Solihull driver conditions: questions and answers

1. You move to a new house. How long do you have to tell the Council?

1. 24 hours
2. 48 hours (correct answer)
3. 7 days
4. 14 days

Answer: B. 48 hours. Changes to your name, address, phone number or email must be told to the Council within 48 hours. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 1

2. How must you tell the Council about a change of address?

1. By phone
2. By letter
3. By email (correct answer)
4. Through your operator

Answer: C. By email. The conditions say to email licensing@solihull.gov.uk. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 1

3. The police ask you to come to a voluntary interview. You are not charged. What must you do?

1. Tell the Council within 48 hours (correct answer)
2. Wait and see if you are charged with anything
3. Tell the Council when you renew
4. Tell only your operator

Answer: A. Tell the Council within 48 hours. A voluntary interview is on the list of things to report within 48 hours. You do not have to be charged first. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 2a

4. You get a Notice of Intended Prosecution for speeding. When must you tell the Council?

1. Only if you are convicted
2. At your next renewal
3. When points are on your licence
4. Within 48 hours (correct answer)

Answer: D. Within 48 hours. A Notice of Intended Prosecution must be reported within 48 hours, the same as a driving conviction or endorsement. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 2c

5. Your operator has already told the Council about your caution. Do you still have to tell the Council?

1. No, once is enough
2. Yes, you must tell them yourself (correct answer)
3. Only if the Council asks you
4. No, unless it is a conviction

Answer: B. Yes, you must tell them yourself. You must make the report yourself, even if someone else has already told the Council. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 2

6. Another council suspends your licence with them, with immediate effect. When must you tell Solihull?

1. Immediately (correct answer)
2. Within 48 hours
3. Within 7 days
4. At your next renewal

Answer: A. Immediately. An invitation to a licence review elsewhere has a 48-hour limit, but a suspension or revocation with immediate effect must be reported immediately. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 2f

7. You develop a medical condition and no longer meet the DVLA Group 2 standard. What must you do?

1. Finish your shift, then see a doctor
2. Tell your operator at the end of the week
3. Stop driving at once and tell the Council within 48 hours (correct answer)
4. Keep driving until your next medical

Answer: C. Stop driving at once and tell the Council within 48 hours. You must stop driving immediately and report it by email within 48 hours. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 3

8. You lose your driver badge. How long do you have to report it?

1. 48 hours (correct answer)
2. 72 hours
3. 7 days
4. 14 days

Answer: A. 48 hours. The loss of a badge or paper licence must be reported by email within 48 hours. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 6

9. You have reported your lost badge. Can you keep working while you wait for a new one?

1. Yes, if you carry your paper licence
2. Yes, for up to 7 days
3. No, not until you have the new badge (correct answer)
4. Yes, if your operator agrees

Answer: C. No, not until you have the new badge. You must not do any journeys until you have the replacement. There is a fee for it. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 6

10. How must you wear your driver badge?

1. In your shirt pocket
2. On a lanyard or a clip, with name and photo showing (correct answer)
3. On the dashboard, facing the passengers in the back seat
4. In the window of the vehicle

Answer: B. On a lanyard or a clip, with name and photo showing. The badge goes on a lanyard around your neck or is clipped to your clothes, and your name and photo must be visible. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 12

11. You grow a full beard, and you no longer look like your badge photo. What must you do?

1. Nothing until you renew
2. Show passengers your passport
3. Tell your operator only
4. Buy a new badge with a current photo (correct answer)

Answer: D. Buy a new badge with a current photo. Customers and officers must be able to recognise you from the photo. If your appearance changes a lot, you must buy a new badge. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 5

12. Who owns your driver badge?

1. You do
2. Your operator
3. The Licensing Authority (correct answer)
4. The DVLA

Answer: C. The Licensing Authority. The badge stays the property of the Licensing Authority, and it must go back when the licence ends. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 13

13. You cannot subscribe to the DBS Update Service. How often must you give the Council a new enhanced DBS certificate?

1. Every three months
2. Every six months (correct answer)
3. Every year
4. Every three years

Answer: B. Every six months. A driver who cannot join the Update Service must provide a new enhanced certificate every six months. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 8

14. The status of your DBS certificate changes on the Update Service. What must you show the Council within 48 hours?

1. That you have applied for a new DBS certificate (correct answer)
2. A letter from your operator
3. A new medical certificate
4. A copy of your driving licence

Answer: A. That you have applied for a new DBS certificate. You must give the Council evidence within 48 hours that you have applied for a new certificate. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 9

15. The Council does not have permission to check your DBS status. Can you take passengers?

1. Yes, if your certificate is recent
2. Yes, for up to 30 days
3. Yes, if your operator agrees
4. No, you must not do any journeys (correct answer)

Answer: D. No, you must not do any journeys. You must not do any journeys while the Council cannot check the status of your certificate. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 11

16. When can you be asked to take a drug or alcohol test?

1. Only after a collision
2. Only at renewal
3. At any time (correct answer)
4. Only if the police are present

Answer: C. At any time. The conditions say a driver may be required to take a drug or alcohol test at any time. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 21

17. A regular passenger offers you her mobile number so you can chat. What must you do?

1. Keep it for bookings only
2. Do not take or keep it (correct answer)
3. Take it if she is an adult
4. Ask your operator first

Answer: B. Do not take or keep it. You must not ask for or keep personal contact details, or try to build a personal relationship with a passenger. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 14

18. It is a hot day. Which clothing breaks the conditions?

1. A plain short-sleeved shirt
2. A clean polo shirt
3. A sleeveless vest (correct answer)
4. A plain T-shirt with sleeves

Answer: C. A sleeveless vest. The upper part of your arms and your shoulders must be covered. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 18

19. Which shoes are allowed while you work?

1. Open sandals
2. Flip-flops
3. Slippers with a closed toe and an open heel at the back
4. Shoes that cover the whole foot to the ankle (correct answer)

Answer: D. Shoes that cover the whole foot to the ankle. Your shoes must cover the foot completely, up to the ankle. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 19

20. The vehicle is empty and you want to use your vape inside it. Is this allowed?

1. No, not by anyone at any time (correct answer)
2. Yes, if there are no passengers
3. Yes, if the windows are open
4. Yes, between bookings only

Answer: A. No, not by anyone at any time. The ban covers cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vapes. It applies to everyone in the vehicle, all the time. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 20

21. A passenger smoked in your private hire vehicle. Who must you report this to?

1. The police, within 24 hours
2. The operator, right after the journey (correct answer)
3. The Council, at your next renewal
4. Nobody, if you asked them to stop

Answer: B. The operator, right after the journey. You must report it to the operator who took the booking, immediately after the journey. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 20

22. You feel very tired, but a booking is waiting. What do the conditions say?

1. Drive slowly with the windows open to stay awake
2. Take the booking, then rest
3. Have a coffee and carry on
4. You must not drive if you are tired (correct answer)

Answer: D. You must not drive if you are tired. Before every journey you must be fit and awake. If you are tired, do not drive. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 23

23. Which equipment must you not use?

1. A speed trap detector (correct answer)
2. A sat nav in a fixed holder
3. A card reader
4. A dashboard phone holder

Answer: A. A speed trap detector. The conditions ban radio scanner equipment and speed trap detectors. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 24

24. You are waiting in a residential street for your next booking. Which of these could break the conditions?

1. Waiting in a marked parking bay
2. Keeping the engine running for a long time (correct answer)
3. Checking your phone with the engine off
4. Reading a newspaper with the engine and the radio off

Answer: B. Keeping the engine running for a long time. Long or needless engine idling, a loud radio and loud talking can all be a nuisance to residents. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 25

25. You have no booking. Can you wait outside a busy restaurant or a railway station?

1. Yes, if you stay in the vehicle
2. Yes, for up to 10 minutes
3. Yes, if your licence plate is clearly on show
4. No, as you may look available for hire (correct answer)

Answer: D. No, as you may look available for hire. Without a booking from your operator, you must not park or wait in a prominent place where you look available for hire. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 26

26. You are working in another town. A licensing officer from that council makes a reasonable request. What must you do?

1. Refuse, as they are not from Solihull
2. Co-operate with the officer (correct answer)
3. Call your operator and drive away
4. Ask them to write to Solihull

Answer: B. Co-operate with the officer. Officers from other councils can make reasonable requests of you, and you must help them. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 16

27. A passenger asks for your name and badge number. What must you do?

1. Give them (correct answer)
2. Ask your operator first
3. Give only your first name
4. Refuse, for your own safety

Answer: A. Give them. You must give your name and badge number to any passenger who asks. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 27

28. You arrive at the pick-up point. A passenger who is blind cannot find your vehicle. What should you do?

1. Sound the horn and wait
2. Help them, at no extra charge (correct answer)
3. Help them, and add a small charge
4. Ring the operator and stay inside

Answer: B. Help them, at no extra charge. You must make yourself known on arrival and help any passenger who asks to identify the vehicle, at no extra charge. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 28

29. A passenger wants to sit in the front seat of your private hire vehicle. It is a licensed seat. What applies?

1. Passengers must sit in the back
2. It is your choice
3. Only if nobody else is in the vehicle
4. They can choose any licensed seat (correct answer)

Answer: D. They can choose any licensed seat. Passengers must be allowed to sit in the licensed seat they choose. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 30

30. A passenger has a dog that is still being trained as an assistance dog. How must you treat it?

1. As a pet, so you may refuse it
2. As an assistance dog (correct answer)
3. You may ask for an extra fee
4. It must travel in a crate

Answer: B. As an assistance dog. The conditions say trainee assistance dogs must be treated as though they were assistance dogs. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 31

31. You hold an Equality Act exemption certificate. Where must it be shown?

1. In the glove box
2. On the rear window
3. On the front windscreen, facing out (correct answer)
4. On the back of the front seat

Answer: C. On the front windscreen, facing out. It must face outwards from the front windscreen, and be handed to any passenger who asks for it. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 22

32. When must you tell passengers about the cashless ways they can pay?

1. When they get out
2. After you have set off
3. Only if they ask you
4. Before the journey starts (correct answer)

Answer: D. Before the journey starts. Passengers must know about cashless payment before the journey begins. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 32

33. Your friend wants to come along for the ride on a booked journey. What applies?

1. Allowed if there is a free seat
2. Not allowed unless the hirer agrees (correct answer)
3. Allowed if your friend pays
4. Allowed in daylight only

Answer: B. Not allowed unless the hirer agrees. No one else may be in the vehicle without the consent of the person who hired it. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 36

34. Unless the passenger asks for something else, which route must you take?

1. The route you know best
2. The quickest route
3. The cheapest route for the passenger (correct answer)
4. The route your sat nav happens to pick first on the day

Answer: C. The cheapest route for the passenger. You must drive by the cheapest route for the passenger unless they ask otherwise, and tell them of any change to the expected route. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 37

35. When may you play the radio with a passenger on board?

1. If the volume is low
2. If the passenger agrees (correct answer)
3. On journeys over 10 minutes
4. At any time

Answer: B. If the passenger agrees. Radio or music may not be played unless the passenger agrees. Equipment for sending or receiving messages about your work is the exception. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 38

36. When may you make a phone call with a passenger on board?

1. In an emergency, hands-free and lawfully (correct answer)
2. For short work calls, hands-free
3. When the passenger in the vehicle has agreed to it
4. When you have stopped at traffic lights

Answer: A. In an emergency, hands-free and lawfully. Calls are not allowed while you have passengers, except in an emergency, and then they must be hands-free and lawful. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 39

37. You are worried that a child passenger is under the control of someone who puts them at risk. There is no immediate danger. How soon must you report it?

1. Within 7 days
2. Within 72 hours
3. Within 48 hours
4. As soon as possible, and within 24 hours at most (correct answer)

Answer: D. As soon as possible, and within 24 hours at most. Tell a safeguarding body or other relevant authority quickly: 24 hours is the longest you may wait. If the danger is immediate, call 999. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 40

38. What are you allowed to eat or drink during a journey?

1. A snack, if you are careful
2. Only water, if it is safe (correct answer)
3. Hot drinks from a lidded cup
4. Nothing at all

Answer: B. Only water, if it is safe. You must not eat during a journey. You may drink water if it is safe to do so. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 41

39. A passenger wants to eat a sandwich in your vehicle. Who decides if this is allowed?

1. The operator
2. The Council
3. The driver (correct answer)
4. The passenger

Answer: C. The driver. It is for the driver to decide whether passengers may eat or drink in the vehicle. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 41

40. A passenger asks for a receipt. Which of these must it show?

1. The passenger’s name
2. The route you took
3. Your home address
4. The operator that took the booking (correct answer)

Answer: D. The operator that took the booking. A receipt must show your name or licence number, the vehicle registration or licence number, the date and time, the fare paid and the operator. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 43

41. You find a bag on the back seat at the end of a booked journey. What must you do with it?

1. Hand it to the police the next day
2. Keep it for 28 days
3. Tell the operator at once and take it to them within 48 hours (correct answer)
4. Take it to the Council within 72 hours

Answer: C. Tell the operator at once and take it to them within 48 hours. Tell the operator who gave you the booking straight away, and get the item to them within 48 hours. Solihull policy 2026, Annex C, condition 45