What is the TfL SERU test and why are London private hire drivers struggling to pass compared to taxi drivers?
- Perry Richardson
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) test has become a central requirement for driver licensing in London, yet newly released figures suggest many private hire applicants are finding it difficult to meet the required standard compared with taxi drivers.
Introduced by Transport for London (TfL), the SERU assessment is designed to ensure all licensed drivers understand their legal responsibilities, passenger safety obligations and equality duties. It forms part of a broader regulatory push to improve consistency across London’s taxi and private hire sectors, particularly as passenger expectations and scrutiny of driver conduct increase.
The test itself focuses on practical knowledge rather than geography. Candidates are assessed on how they would respond to real-world scenarios, including handling vulnerable passengers, dealing with discrimination issues, understanding licensing conditions and complying with safeguarding requirements. Questions are typically structured to test applied judgement as much as factual recall.
However, recent data shown via a Freedom of Information request shows a clear divide in outcomes. While taxi drivers achieved a 94% pass rate, private hire drivers recorded a significantly lower rate of 54% over the same period. The gap extends to average scores, with taxi drivers achieving 88 out of 100 compared with 64 for private hire drivers.
Industry scrutiny grows as new data highlights a sharp performance gap between taxi and private hire drivers in licensing assessments
Several structural factors may help explain the disparity. Taxi drivers entering the trade must complete the Knowledge of London, a process that can take several years and requires candidates to demonstrate detailed understanding of routes, landmarks and points of interest. This process also develops study discipline, test familiarity and a deeper engagement with regulatory frameworks, which may translate into stronger performance in additional assessments such as SERU.
Private hire drivers, by contrast, typically face fewer pre-entry barriers. While they must still meet background checks and basic topographical assessments, the route into the profession is generally faster and less academically demanding. As a result, some applicants may be less prepared for a test that requires careful reading, interpretation and application of regulatory scenarios.
Language proficiency and comprehension may also be contributing factors. The SERU test is conducted in English and requires a clear understanding of written scenarios. For some private hire applicants, particularly those for whom English is not a first language, this can present an additional challenge when interpreting nuanced regulatory or safeguarding situations.
Industry observers have also pointed to differences in preparation resources. Taxi drivers often benefit from structured learning environments and peer support networks built around the Knowledge process. Private hire drivers, many of whom enter the industry independently or via app-based operators, may have less access to formalised training or guidance tailored specifically to the SERU assessment.
Some within the sector might argue that additional training materials, clearer guidance or revised testing formats could help improve outcomes among private hire drivers. Others suggest the gap simply reflects deeper differences in professional standards.
