Freedom of Information response FOI-0168-2425 reported a 91% pass rate up to 29 April 2024: 30,816 passes from 33,731 assessments. It is the highest pass rate of TfL's three driver assessments.
+How can I practise for the TfL speaking and listening test?
Practise speaking English every day about your work, your plans and everyday problems. TfL points applicants to free resources such as LanguageCert practice papers and mock interviews, BBC Skillwise and local English courses. Our site practises the reading and writing side through SERU questions; it does not offer speaking practice.
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 to Get a PCO Licence in LondonHow to get a PCO licence in London in 2026: eligibility, every step in order, the TfL tests, fees from June 2026, renewal and scams to avoid.
- 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.
- 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.
- PCO Licence RequirementsEvery TfL PCO licence requirement in 2026: age 21, three years' driving, right to work, DBS, Group 2 medical, good conduct certificates and three 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.