What can London taxi drivers expect from TfL’s incoming SERU assessment?
The incoming London taxi driver SERU assessment will be “entirely based on the day-to-day working life of a taxi driver” say Transport for London (TfL).
Regulators TfL have long confirmed that from 1 October 2025, all new and existing taxi drivers will be required to pass the Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment upon first licensing or on their next licence renewal. Since the turn of the year and as the new test for all taxi drivers approaches, cabbies have become concerned over the difficulty levels of the test and how it may impact their employment.
The test, introduced in response to the Department for Transport’s Statutory Standards, aims to ensure that taxi drivers in the capital have a firm grasp of safety, equality, and regulatory obligations. TfL has said this will help maintain public safety and improve service standards.
The SERU assessment is based entirely on the daily responsibilities of a taxi driver and follows the content of the Taxi Driver’s Handbook, issued to all licensed cabbies. TfL has developed an online guide to assist applicants, covering the handbook in detail and including knowledge checks to help candidates prepare.
The test itself consists of 37 questions, including multiple-choice, sentence completion, and reading comprehension tasks. Candidates will have 45 minutes to complete it and must achieve a minimum pass mark of 60%. The fee for taking the test is £36, with re-sits costing £16.
Private hire drivers are currently allowed two attempts to pass the SERU test. If they fail both times, their licence application is cancelled, requiring them to reapply and pay full application fees. The same process is expected to apply to taxi drivers once the requirement comes into effect.
TfL has stated that the assessment is designed to evaluate professional readiness rather than catch candidates out. However, familiarity with regulations, safety procedures, and the English language will be key to passing. The time limit and practical focus on real-world scenarios may prove challenging for those unused to formal testing.
A TfL spokesperson told TaxiPoint: "In response to the Department for Transport Statutory Standards, we announced in November 2023 that new and existing taxi drivers would be required to pass a Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) assessment.
"The SERU assessment will ensure London taxi drivers have an appropriate understanding of safety, equality and regulatory requirements. This will help ensure public safety and enhance levels of customer service.
"The SERU assessment will be entirely based on the day-to-day working life of a taxi driver and on the contents of the Taxi Drivers Handbook, that is issued to all taxi drivers. Full details of the assessment, as well as advice and guidance, will be communicated to taxi drivers before the introduction of the assessment.”
