SERU driver licensing: questions and answers

1. Priya wants to apply for a London PHV driver's licence. How old must she be when she applies?

1. 18 or older
2. 21 or older (correct answer)
3. 23 or older
4. 25 or older

Answer: B. 21 or older. You must be aged 21 or older when you apply for a London PHV driver's licence. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

2. For a London PHV driver's licence, there is blank if you meet the other requirements.

1. an upper age limit of 70
2. an upper age limit of 65
3. an upper age limit of 75
4. no upper age limit (correct answer)

Answer: D. no upper age limit. TfL sets no upper age limit. An older driver can hold a licence if they still meet the other requirements. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

3. Your full driving licence must be at least blank old when you apply.

1. three years (correct answer)
2. one year
3. five years
4. two years

Answer: A. three years. TfL needs a full DVLA, Northern Ireland or other EEA licence that is at least three years old. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

4. Omar exchanged a licence from a designated country for a UK licence 18 months ago. He held the old licence for 10 years. What counts towards the three-year rule?

1. The full 10 years on his old licence
2. The 10 years and the 18 months together
3. Only the 18 months on his UK licence (correct answer)
4. Half of the time on his old licence

Answer: C. Only the 18 months on his UK licence. TfL's current page says time on a licence from a designated country before the exchange does not count. Only time on the UK or EU/EEA licence counts. The Handbook does not explain this. TfL, Apply for a private hire driver licence (current page)

5. To show you are fit to hold a licence, you need blank from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

1. a basic check
2. an enhanced check (correct answer)
3. a standard check
4. a character letter

Answer: B. an enhanced check. You must have an enhanced criminal records check from the DBS. TfL uses a separate company to arrange it, and you must use that company. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

6. What does TfL now say about the DBS Update Service?

1. Register only if TfL finds a problem with your check
2. Register only when your first licence ends
3. Register only if you are over the age of 45
4. Register before you get a licence and stay subscribed (correct answer)

Answer: D. Register before you get a licence and stay subscribed. The Handbook does not mention this, but TfL's current page does. TfL cannot grant a licence until you have registered, and once licensed you must keep your subscription going without a break. TfL, Apply for a private hire driver licence (current page)

7. TfL uses blank to judge your reading and writing in English.

1. the SERU assessment (correct answer)
2. the medical examination
3. the topographical assessment
4. the DBS check

Answer: A. the SERU assessment. The SERU assessment also tells TfL about your reading and writing. A separate test covers speaking and listening. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

8. Amir lived abroad for four months in a row, six years ago. What must he give TfL when he applies?

1. A letter from his landlord in that country
2. A Certificate of Good Conduct from that country (correct answer)
3. A new medical form from a doctor in that country
4. Nothing, because he was away for under a year

Answer: B. A Certificate of Good Conduct from that country. The Handbook does not cover this, but TfL's current page does. You need a Certificate of Good Conduct if you lived abroad for three months or more in a row in the last 10 years. Long holidays count too. TfL, Apply for a private hire driver licence (current page)

9. A London PHV driver's licence normally lasts for blank.

1. one year
2. two years
3. five years
4. three years (correct answer)

Answer: D. three years. A licence normally lasts for three years. If TfL gives you a shorter one, the letter with the licence explains why. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

10. A police officer asks to see your PHV driver's licence, but it is at home. You must show it within blank at most.

1. seven days (correct answer)
2. 48 hours
3. 21 days
4. 24 hours

Answer: A. seven days. The Handbook says to show it straight away or within seven days at most, and the same applies to a TfL Authorised Officer. The PHV Act 1998 and TfL's Driver Policy say six days, so produce it within six to be safe. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1; Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, s.21; TfL Driver Policy, 4.8.2

11. Your licence comes with a letter that lists some conditions. What should you do with the letter?

1. Give it to your operator to keep
2. Keep it and follow the conditions (correct answer)
3. Send it back to TfL within seven days
4. Keep it only until your first medical

Answer: B. Keep it and follow the conditions. Keep the letter and follow any conditions in it. If you do not follow them, TfL may revoke your licence. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

12. You are parked and waiting for a booking. Nobody is in your vehicle. Must you wear your badge?

1. No, only when a passenger is on board
2. No, only on the way to a pick-up
3. Yes, and people must be able to see it (correct answer)
4. Only if it is dark outside

Answer: C. Yes, and people must be able to see it. You must wear your badge whenever you are working, and this includes waiting for a booking. People must be able to see it clearly. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

13. A passenger asks for your licence number. What should you do?

1. Tell them to ring TfL
2. Show them your driving licence
3. Tell them to ask your operator
4. Let them see your badge (correct answer)

Answer: D. Let them see your badge. Your licence number is on your badge. Let the passenger see it so they can write the number down. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

14. The text on the badge in blank lets a vision-impaired person know you are licensed.

1. large print
2. Braille (correct answer)
3. bright colours
4. raised pictures

Answer: B. Braille. The badge includes Braille text, so a vision-impaired person can tell that you are licensed. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

15. Which is one reason TfL can exempt you from wearing your badge?

1. The journey is under one mile
2. The badge is on the dashboard
3. Wearing it presents a specific risk (correct answer)
4. You are driving a friend's vehicle

Answer: C. Wearing it presents a specific risk. TfL's Driver Policy says it gives exemptions only in exceptional circumstances, where wearing a badge presents a specific risk. The Handbook only says that TfL can give an exemption. TfL Taxi and Private Hire Driver Policy, v6.0, 4.30

16. Someone steals your badge. You must tell TfL and the police, and get blank from the police.

1. a crime reference number (correct answer)
2. a replacement badge
3. a new licence letter
4. a Certificate of Good Conduct

Answer: A. a crime reference number. Report it to TfL straight away. Also report a stolen badge to the police and get a crime reference number. You cannot work without your badge. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

17. Which medical standards must you meet to get a PHV driver's licence?

1. DVLA Group 1
2. The NHS Health Check
3. DVLA Group 2 (correct answer)
4. Your own GP's standards

Answer: C. DVLA Group 2. The medical standards for London PHV drivers are the DVLA Group 2 standards. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

18. From the age of blank, you must have a medical examination each time you apply to renew your licence.

1. 40
2. 45 (correct answer)
3. 50
4. 65

Answer: B. 45. From the age of 45, a PHV driver must have a medical examination at each renewal. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

19. From the age of 65, you must have a medical assessment blank.

1. every five years
2. every three years
3. every two years
4. every year (correct answer)

Answer: D. every year. From the age of 65, a PHV driver must have a medical assessment every year. Missing information could cost you your licence. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

20. Which applicant does not need to complete a medical form?

1. Someone with a DVLA Group 2 licence (correct answer)
2. Someone with a full car driving licence
3. Someone with a recent letter from their GP
4. Someone who is under the age of 30

Answer: A. Someone with a DVLA Group 2 licence. TfL's current page lists a full or provisional DVLA Group 2 licence. The Handbook also lists a London taxi licence and a pilot's licence, but the current page does not, so ask TfL if you hold one. TfL, Apply for a private hire driver licence (current page)

21. TfL has sent you the medical form. Who must make sure it is completed and returned?

1. Your operator
2. TfL
3. You (correct answer)
4. The DVLA

Answer: C. You. You are responsible. A doctor must fill in all the health information, and you must return the form to TfL. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

22. You develop a new medical condition that may affect your driving. When should you tell TfL?

1. Immediately (correct answer)
2. At your next renewal
3. Within 21 days
4. Only if you feel ill

Answer: A. Immediately. Tell TfL immediately, even if your next medical is not due yet. Do not wait for your next renewal. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

23. Which of these does the Handbook name as a condition to tell TfL about?

1. A short cold
2. Hay fever
3. Epilepsy (correct answer)
4. A mild headache

Answer: C. Epilepsy. Epilepsy is on TfL's list of conditions to report. Others include diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure and strokes. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

24. You are not sure if a health problem needs to be reported. What should you do?

1. Contact TfL for advice (correct answer)
2. Wait until your next medical
3. Ask a passenger what they think
4. Ask your operator to decide

Answer: A. Contact TfL for advice. If you are not sure, contact TfL for advice. TfL also suggests you check with the DVLA, because its standards often change. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

25. Your licence was granted in August 2024. The police arrest you, then release you. When must you tell TfL?

1. Within 7 days
2. Only if you are charged
3. Within 48 hours (correct answer)
4. Within 21 days

Answer: C. Within 48 hours. The Handbook says 'immediately'. TfL's current page sets a limit: if your licence was granted on or after 1 July 2024, report any arrest and release, charge, caution or conviction within 48 hours. TfL, Apply for a private hire driver licence (current page)

26. Your licence was granted in May 2024. You get a caution. You must tell TfL within blank, though TfL strongly encourages 48 hours.

1. 7 days
2. 14 days
3. 21 days (correct answer)
4. 28 days

Answer: C. 21 days. The Handbook says 'immediately', but TfL's current page sets different limits. For a licence granted before 1 July 2024, report new convictions and cautions within 21 days. TfL strongly encourages 48 hours, and the 48-hour rule applies once you are relicensed. TfL, Apply for a private hire driver licence (current page)

27. You are responsible for telling TfL about your offences. Do not rely on blank to tell TfL.

1. the police (correct answer)
2. your operator
3. your passengers
4. the DVLA

Answer: A. the police. It is your own job to tell TfL. The Handbook warns you not to rely on the police doing it, and failing to report a conviction could cost you your licence. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

28. Which of these must you report to TfL?

1. A parking ticket with no penalty points
2. A road offence with penalty points (correct answer)
3. A penalty charge notice with no points
4. A bus lane charge notice with no points

Answer: B. A road offence with penalty points. You must report offences that put penalty points on your driving licence. You do not need to report PCNs or parking tickets that bring no points. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

29. If you get frequent parking tickets, TfL may blank, even with no penalty points.

1. take licensing action (correct answer)
2. pay the fines for you
3. change your badge
4. move your operator

Answer: A. take licensing action. You do not have to report tickets with no points. But TfL expects responsible behaviour, so it may act if it learns you get them often. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

30. If you move home, you should tell TfL within blank.

1. 7 days
2. 14 days
3. 28 days
4. 21 days (correct answer)

Answer: D. 21 days. Tell TfL about a new home address within 21 days. Also tell TfL about a new email address or phone number. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

31. You have moved home and told TfL. Who else must you tell by law?

1. Your local council
2. Your bank
3. The DVLA (correct answer)
4. The DBS

Answer: C. The DVLA. The law says you must tell the DVLA. The address on your PHV driver's licence should match the one on your DVLA licence. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

32. You also drive for another licensing authority, and it revokes your taxi licence. What must you do?

1. Tell TfL immediately (correct answer)
2. Tell TfL when you renew
3. Tell only your operator
4. Tell only the other council

Answer: A. Tell TfL immediately. A suspended, revoked or refused licence with another authority is a change you must tell TfL about straight away. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

33. TfL writes to you about a complaint and asks for your comments. Why is it important to reply?

1. Your operator gets a fine if you do not
2. TfL can only decide on what it has been told (correct answer)
3. TfL must fine you if you do not
4. TfL must close the complaint if you do

Answer: B. TfL can only decide on what it has been told. TfL can only make licensing decisions on the information it receives. Your reply gives TfL your side. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1

34. If TfL revokes your licence, you must return it within blank.

1. 48 hours
2. seven days (correct answer)
3. 14 days
4. 21 days

Answer: B. seven days. Return your licence within seven days. If you do not, or the decision takes effect at once, TfL may send an Authorised Officer to collect it. TfL PHV Driver's Handbook, Section 1