PHV or taxi SERU: what is different?
Short answer
Same kind of test, different handbook.
Passing the PHV SERU doesn't count for a taxi licence. You take each one for its own licence.
Side by side
| Fact | PHV | Taxi |
|---|---|---|
| Handbook | PHV Driver's Handbook v1.0 (TfL, Sep 2021) | Taxi Driver Handbook v1 (TfL, 2025) |
| Who takes it | New applicants and renewing drivers | New applicants, and drivers whose licence ends on or after 1 October 2025. Passed once. |
| Questions | 36Reported by candidates, 2026 (older reports: 37) | 36TfL, Notice 06/25 |
| Time | 60 minReported by candidates, 2026 (older reports: 45 min) | 60 minTfL, Notice 06/25 |
| Pass mark | 60%TfL, PHV video 2024 | 60%TfL, Notice 06/25 |
| Open book | Trial from 2024; candidates in 2026 report TfL's copy at the deskTfL, Notice 01/24 | TfL's copy at the desk, no notesTfL, Notice 06/25 |
| Fee | £40Resit £30. TfL, Notice 05/26 | £40Retest £30. TfL, Notice 05/26 |
| Attempts | Normally 3TfL driver policy v6.0 | No limitTfL, Notice 06/25 |
| How you pay | Online, when you book | On the day, by card (no American Express)TfL, Notice 06/25 |
| Results | After marking; no time givenTfL, PHV video 2024 | Within 15 daysTfL, Notice 06/25 |
| PassedOct 2025 – Apr 2026, TfL FOI | 54% | 94% |
Checked 3 Nov 2026. TfL confirms the taxi format in Notice 06/25. For PHV, TfL publishes the pass mark (in its 2024 video), the fee and the question types, but not the number of questions or the time.
What the taxi test adds
- Fares and the taximeter, and card payments
- Taking hails on the street, and when you can refuse a fare
- Taxi ranks, and renting or owning a taxi
Both tests cover equality, safeguarding and safe driving, but the wording in each handbook is different. The taxi handbook marks each part as "you may be tested on this" or not.
Practise for either test
SERU Practice covers both. The free practice test works for both too.
Start the free PHV testStart the free taxi test12 questions each. No sign-up, no card.
Questions
Does the PHV SERU count for a taxi licence?
No. Each test is for its own licence and uses its own handbook.
Do taxi drivers take SERU again at every renewal?
No. Taxi drivers pass it once. It is not taken again at future renewals.
Does SERU Practice cover both?
Yes. SERU Practice covers the PHV and the taxi SERU. The free practice test works for both: choose your test before you start.
Related questions
No sign-up. No card.Free with your account.
Free practice test
12 questions · 20 minutes. Your score, the sections you missed and every answer explained.
Start the free testYour free test
. See what you missed
Your sections and every answer, explained with the handbook page.
See my resultsTake the free test againSERU Practice until
Keep practising
Your next practice test and your mistakes are waiting.
Continue practisingConfirming your payment
You don't need to pay again. This usually takes under a minute.
Check my paymentFull practice test 1 is free too: 36 questions, 60 minutes.
. SERU Practice: launch price £19.99, 90 days access