TfL takes in over £630,000 from private hire English language and SERU assessments in 2025

Transport for London (TfL) has received over £630,000 from English and regulatory assessments for private hire vehicle (PHV) driver licence applicants so far in 2025, according to new figures shared at the latest Mayor’s Question Time.

In response to a written question from Reform UK’s Alex Wilson, it was confirmed that the transport regulator has collected £196,000 this calendar year from English language speaking and listening tests. An additional £436,010 was generated through the Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessments, which test applicants’ reading and writing English skills alongside core safety and regulatory knowledge.

The figures give a glimpse into the scale of mandatory assessments required for new PHV applicants and the operational costs associated with licensing. All drivers applying for a PHV licence are now required to complete three separate assessments: a topographical test, the SERU exam, and a speaking and listening English language test.

The Mayor of London confirmed that the assessment fees are set at £36 for an initial attempt and £16 for a retake. These charges are applied on a cost recovery basis, meaning the income received is used solely to fund the administration of the testing process. The mayor also confirmed that TfL does not make any profit from these fees.

The introduction of the SERU assessment formed part of a wider overhaul in 2021 of private hire driver requirements. The change was designed to ensure all drivers have a consistent understanding of key topics including public safety, equality duties and regulatory responsibilities.

The English speaking and listening test remains a separate requirement, often carried out through an externally administered system. The need to demonstrate a minimum standard of English has been under regular scrutiny, with some in the industry arguing the current system can be costly and burdensome, especially for experienced drivers who may be asked to prove skills they use daily in their work.

TfL maintains the assessments are necessary to ensure that all licensed drivers can interact clearly with passengers, respond to emergencies, and understand vital safety information.

With over £630,000 collected in just over nine months, the figures reflect the large volume of assessments TfL processes each year. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, the balance between robust standards and the cost to drivers is likely to remain a point of discussion.