A one-day course of about 6 hours, then a 28-question written multiple-choice test with a 75% pass mark and 8 key questions.
- 28 questions
- 75% to pass
- No time limit
- 8 key questions
Wolverhampton's own topics: plying for hire, licence conditions
Practise for your taxi knowledge test
Every council sets its own test for hackney carriage and private hire drivers, but most of them check the same things: safeguarding, disability duties, licensing law, the Highway Code and fares. Practise those here, then the parts only your council asks about.
Free, no sign-up. Every page says which council document it is based on and when we last checked it.
Try a question
SafeguardingQuestion 1 of 6
A girl of about 14 gets in your taxi with two men in their thirties. They are not her family. She looks scared and does not speak. What should you think?
Choose your council
Wolverhampton283 Birmingham99 Private hire drivers take the Private Hire Suitability Test: 18 multiple-choice questions in three sections of 6. Hackney carriage drivers take a…
Birmingham's own topics: private hire legal information, licence conditions, plying for hire
Manchester228 A 20-minute computer skills assessment, then a knowledge test: an A-Z section (using the A-Z, locations, byelaws) and a safeguarding section, plus a…
Manchester's own topics: byelaws, locations
Leeds323 A set of training modules, each with its own test: driving, English, local knowledge, regulatory framework, professional standards, safeguarding and…
Leeds's own topics: regulatory framework, local knowledge
Bradford299 Online Driver Modular Training with an assessment and CSE training, plus a video interview; hackney carriage drivers also take a Knowledge Test.
Bradford's own topics: licensing compliance
PractiseNo mock: format not publishedSheffield339 A 60-minute computer test of 40 multiple-choice questions in five sections, with a pass mark of 80% in each section.
Sheffield's own topics: laws and conditions, routes, points of interest
Nottingham288 A 45-minute electronic Topography Test in five sections: licence conditions, premises and locations, numeracy, road signs and shortest route.
Nottingham's own topics: licence conditions, premises and locations, shortest routes
Leicester139 A one-hour written test on paper: outline maps of Leicester plus multiple-choice and true or false questions on taxi rules.
Leicester's own topics: streets and places, rules and regulations
Bristol381 A 100-question multiple-choice knowledge test of up to 90 minutes, with separate hackney carriage (90% pass) and private hire (75% pass) versions.
Bristol's own topics: policy and legislation, places, offices, flats and outside bristol
Sefton222 An open-book test of 10 questions on the Licensing Handbook; you need 7 right to pass.
Sefton's own topics: licensing handbook
- Council not listed?Most councils test the same six core topics. Start there, and see how the tests compare.Compare the tests →
What most councils test
- Safeguarding and CSE awarenessSigns of child sexual exploitation, county lines and modern slavery, and who to call.57 questions
- Equality and disability dutiesWheelchair users, assistance dogs, exemption certificates and the Equality Act duties.51 questions
- Licensing law basicsHackney carriage or private hire, plying for hire, fit and proper, appeals and DBS checks.55 questions
- Customer care, conflict and personal safetyFare disputes, calming conflict, personal safety, CCTV, lost property and child seats.46 questions
- Highway Code for taxi and private hire driversSigns, speed limits, stopping distances, bus lanes, phones, seat belts and parking.54 questions
- Numeracy and faresFares from a tariff, giving change, splitting fares, journey times and the 24-hour clock.45 questions
Questions and answers to print
Every question with its answer and explanation, as a free PDF. Print it, or keep it on your phone for the bus.
- Wolverhampton283 questions, PDF
- Birmingham99 questions, PDF
- Manchester228 questions, PDF
- Leeds323 questions, PDF
- Bradford299 questions, PDF
- Sheffield339 questions, PDF
- Nottingham288 questions, PDF
- Leicester139 questions, PDF
- Bristol381 questions, PDF
- Sefton222 questions, PDF
How you get a licence
The usual order for a new driver. Your council's page has its own steps.
- Apply to the councilYou need a full driving licence, usually held for 12 months to 3 years, and the right to work in the UK.
- ChecksAn enhanced DBS check and a Group 2 medical, the standard for bus and lorry drivers.
- Knowledge testThe council's own test: what it covers and how hard it is depends on the council.
- TrainingMost councils also ask for safeguarding training, and many for disability awareness.
- Driving assessmentMany councils want a practical assessment with an approved provider.
- LicenceYour badge and licence. Private hire drivers then work through a licensed operator.
Guides
- Hackney carriage or private hire: which licence do you need?The difference between a hackney carriage and a private hire licence in England: ranks and hailing, pre-booking, insurance, fares, the triple lock and tests.
- What is the taxi knowledge test?What the taxi knowledge test is in England, what it covers, typical formats and pass marks, what else councils ask for, and how to prepare.
- Taxi knowledge tests compared by councilQuestions, pass marks and fees for every council we cover, side by side.
- How to book the Wolverhampton taxi testWhere to book, what to bring and what it costs.
Questions people ask
Is there one taxi knowledge test for the whole UK?
No. In England every council sets its own test, so a Wolverhampton test is nothing like a Sheffield one. London has TfL’s own tests. Choose your council above to see what yours asks.
Are these the real test questions?
No. Councils keep their question banks private. Every question here is written fresh from what the council and the law say drivers must know, and names the rule it comes from.
How many questions are in the taxi knowledge test?
It depends on the council: 10 in Sefton, 18 in Birmingham, 28 in Wolverhampton, 40 in Sheffield and 100 in Bristol. See how the tests compare.
Is it free?
Yes. Every question, answer, mock test and PDF on this site is free, with no account.