These 20 questions are written to match the style of TfL’s SERU assessment: multiple-choice questions and sentence completion, where you pick the missing word. Every question comes from TfL’s PHV Driver’s Handbook, which is what the real assessment is based on, and there are two from each of its 10 sections.
Try each one before you open the answer. Don’t just check if you were right. Read the explanation too, because the real test often asks about the same rule in a different way.
Want a timed version? Our free 10-question SERU test marks you as you go.
Section 1: Driver licensing
1. How long does a London PHV driver’s licence normally last?
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B) 3 years. A London PHV driver’s licence normally lasts three years. If TfL gives you a shorter licence, the letter that comes with it explains why.
2. Complete the sentence: “If you change your home address, you should tell TfL within ______ days.”
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C) 21. The Handbook says 21 days. You also have to tell the DVLA, and the address on your PHV licence should match the one on your driving licence.
Section 2: PHV requirements
3. How long does a private hire vehicle (PHV) licence last?
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B) 1 year. PHV licences last one year. The car has to pass another licensing inspection before a new licence can be issued. Don’t confuse this with the driver’s licence, which usually lasts three years.
4. You own your PHV and it’s in a collision that affects its safety or appearance. How soon must you tell TfL?
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C) Within 72 hours. Vehicle owners must tell TfL within 72 hours of any collision that affects the car’s safety, performance, appearance or comfort. The car may need to be inspected again before you use it.
Section 3: PHV journeys
5. You find a phone on the back seat after a journey. What should you do?
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B) Take it back to your operator. Lost property goes back to your operator, who by law must keep a record of it. Tell the operator as soon as you find something, in case the passenger has already been in touch.
6. Complete the sentence: “TfL has no power to set or control the ______ charged by PHV operators.”
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A) fares. TfL doesn’t set private hire fares. Your operator must either agree a fare with the passenger or give an accurate estimate before the journey starts.
Section 4: Staying safe
7. Which of these can be a warning sign that a passenger may become aggressive?
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B) Crossed arms. The Handbook lists crossed arms alongside tapping fingers, clenched fists, staring, a raised voice and a sudden change in behaviour. Trust your feelings and act early.
8. A passenger is unconscious and there’s nobody else to help. What should you do?
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B) Call 999 and stay with them until help arrives. Call 999 and stay until the emergency services arrive. If the person becomes aggressive, move somewhere safe where you can still see them.
Section 5: Driver behaviour
9. A passenger was friendly and you have their number from the booking. Can you text them later to meet up?
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C) No, it misuses their personal information. Using a passenger’s contact details for anything other than the booked journey is unacceptable and a misuse of their personal information.
10. Complete the sentence: “Other than in an emergency, you must not get into the ______ seat of your vehicle while you have passengers on board.”
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B) back. Getting into the back seat can make passengers uncomfortable and may be seen as inappropriate. If a passenger is seriously ill, call 999.
Section 6: Parking in London
11. When may a PHV wait on a red route while a passenger uses a cashpoint?
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B) Between 22:00 and 06:00, for up to 5 minutes. This is the only exception to the no-waiting rule on red routes: 22:00 to 06:00, for no longer than 5 minutes.
12. Can a PHV use a taxi rank to drop off a passenger?
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C) No, taxi ranks are for licensed taxis only. PHVs must not park, wait, pick up or drop off on a taxi rank. Doing so can lead to a fine and action against your licence.
Section 7: Safer driving
13. Complete the sentence: “If the correct child car seat isn’t available, a child aged 3 or over can travel in a PHV on a ______ seat wearing an adult seat belt.”
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B) rear. Without the right child seat, children must sit in the rear: those aged 3 or over wear an adult seat belt and those under 3 travel without one. You’re responsible for children under 14 wearing a belt or sitting in an approved seat.
14. Where is it an offence to put a phone or sat-nav cradle?
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B) In the area swept by the windscreen wipers. Mounting a device in the swept area of the windscreen is an offence that can bring a fine and penalty points. Place devices where they don’t block your view.
Section 8: Disability
15. Where should an assistance dog travel during the journey?
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C) In the footwell, with the passenger. Section 170 of the Equality Act says PHV drivers must accept assistance dogs and let them sit in the footwell with the passenger, at no extra charge.
16. For which reason can a PHV driver get an exemption from carrying assistance dogs?
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B) A medical condition. Exemptions are only given for medical reasons, such as asthma made worse by dogs, an allergy or a phobia. The Handbook notes that in 2002 the Shariat Council confirmed that trained assistance dogs may travel in PHVs driven by Muslims.
Section 9: Safeguarding
17. By law, a child is a person under the age of:
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C) 18. A child is anyone under 18. All children are vulnerable to harm because of their age.
18. Complete the sentence: “When gangs use children and young people to sell drugs across different areas, this is known as county ______.”
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B) lines. County lines is a form of criminal exploitation, and young people may be moved by taxi or private hire. If you’re worried, tell your operator and the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Section 10: Ridesharing
19. What should you do as soon as you pick up a ridesharing passenger?
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B) Confirm they booked a ride-share. A passenger may have booked a shared ride by mistake. Confirming straight away, and explaining how many other people you’ll pick up, helps avoid arguments.
20. Complete the sentence: “You should not share the ______ details of one passenger with any other passenger.”
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B) personal. Sharing personal details such as a home address or routine can put a passenger at risk from a stranger travelling in the same car.
How did you do?
If you got 16 or more right, you know the Handbook well. Under 12 means it’s worth reading the sections you missed again before you book. TfL doesn’t publish the SERU pass mark, so aim to score high every time rather than just scrape through.
Our full SERU course has 500+ practice questions across all 10 sections, the sentence-completion format and a full mock test you can repeat as often as you like. Still waiting for a test date? Here’s how to book SERU and your other TfL assessments.
All questions are based on TfL’s PHV Driver’s Handbook, checked in November 2026. These are practice questions written by SERU Tests, not real TfL exam questions.