TfL PHV SERU — 2026 Full Assessment Guide

Test format, question types, mark scheme and a clear strategy to pass the SERU assessment first time.

What is the SERU?

The SERU (Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding) is a mandatory computer-based assessment that all London Taxi and PHV drivers must pass to be granted or to keep their TfL licence. It tests your ability to use the PHV Driver Handbook and your general English reading ability.

Duration
60 minutes
Questions
36 total
Pass mark
60%

Key facts

  • Open-book — TfL provide a paper copy of the handbook in the test.
  • Taken at a TfL assessment centre. No pen, paper or phone allowed.
  • Cost: £36 first attempt, £16 per resit.
  • Results usually issued within 15 days.
  • New applicants get 3 attempts; existing drivers have no fixed limit if they attend every invitation.
  • You cannot book the test until TfL invite you by letter and email.
Test Format & Question Order

The 36 questions always appear in the same order:

  • Questions 1–12: Fill-in-the-blank (3 blanks each)
  • Questions 13–34: Multiple choice (22 questions)
  • Questions 35–36: Short passage / reading & understanding

Average time per question: 1 minute 40 seconds. Any answers you save are kept even if you run out of time before reaching question 36.

Part 1 — Fill-in-the-Blank (12 questions)

Each question gives you a sentence or short passage from the handbook with exactly 3 blanks. Each blank is a drop-down with 6 options. The question always tells you which section of the handbook the answer is in.

How to answer

  1. Read the section number and turn to that section in the handbook.
  2. Read the first few words of the sentence and find them in the handbook.
  3. Match every blank exactly — do not guess from memory.
  4. Watch for tricky options: singular vs plural, capital letters, similar spellings (e.g. access vs excess, address vs adress).

Most students lose marks here. Worth 2 marks each (24 marks total) — the highest scoring section. Practise these the most.

Part 2 — Multiple Choice (22 questions)

These questions also tell you which section to use. Some have one correct answer, others ask you to select more than one — read carefully.

  • Always check the handbook — do not answer from common sense alone.
  • Eliminate options that are clearly not in the handbook.
  • Worth 1 mark each (22 marks total).
Part 3 — Reading & Understanding (2 questions)

The last two questions are not from the handbook. You are given a short paragraph (often from a TfL notice or policy) and asked one question about it.

Strategy

  1. Read the paragraph carefully — twice if needed.
  2. Read the question and all of the options.
  3. Eliminate options that contradict the paragraph.
  4. Pick the option supported word-for-word by the paragraph.

Worth 2 marks each (4 marks total).

Mark Scheme
Question typeNumberMarks eachTotal
Fill-in-the-blank12224
Multiple choice22122
Reading & understanding224

You need 60% to pass.

Strategy to Pass First Time
  1. Spend most of your study time on the fill-in-the-blank questions — they carry the most marks.
  2. Read the PHV Driver Handbook section by section so you know the layout of every section.
  3. Use the contents page and subheadings to find answers fast.
  4. Never spend more than 2 minutes on a single question — flag it for review and come back later.
  5. Match the handbook word for word — capital letters, plurals and spelling all matter.
  6. Practise full timed mock tests in the same format as the real assessment.
  7. For the last two questions, slow down and re-read the paragraph before choosing an answer.
Most Common Mistakes
  • 1

    Answering from memory instead of the handbook

    The handbook is open in front of you for a reason. Always confirm the wording before selecting an answer.

  • 2

    Ignoring capital letters and plurals

    Many fill-in-the-blank options differ only by a capital letter or an extra 's'. Match the handbook exactly.

  • 3

    Spending too long on one question

    If you can't find the answer within 2 minutes, flag it and move on. Time is your biggest enemy.

  • 4

    Not reading the section number

    Every fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice question tells you the section. Don't waste time searching the whole book.

  • 5

    Picking the 'common sense' answer

    The correct answer is what the handbook says — not what feels right.

  • 6

    Skipping the contents page

    Use the contents and subheadings to jump straight to the right page.

  • 7

    Rushing the last two questions

    Reading-and-understanding questions are worth 2 marks each. Read the paragraph slowly.

  • 8

    Relying only on YouTube videos

    Watching videos is not enough. You need to practise full timed mock tests.

Best Way to Prepare
  • Read the PHV Driver Handbook at least once, section by section.
  • Practise fill-in-the-blank questions until you can find the answer in under 90 seconds.
  • Take full timed mock tests (60 minutes, 36 questions) so the format feels familiar.
  • Review every wrong answer — find the exact wording in the handbook.
  • If you have failed before, focus your next attempt on the question type that lost you the most marks.
Frequently Asked Questions

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