PERFORMANCE GAP: What more can be done to improve London private hire driver SERU test results?
- Perry Richardson
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
The latest Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) test results have exposed a clear and uncomfortable gap between taxi and private hire drivers. With pass rates for private hire drivers sitting at 54% compared to 94% for taxi drivers, attention is now turning to what more can realistically be done to improve outcomes.
At the centre of the debate is the make-up of the private hire workforce itself. Data from Transport for London (TfL) shows a highly diverse sector, with tens of thousands of drivers coming from international backgrounds. This diversity is one of the sector’s strengths, but it also raises a fair question about whether language plays a role in test performance.
The SERU assessment is not just about knowledge, as applicants are required to read, interpret and apply guidance under timed conditions. Even though candidates are given a handbook and can refer to it during the test, that does not remove the need to understand what is being asked. If English is not a driver’s first language, the challenge becomes not only about finding the answer, but also about understanding the question in the first place.
That said, it would be too simplistic to place the issue solely on language. The structure of the test allows access to the answers, yet scores remain relatively low. This points to something deeper around preparation and approach. Having the material in front of you is one thing, knowing how to use it effectively under pressure is another.
Performance gap raises questions over language, training and preparation across London’s private hire sector
There is also a question to be asked of the regulator. When Transport for London (TfL) introduced SERU, it marked a significant shift in expectations for private hire drivers. But was enough done at the outset to support applicants through that change? Have licensed drivers entered the system without fully understanding the level of study required?
In contrast, taxi drivers come through a system built entirely around examination. The Knowledge of London is not just a test of routes, it is a test of discipline, study habits and resilience. By the time a taxi driver sits any formal assessment, they are already conditioned to revise, prepare and perform. That culture simply does not exist in the same way within private hire, unless those skills have been developed in previous employment.
This raises a practical issue. For many private hire drivers, the SERU test may be the first formal exam they have taken in years, or ever. Without experience of exam conditions, time management and revision techniques, even capable candidates can struggle to perform.
So what can be done?
Better preparation feels like the most immediate and obvious step. Clearer study materials and access to mock exams could help drivers understand not just the content, but the format and pressure of the test. Practising under realistic conditions would likely improve both confidence and results.
There is also a case for more targeted support around language comprehension. This does not necessarily mean raising entry requirements, but ensuring that guidance materials are written as clearly as possible and that drivers fully understand what is expected of them before they sit the test.
Ultimately, improving SERU results should not be about lowering standards. The test exists for a reason, to ensure drivers understand safety, equality and their regulatory responsibilities. The challenge is making sure that all drivers are properly equipped to meet and even exceed those standards.
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