TESTING TIMES: TfL details new mandatory SERU assessment for all London taxi drivers from October 2025

All London-licensed taxi drivers and new applicants will be required to undertake and pass the Taxi Driver Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment from 1 October 2025, Transport for London (TfL) has reminded the trade.

The new requirement will apply to all existing drivers renewing their licences and to new applicants looking to enter the trade. This follows guidance issued by the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2020, which introduced a national framework of statutory standards for both the taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) industries. The new assessment is part of TfL’s efforts to raise safety, safeguarding and professional standards across the board.

What is the SERU assessment?

The SERU test has been designed to ensure that all licensed London taxi drivers fully understand their responsibilities under the law and the standards expected by the regulator. While much of the test content is also found in the PHV equivalent SERU assessment, the taxi driver version includes material specific to taxi regulations and working practices.

Drivers will be assessed on a range of topics including passenger and driver safety, support for disabled passengers, safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, as well as awareness of equality and discrimination laws. The test also ensures a level of English language comprehension sufficient for safe and effective communication with passengers.

The assessment is completed on a computer at TfL’s Driver Assessment Centre. Questions are based entirely on the content of the official Taxi Driver Handbook, which will also be available for reference during the test. However, TfL has stated that drivers are expected to have read and understood the content in advance.

Who must take the test?

From October, all new taxi driver applicants must pass the SERU assessment as part of their Knowledge of London (KoL) training. This test must be passed before a licence can be granted. While applicants can sit the SERU test at any time during their Knowledge studies, TfL recommends it is completed no later than Stage 5 of the KoL process.

Existing licensed taxi drivers must also pass the assessment, but they will only need to take it once. Once passed, the result remains valid for all future renewals. There are no exemptions to this requirement, and drivers who have previously passed the PHV SERU test will still need to complete the taxi version if they wish to obtain a taxi licence.

TfL will contact existing drivers individually as their licence renewal dates approach, inviting them to book their SERU test. Drivers can also choose to sit the test early by emailing assessments@tph.tfl.gov.uk.

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What if a licence expires before the assessment is passed?

TfL has put temporary measures in place to support drivers whose licences are due to expire around the time the new requirement is introduced. Drivers who submit a full renewal application before their licence expires will be permitted to continue working while they await a SERU test appointment and result.

In these cases, drivers will have up to 12 months from the date their licence expires to complete and pass the SERU assessment. Those who do not pass the assessment within this timeframe will no longer be able to continue working as licensed taxi drivers.

Cost and retests

The SERU test costs £36, with a retest fee of £16 if required. Fees must be paid on the day of the test. These charges match the current PHV SERU test fees, but TfL has stated that the rates may be reviewed and updated in future.

Drivers are strongly encouraged to begin preparing for the assessment well ahead of time to avoid delays or failed attempts. The Taxi Driver Handbook, which forms the sole basis of the assessment, can be downloaded from the TfL website.

Supporting training and accessibility

In addition to the SERU test, TfL is encouraging all drivers to complete the Safeguarding Awareness Course, which is available online. This optional course provides guidance on identifying and responding to safeguarding risks and supports drivers in preparing for parts of the SERU assessment.

TfL has also committed to offering reasonable adjustments for drivers with disabilities or health conditions. Drivers who believe they may require adjustments to complete the assessment should make TfL aware when booking. They will be asked to provide a short description of their condition and relevant supporting documentation.

Preparing for the changes

With just one month remaining until the SERU requirement comes into effect, TfL is urging all licensed drivers and applicants to begin preparing immediately. Those due for renewal in the months following 1 October 2025 should expect to be contacted by TfL soon to arrange an appointment.

The assessment will become a permanent feature of the licensing system, ensuring that all London taxi drivers demonstrate a clear understanding of passenger safety, regulatory duties, and equality law. TfL will continue to update the supporting materials and resources on its SERU webpage in the lead-up to the roll-out date.

For more information and to access the latest version of the Taxi Driver Handbook, visit the TfL website.