New Private Hire Vehicle Licence Requirements – SERU Assessment

TfL has introduced a requirement for PHV licenced drivers and applicants to demonstrate an understanding of safety, equality and regulatory matters through the SERU assessment. This requirement applies to both new applicants and current drivers.

We at Uber intend to make this transition as smooth as possible for you. In this pursuit, we are conducting regular in-person sessions at our Green Light Hub and online webinars with SERU experts, to make sure you know what to expect in the assessment and are clear on your next steps.

We have also partnered with training partners to provide tailored training courses and mock tests at a discounted rate: 

• 20% off for in-person training with Russbridge [Discount code: RUSSBER2325] 
• 40% off Seru.co.uk online weekly access course [Discount code: UBER2023]

If you are a PHV driver licence holder or want to apply soon, you would fall into one the following categories:

Category 1

PHV drivers who were licensed prior to 30 September 2021 and did not provide English Language Requirement (ELR) evidence by 30 September 2021

➡️ Action: Need to take ELR and SERU by 30 September 2023

Category 2

PHV drivers who were licensed prior to 30 September 2021 and provided English Language Requirement (ELR) evidence by 30 September 2022

➡️ Action: If ELR was satisfactory, need to take SERU by 31 March 2025. If unsatisfactory, need to take SERU and ELR by 30 September 2024

Category 3

PHV driver licensed after 1st October 2021 or applicants that applied between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2023

➡️ Action: Need to take ELR and SERU by 30 September 2024

Category 4

Applicants who apply on or after 1 April 2023

➡️ Action: Need to take ELR and SERU before getting licence

What you need to do as a driver

1. Check which category you fall into and what is your deadline for completing the assessment
2. If you have submitted the ELR, check if it was approved by TfL
3. Be on the lookout for emails from TfL regarding your test booking
4. Prep for the test using the handbook and assessment guide
5. Undertake the online Safeguarding Awareness training course prior to undertaking the SERU assessment (more information on the introduction of the Safeguarding Awareness course is available in TPH Notice 31/21 and on the Safeguarding awareness webpage)

What you need to do as an applicant

1. If you are a new applicant, we recommend that you consider applying for a licence before 1st April. This would mean that you get an additional 18 months to take the test.
2. Once you have applied for the licence, you should start preparing for the SERU assessment, as per the above action items.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to take the SERU assessment?

  If you are a PHV driver in London, or want to become one, then you need to take the assessment by a particular date, which is determined by which category you fall into.

• How much does the assessment cost?

  £36 when taken for the first time and £16 for a re-sit.

• What should I study?

  The SERU assessment is based on information found in the PHV Driver’s Handbook. Example questions by TfL can be found in the online assessment guide.

• What is the format of the test?

  It is a 45-minute computer based test with multiple-choice questions and completing sentences by adding missing words. The assessment is made up of 37 questions.  18 multiple-choice questions, 17 complete the sentence by adding the missing word questions and 2 reading & understanding questions.

• How can I book the test?

  TfL will be contacting applicants and drivers (via email as per current information available)  to tell them when and where they need to take the test, and drivers will need to confirm their booking. Drivers in the first category (deadline: 30 September 2023) should be on the lookout for emails from TfL.

• What is the ELR?

  ELR is the English Language Requirement, which was introduced on 1 October 2021 for PHV applicants in London. Drivers must satisfy the ELR by taking and passing a new speaking and listening test, and the SERU assessment is used to assess their reading and writing skills.

• Where do I take the test?

  The test will be taken at a TfL office, you will be given the details of their test center after they have invited you and you have accepted a time for your SERU assessment.

• What score is required to pass the assessment?

  60%

• How can Uber support me?

  We at Uber intend to make this transition as smooth as possible for you. In this pursuit, we are conducting regular in-person sessions at our Green Light Hub and online webinars with SERU experts, to make sure you know what to expect in the assessment and are clear on your next steps.

  We have also partnered with training partners to provide tailored training courses and mock tests at a discounted rate: 

  • 20% off for in-person training with Russbridge [Discount code: RUSSBER2325] 
  • 40% off Seru.co.uk online weekly access course [Discount code: UBER2023]