Taxi Knowledge Test

Sefton taxi knowledge test

Based on New Drivers (Sefton Council, published 22 October 2026) and 6 other sources. Checked .

An open-book test of 10 questions on the Licensing Handbook; you need 7 right to pass.

How to bookTake the mock test

The test at a glance

CouncilSefton Council
LicencesHackney carriage and private hire
Questions10, each headed with its subject
Pass markAt least 7 correct
Open bookYes, the Licensing Handbook is available during the test
Based onLicensing Handbook version 3.3 (revised 11 March 2024)
Who takes itAll new hackney carriage and private hire drivers; one test for both. The extra street knowledge test for hackney drivers was removed in September 2022
FeeFirst test included in the £50 new driver application fee; each resit £10 (fees from 1 April 2026)
WhenAfter your One Stop Shop appointment in Bootle, once your checks are complete
Time limitNot published
Training courseNot needed: the VRQ requirement was removed in September 2022

How to book

  • You do not book the test yourself first. Apply on the Council's online portal and pay the £50 application fee; the Council emails you an appointment at Bootle One Stop Shop.
  • Bring all the original documents you uploaded, and your original DBS certificate subscribed to the Update Service. Copies, phone images and printouts are not accepted.
  • Once your checks are complete, the Council invites you to the knowledge test.
  • If you fail or do not attend, each resit costs £10. Fees are not refunded in any circumstances.
  • The Council expects you to pass the test and finish all checks so your licence can be issued within 4 months of your medical.
  • You do not need to take the test again if your last licence expired less than 2 years ago.
  • The handbook says the test must be passed without an interpreter.

Sefton Council: New Drivers

This site isn't the council. Booking and payment happen on the official site.

About the Sefton test

Sefton Council licenses hackney carriage and private hire drivers in Bootle, Southport, Crosby, Formby, Maghull and the rest of the borough. Every new driver must pass the Council's knowledge test.

The test has 10 questions and you need at least 7 right to pass. All the answers are in the Council's Licensing Handbook, and you have a copy of the handbook with you during the test. Each question is headed with its subject, such as "Guide Dogs", so you can find the answer through the index.

This page sums up what the Council publishes and gives you practice from the handbook. We are not the Council; check the New Drivers page before you apply.

Practise for the Sefton test

Download every Sefton question and answer as a PDF

Steps to a licence in Sefton

  1. Have held a full driving licence (UK or EEA) for at least 12 months.
  2. Get an enhanced DBS certificate with both barred lists (for example through TaxiPlus) and join the DBS Update Service within 28 days of its issue date.
  3. Get a DVLA check code so the Council can see your driving record.
  4. Have proof of your right to work in the UK, from List A or List B of the Council's Annexe A, or an online right to work check code.
  5. Have a DVLA Group 2 medical with your GP or another GMC-registered doctor who can see your records. It is valid for 4 months.
  6. Get an HMRC tax check code if you are renewing or have held this type of licence recently.
  7. Apply on the online portal and pay the £50 application fee.
  8. Attend your appointment at Bootle One Stop Shop with your original documents.
  9. Pass the knowledge test (10 questions, 7 to pass).

Recent changes

  • : Fees from 1 April 2026: new driver application fee £50 (includes the first knowledge test); repeat knowledge test £10. (source)
  • : New drivers pay a non-refundable £50 application fee, which includes the first knowledge test. Resits cost £10. (source)
  • : Licensing Handbook version 3.3 published; the test is based on it. (source)
  • : The Licensing and Regulatory Committee removed the extra street knowledge (topographical) test for new hackney carriage drivers. All new drivers still take the test on conditions. The same meeting removed the VRQ training requirement and agreed a new training course would be designed and later made mandatory. (source)

What Sefton doesn't publish

We couldn't confirm these from the council's own pages, so ask the licensing team if they matter to you.

  • How long the test lasts. The Council does not publish a time limit.
  • Where the test is taken. The New Drivers page links it to the Bootle One Stop Shop appointment, and a June 2026 news report of a committee meeting says the Bootle One Stop Shop held 480 tests in May 2026. The older handbook says tests can be taken at Bootle or Southport One Stop Shops. The Council's page does not say whether Southport is still used.
  • Whether the new training course agreed in September 2022 has started. The Council's FAQ page says a VRQ is not part of its criteria, and the New Drivers page lists no training course, but the Council has not said whether a replacement course is now required.
  • Whether there is a limit on resits or a wait between attempts. The Council only says each resit costs £10.
  • What the Council's own sample questions look like. Its committee papers with sample questions (2015 to 2017) could not be opened, and no archived copies exist.

Sefton taxi test questions people ask

How many questions are in the Sefton knowledge test?

10. You must answer at least 7 correctly to pass.

Is the Sefton test open book?

Yes. All the answers are in the Licensing Handbook, and the handbook is available to you during the test. Each question is headed with its subject, so use the index to find the right page.

How much does it cost?

Your first test is included in the £50 new driver application fee. Each resit costs £10. Fees are not refunded.

Is there a separate test for hackney carriage drivers?

No. Sefton used to give new hackney carriage drivers an extra street knowledge test. Its Licensing and Regulatory Committee removed it on 5 September 2022, so all new drivers now take the same 10-question test on the handbook.

Do I need to take the test if I was licensed before?

Not if your last licence expired less than 2 years ago.

Can I use an interpreter?

No. The handbook says the knowledge test must be passed without the aid of an interpreter.

Do I need the VRQ or another training course?

Not at the moment, as far as the Council publishes. The committee removed the VRQ requirement on 5 September 2022 and agreed to design a new course, to be made mandatory once it is ready. The Council's FAQ page says the VRQ is not part of its criteria. The 2024 handbook still mentions the VRQ, but that part is out of date.

What if I fail?

Each resit costs £10. The Council does not publish a limit on resits. Fees are not refunded, and you are also charged if you do not attend.

Sources

Councils update their tests and policies, often yearly. If something here no longer matches your council's guidance, the council is right; please tell us so we can fix it.