Taxi Knowledge Test

Solihull policy and suitability: questions and answers

Based on Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Handbook (Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2026), version 1.2 (Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, published 1 July 2026) and 2 other sources. Checked .

The test's compliance subject also covers policy requirements. These questions are based on the Council's Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy, including Annex A, its guidance on who is suitable to hold a licence, and on its driver licence guide.

Annex A lists guideline sanctions. Each case is decided on its own merits, and the Council can depart from the guidelines, so these periods are what will normally happen. The national law on suspension and appeals is in our licensing law topic.

38 questions in 4 sets. Answer one set at a time and you'll see the right answer straight away. Every question and answer is also listed below and in a free PDF.

Applying and renewing

0 right0 wrong

Question 1 of 12

How many questions must you get right to pass the Solihull training course test?

All 38 questions and answers

Open a set to see each question, the right answer and why.

Download the PDFPrintable version
Applying and renewing12 questions

  1. 1. How many questions must you get right to pass the Solihull training course test?

    1. 24 out of 48
    2. 30 out of 48
    3. 36 out of 48
    4. 42 out of 48

    Answer: C. 36 out of 48. There are 48 questions, 8 on each subject. You must get 36 right, which is 75%. Solihull policy 2026, section 1.4

  2. 2. You fail the course test. What can you do?

    1. Wait for one year
    2. Retake the whole course or just the test, for a fee
    3. Apply for a licence anyway
    4. Only retake the questions you got wrong

    Answer: B. Retake the whole course or just the test, for a fee. You may retake the whole course or just the test. A fee is payable. Solihull policy 2026, section 1.4

  3. 3. Who carries out the practical driving assessment you need before applying?

    1. The DVLA
    2. Your operator
    3. A Council officer
    4. The Blue Lamp Trust

    Answer: D. The Blue Lamp Trust. The assessment is with the Blue Lamp Trust, and the certificate must be less than 12 months old when you apply. Solihull policy 2026, section 1.1

  4. 4. How soon after your enhanced DBS certificate is issued must you join the DBS Update Service?

    1. Within 30 days
    2. Within 60 days
    3. Within six months
    4. Within one year

    Answer: A. Within 30 days. You must subscribe within 30 days of the certificate being issued, so the Council can check your record regularly. Solihull policy 2026, section 1.2

  5. 5. How recent must your medical certificate be when you apply?

    1. Dated within 1 week
    2. Dated within 1 month
    3. Dated within 6 months
    4. Dated within 12 months

    Answer: B. Dated within 1 month. The certificate should be dated within one month when you make your application. Solihull policy 2026, section 1.3

  6. 6. You are 44 and licensed. When is your next medical certificate due, if you have no health conditions?

    1. At 45, sent before that birthday
    2. At 50, sent after that birthday
    3. At 65, sent after that birthday
    4. Only when you next renew

    Answer: A. At 45, sent before that birthday. Certificates are needed at 45, then every five years to 65, and then every year. You must send it before the milestone age. Solihull policy 2026, section 7.3

  7. 7. How long is the DVLA check code valid for?

    1. 7 days
    2. 14 days
    3. 21 days
    4. 120 days

    Answer: C. 21 days. The code that lets the Council view your driving licence is valid for only 21 days. Solihull policy 2026, section 1.5

  8. 8. You want an appointment with the Licensing team. What must you do?

    1. Walk in during office hours
    2. Email to book one
    3. Ask your operator to call
    4. Write a letter to the Council

    Answer: B. Email to book one. The Council does not accept walk-ins. You must email licensing@solihull.gov.uk to book. Solihull policy 2026, section 1.8

  9. 9. You renew your licence. How many questions must you get right in the refresher training test?

    1. 12 out of 24
    2. 18 out of 24
    3. 20 out of 24
    4. 24 out of 24

    Answer: B. 18 out of 24. The refresher test has 24 questions, and you must answer at least 18 correctly. Solihull policy 2026, section 4.3

  10. 10. How long before your licence expires should you book your renewal appointment?

    1. At least one week
    2. At least 4 to 6 weeks
    3. At least 6 months
    4. On the day it expires

    Answer: B. At least 4 to 6 weeks. The Council strongly advises an appointment at least four to six weeks before the licence expires. Solihull policy 2026, section 4

  11. 11. How many times may a hackney carriage applicant take the knowledge test?

    1. Once
    2. Up to three times
    3. Up to five times
    4. As many times as needed

    Answer: B. Up to three times. The test may be taken up to three times, and must be passed within 12 months of the application. Solihull policy 2026, section 2.4

  12. 12. What score does a hackney carriage applicant need on each part of the knowledge test?

    1. 75%
    2. 80%
    3. 90%
    4. 100%

    Answer: C. 90%. The test has 50 two-point locations and 20 routes, and you need 90% on both parts. Solihull policy 2026, section 2.4

What the Council looks at8 questions

  1. 13. How does the Council usually treat a caution?

    1. It ignores it after a year
    2. The same as a conviction
    3. As a minor matter
    4. As a warning only

    Answer: B. The same as a conviction. You must admit guilt to get a caution, so the Council usually treats it just like a conviction. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 1.4

  2. 14. You tell a licensing panel that you need your licence to support your family. How much weight can this have?

    1. It cannot be considered
    2. It decides most cases
    3. It counts for new applicants
    4. It counts if you have children

    Answer: A. It cannot be considered. Money and family troubles play no part. The Council looks only at whether you are safe and suitable. Solihull policy 2026, section 3.2

  3. 15. A driver got a speeding conviction in their own car, on a day off. What does the Council say?

    1. It does not count
    2. It counts only at renewal
    3. It is still relevant
    4. It counts only if it was in Solihull

    Answer: C. It is still relevant. Many drivers wrongly think an offence in their own car matters less. It does not: any driving offence is relevant, because it puts the public in danger. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 3.7

  4. 16. Can the Council take spent convictions into account?

    1. No, they must be ignored
    2. Only for sexual offences
    3. Only for the last five years
    4. Yes, spent or not

    Answer: D. Yes, spent or not. The Council may take into account all convictions recorded against an applicant or driver, whether they are spent or not. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 3.1

  5. 17. An applicant does not declare a conviction on the form. What will normally happen?

    1. A small extra fee
    2. The licence is refused, or revoked if already granted
    3. A note on the file only
    4. A second form to fill in

    Answer: B. The licence is refused, or revoked if already granted. Dishonesty in the application will normally mean refusal or revocation, and may lead to prosecution. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 3.6

  6. 18. The Council asks you to take a drug test at short notice. Who pays?

    1. You do
    2. The Council
    3. Your operator
    4. The NHS

    Answer: A. You do. Medical or drug testing may be required at short notice, at your own expense. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 11.3

  7. 19. A new applicant has been charged with an offence and is waiting for trial. What will normally happen to the application?

    1. It will be refused straight away
    2. It will be granted for one year
    3. The decision will be put off until the case ends
    4. It will be passed to another council

    Answer: C. The decision will be put off until the case ends. The decision will normally be deferred until the trial is over or the charges are withdrawn. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 3.4

  8. 20. You no longer want your driver licence. What should you do?

    1. Post your badge and licence to the DVLA with a short letter
    2. Give your badge to your operator
    3. Just stop working
    4. Book an appointment to return your badge and paper licence

    Answer: D. Book an appointment to return your badge and paper licence. You cannot surrender a driver licence. Email for an appointment to return them, and the licence stays on file until it runs out. Solihull policy 2026, section 7.4

Penalty points and driving offences8 questions

  1. 21. You have 2 points on your DVLA licence for a minor traffic offence. What does the policy say will happen?

    1. A written warning kept on file
    2. No action
    3. A three-month suspension
    4. Revocation

    Answer: A. A written warning kept on file. For 0-3 points, the sanction is a written warning kept on file. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.2

  2. 22. You have 6 points for minor traffic offences. What does the policy say?

    1. No action
    2. A written warning and/or a course at your own cost
    3. A two-year ban
    4. Revocation

    Answer: B. A written warning and/or a course at your own cost. For 4-8 points, you get a written warning and/or an approved educational course at your expense. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.2

  3. 23. You have 10 points for minor traffic offences. What does the policy say?

    1. A written warning only
    2. A course at your own cost
    3. A fit and proper decision, with possible suspension
    4. Nothing until you reach 12

    Answer: C. A fit and proper decision, with possible suspension. At 9-11 points there is a fit and proper decision, with a possible suspension of 3 to 12 months. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.2

  4. 24. You reach 12 points for minor traffic offences. What does the policy say?

    1. Another written warning
    2. A course at your own cost
    3. A one-month suspension
    4. Revocation or refusal to renew

    Answer: D. Revocation or refusal to renew. At 12 points, the licence will be revoked or a renewal will be refused. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.2

  5. 25. A driver is convicted of using a hand-held phone while driving, for the first time. What will normally happen?

    1. A written warning
    2. A one-month suspension, then a course at the driver’s cost
    3. A course at the driver’s cost
    4. Revocation or refusal, with no new licence for 7 years

    Answer: D. Revocation or refusal, with no new licence for 7 years. This offence raises the risk of an accident. The guideline is revocation or refusal, and normally no new licence for 7 years. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.23

  6. 26. A driver is convicted of drink driving, for the first time. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?

    1. 1 year
    2. 3 years
    3. 7 years
    4. 12 years

    Answer: C. 7 years. It is normally 7 years after the disqualification ends. For a repeat offence, it is 12 years. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.5

  7. 27. A driver is convicted of careless driving a second time. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?

    1. 3 years
    2. 5 years
    3. 7 years
    4. 12 years

    Answer: D. 12 years. Careless driving is a major traffic offence. A repeat offence normally means 12 years after the last disqualification or conviction. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.4

  8. 28. A driver’s standard of driving falls below what is expected, for the first time. What will normally happen?

    1. Suspension until the outcome of a driving assessment
    2. A verbal warning only
    3. Revocation, with a 7-year wait
    4. No action if nobody was hurt

    Answer: A. Suspension until the outcome of a driving assessment. The licence is normally suspended until the outcome of an occupational competence or road risk assessment. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.26

Other offences and breaches10 questions

  1. 29. A private hire driver is convicted of plying for hire, for the first time. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?

    1. 6 months
    2. 1 year
    3. 3 years
    4. 10 years

    Answer: C. 3 years. The licence will normally be revoked or not renewed, with no new licence for 3 years. For a repeat offence, it is 5 years. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.18

  2. 30. A driver breaks a licence condition for the first time. What will normally happen?

    1. A written warning or a suspension of up to 2 months
    2. No action
    3. Revocation, and no new licence for at least 7 years
    4. A fine from the Council

    Answer: A. A written warning or a suspension of up to 2 months. This is the guideline for a first breach, and refusal to renew is also possible. Training at the driver’s own cost can sometimes reduce it. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.20

  3. 31. A driver has broken licence conditions three times. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?

    1. 2 months
    2. 6 months
    3. 3 years
    4. 7 years

    Answer: C. 3 years. Three or more offences will normally mean revocation or refusal to renew, and no new licence for 3 years. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.20

  4. 32. A driver forgets to declare a fixed penalty, for the first time. What will normally happen?

    1. Revocation, and no new licence for at least 3 years
    2. A written warning or a suspension of up to 1 month
    3. No action if it was minor
    4. A 12-month suspension

    Answer: B. A written warning or a suspension of up to 1 month. This is the guideline for a first failure to declare, and refusal to renew is also possible. If the offence itself carries a higher penalty, that higher penalty is likely. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.19

  5. 33. A driver has a first conviction for theft. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?

    1. 1 year
    2. 3 years
    3. 7 years
    4. 12 years

    Answer: C. 7 years. Theft is a dishonesty offence. A first offence normally means 7 years, and a repeat offence 12 years. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.11

  6. 34. A driver has a first conviction for actual bodily harm. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?

    1. 1 year
    2. 3 years
    3. 5 years
    4. 10 years

    Answer: D. 10 years. Actual bodily harm is listed as serious violence. A first offence normally means 10 years. After a repeat offence, a new licence will not normally be granted. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.14

  7. 35. A driver has a first conviction for supplying drugs. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?

    1. 10 years
    2. 5 years
    3. 3 years
    4. 1 year

    Answer: A. 10 years. Dealing, making or supplying drugs normally means no new licence for 10 years after a first offence, and none at all after a repeat offence. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.8

  8. 36. A driver is convicted of refusing to carry an assistance dog. What will normally happen?

    1. A written warning
    2. A one-month suspension
    3. A training course only
    4. Revocation, with no new licence for 7 years

    Answer: D. Revocation, with no new licence for 7 years. Equality Act offences are serious. They normally mean revocation, and no new licence for 7 years after a first instance. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.27

  9. 37. A driver is convicted for smoking in a licensed vehicle, for the first time. What will normally happen?

    1. Nothing, it is a minor matter
    2. Suspension of up to 6 months
    3. Revocation for 7 years
    4. A ban on night work

    Answer: B. Suspension of up to 6 months. A first offence under the Health Act 2006 normally means a suspension of up to 6 months. A repeat normally means revocation. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.24

  10. 38. A driver’s behaviour falls below the expected standard while working outside Solihull. Does the conduct guideline still apply?

    1. Yes, it applies there too
    2. No, only inside the borough
    3. Only if a passenger complains
    4. Only if the police are involved

    Answer: A. Yes, it applies there too. The standard applies at all times, including when drivers work outside Solihull. A first instance normally means a suspension of 3 to 12 months or refusal to renew. Solihull policy 2026, Annex A, 13.25

More Solihull practice

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.