Walsall — Complete 2026 Knowledge Test Guide
Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council Licensing. Focus: Fare Mathematics, Vehicle Checks & Scenarios
The Walsall knowledge test is a mandatory assessment for all applicants for a Walsall 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: Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council Licensing.
- Cost: £35 knowledge test fee.
- Attempts: 3 attempts; resit fee applies.
- Closed book unless otherwise stated by the licensing officer.
- Bring photo ID and your application reference on the day.
| Section | Questions | Marks each | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fare maths & change | 10 | 1 mark | Calculating fares, surcharges, giving change, percentage tips. |
| Daily vehicle checks | 8 | 1 mark | Tyres, lights, fluids, brakes, tread depth (1.6mm). |
| Scenario-based safety | 7 | 1 mark | Breakdowns, accidents, lone children, intoxicated passengers. |
| Topography (Walsall) | 5 | 1 mark | Local landmarks, M6, motorway access. |
You need 75% to pass.
Fare Calculation
Tariff 1, 2 & 3 (day/night/holiday). Calculating waiting time, surcharges, and change.
Daily Vehicle Checks
POWDERY: Petrol, Oil, Water, Damage, Electrics, Rubber, You. Minimum tread 1.6mm.
Accident & Breakdown Procedure
Stop safely, hazards on, exchange details, report to police within 24h if injury.
Lost Property
Log it, return to operator/police within 7 days, never keep.
Equality Act
Assistance dogs, wheelchair users, no surcharge.
Safeguarding
CSE indicators, lone children policy, vulnerable passengers.
- Practise mental arithmetic daily: 30% of marks come from maths.
- Learn POWDERY for daily vehicle checks — easy marks every sitting.
- For accident questions, always: stop, hazards, check injuries, exchange details, report.
- Carry a calculator-free practice sheet — the real test does not allow calculators.
- Time yourself — 90 seconds per question maximum.
- 1
Rounding fares incorrectly
Always round to the nearest 10p in the customer's favour unless tariff says otherwise.
- 2
Skipping daily checks
Failure to do daily checks is a licence-revocation matter — the test reflects this.
- 3
Driving on after a minor bump
Any contact with another vehicle or property is a reportable accident.
- 4
Guessing tread depth
Legal minimum is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre.
- Read the Walsall council handbook section by section.
- Practise UKPHD's Walsall 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 Walsall mock test in Practice or Exam Mode now.