Solihull policy and suitability: questions and answers
38 practice questions for the Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council taxi and private hire knowledge test, with answers and explanations at the end.
Free from taxiknowledgetest.co.uk. Not an official council or TfL document: check the current official guidance.
Questions
Applying and renewing
How many questions must you get right to pass the Solihull training course test?
You fail the course test. What can you do?
Who carries out the practical driving assessment you need before applying?
How soon after your enhanced DBS certificate is issued must you join the DBS Update Service?
How recent must your medical certificate be when you apply?
You are 44 and licensed. When is your next medical certificate due, if you have no health conditions?
How long is the DVLA check code valid for?
You want an appointment with the Licensing team. What must you do?
You renew your licence. How many questions must you get right in the refresher training test?
How long before your licence expires should you book your renewal appointment?
How many times may a hackney carriage applicant take the knowledge test?
What score does a hackney carriage applicant need on each part of the knowledge test?
What the Council looks at
How does the Council usually treat a caution?
You tell a licensing panel that you need your licence to support your family. How much weight can this have?
A driver got a speeding conviction in their own car, on a day off. What does the Council say?
Can the Council take spent convictions into account?
An applicant does not declare a conviction on the form. What will normally happen?
The Council asks you to take a drug test at short notice. Who pays?
A new applicant has been charged with an offence and is waiting for trial. What will normally happen to the application?
You no longer want your driver licence. What should you do?
Penalty points and driving offences
You have 2 points on your DVLA licence for a minor traffic offence. What does the policy say will happen?
You have 6 points for minor traffic offences. What does the policy say?
You have 10 points for minor traffic offences. What does the policy say?
You reach 12 points for minor traffic offences. What does the policy say?
A driver is convicted of using a hand-held phone while driving, for the first time. What will normally happen?
A driver is convicted of drink driving, for the first time. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?
A driver is convicted of careless driving a second time. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?
A driver’s standard of driving falls below what is expected, for the first time. What will normally happen?
Other offences and breaches
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?
A driver breaks a licence condition for the first time. What will normally happen?
A driver has broken licence conditions three times. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?
A driver forgets to declare a fixed penalty, for the first time. What will normally happen?
A driver has a first conviction for theft. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?
A driver has a first conviction for actual bodily harm. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?
A driver has a first conviction for supplying drugs. How long will it normally be before a new licence is granted?
A driver is convicted of refusing to carry an assistance dog. What will normally happen?
A driver is convicted for smoking in a licensed vehicle, for the first time. What will normally happen?
A driver’s behaviour falls below the expected standard while working outside Solihull. Does the conduct guideline still apply?
Answers
- C. 36 out of 48. There are 48 questions, 8 on each subject. You must get 36 right, which is 75%.
- 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.
- 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.
- A. Within 30 days. You must subscribe within 30 days of the certificate being issued, so the Council can check your record regularly.
- B. Dated within 1 month. The certificate should be dated within one month when you make your application.
- 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.
- C. 21 days. The code that lets the Council view your driving licence is valid for only 21 days.
- B. Email to book one. The Council does not accept walk-ins. You must email licensing@solihull.gov.uk to book.
- B. 18 out of 24. The refresher test has 24 questions, and you must answer at least 18 correctly.
- B. At least 4 to 6 weeks. The Council strongly advises an appointment at least four to six weeks before the licence expires.
- B. Up to three times. The test may be taken up to three times, and must be passed within 12 months of the application.
- C. 90%. The test has 50 two-point locations and 20 routes, and you need 90% on both parts.
- B. The same as a conviction. You must admit guilt to get a caution, so the Council usually treats it just like a conviction.
- A. It cannot be considered. Money and family troubles play no part. The Council looks only at whether you are safe and suitable.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- A. You do. Medical or drug testing may be required at short notice, at your own expense.
- 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.
- 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.
- A. A written warning kept on file. For 0-3 points, the sanction is a written warning kept on file.
- 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.
- 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.
- D. Revocation or refusal to renew. At 12 points, the licence will be revoked or a renewal will be refused.
- 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.
- C. 7 years. It is normally 7 years after the disqualification ends. For a repeat offence, it is 12 years.
- D. 12 years. Careless driving is a major traffic offence. A repeat offence normally means 12 years after the last disqualification or conviction.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- C. 3 years. Three or more offences will normally mean revocation or refusal to renew, and no new licence for 3 years.
- 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.
- C. 7 years. Theft is a dishonesty offence. A first offence normally means 7 years, and a repeat offence 12 years.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Sources
- Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Handbook (Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2026), version 1.2, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Version 1.2, dated 1 July 2026, the day it came into force; PDF file created 27 July 2026. Checked 1 November 2026. https://www.solihull.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-05/Taxi-Private-Hire-Licensing-Policy.pdf
- Private hire and hackney carriage driver licence guide, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Undated. Checked 1 November 2026. https://www.solihull.gov.uk/business/licences/taxi-licensing/private-hire-and-hackney-carriage-driver-licence-guide
- Taxi licensing frequently asked questions, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Undated. Checked 1 November 2026. https://www.solihull.gov.uk/business/licences/taxi-licensing/taxi-licensing-frequently-asked-questions