Birmingham — Complete 2026 Knowledge Test Guide
Birmingham City Council Licensing. Focus: Taxi & PHV Law, Vehicle Compliance, Clean Air Zone
The Birmingham knowledge test is a mandatory assessment for all applicants for a Birmingham hackney carriage or private hire driver licence. It tests your understanding of licensing law, driver conduct, safeguarding, equality duties and local topography.
Key facts
- Issued by: Birmingham City Council Licensing.
- Cost: £36 first attempt, £20 retake.
- Attempts: Up to 3 attempts within 6 months.
- Closed book unless otherwise stated by the licensing officer.
- Bring photo ID and your application reference on the day.
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law & Licensing (MCQ) | 15 | 1 mark | Local Government (Misc. Provisions) Act 1976, hackney vs PHV. |
| Vehicle & Safety (MCQ) | 10 | 1 mark | Daily checks, Euro 6 / CAZ compliance, age limits. |
| Equality & Disability (MCQ) | 5 | 1 mark | Equality Act 2010, assistance dogs, wheelchair users. |
| Topography (Birmingham) | 10 | 1 mark | Routes, landmarks, postcodes, motorways. |
You need 80% to pass.
Local Government Act 1976
Hackney carriage vs private hire, plying for hire, pre-booking rules.
Clean Air Zone (CAZ)
Class D zone in central Birmingham. Euro 6 diesel / Euro 4 petrol minimum or daily charge applies.
Vehicle Standards
Max age at first licence, MOT, signage, meter calibration, tinted windows.
Driver Conduct
Refusing fares, route choice, lost property, complaints procedure.
Equality Act 2010
Mandatory carriage of assistance dogs, no surcharge for disability.
Safeguarding
Recognising CSE, reporting routes, lone children policy.
- Read the Birmingham Hackney Carriage & PHV Handbook end-to-end at least once.
- Memorise the CAZ boundary and the Euro 6 / Euro 4 rule — at least 2 questions every sitting.
- Practise topography from city centre out: New Street to Bullring to Spaghetti Junction to Airport.
- Never refuse a guide dog or wheelchair user — this is always the right answer.
- Use the full 60 minutes. Flag and return to anything you cannot answer in 90 seconds.
- 1
Confusing Hackney with PHV rules
Only Hackney carriages can be hailed in the street. PHV must be pre-booked.
- 2
Charging extra for an assistance dog
Illegal under the Equality Act. The answer is always 'no extra charge'.
- 3
Ignoring the Clean Air Zone
Non-compliant vehicles pay a daily charge to operate in the CAZ — not optional.
- 4
Memorising routes from sat-nav only
The exam tests local knowledge of A-roads and landmarks, not turn-by-turn.
- Read the Birmingham council handbook section by section.
- Practise UKPHD's Birmingham mock test in Practice Mode until you score 90%+.
- Switch to Exam Mode (timed, randomised) at least 5 times before your sitting.
- Review every wrong answer — find the rule in the handbook before moving on.
- For topography, drive (or virtually drive) the routes — don't just memorise postcodes.
Ready to practise?
Try the Birmingham mock test in Practice or Exam Mode now.