The PHV Driver's Handbook, section by section

SERU questions come from TfL's PHV Driver's Handbook. Here is what each section covers, in plain English, with free practice questions for every section.

What the handbook is

PHV Driver's Handbook v1.0 (TfL, Sep 2021). 52 pages: 10 sections and a glossary.
It is free from TfL. TfL also has an audio version and a video guide for each section.
The test asks about sections 1 to 10. The glossary is not tested, but it helps you read the questions.
Passing SERU also counts as the reading and writing part of TfL's English language requirement.

We link to TfL's PDF and never host it. Our summaries are in our own words. Checked 3 Nov 2026.

The 10 sections

Section 1 · pages 6–11

London PHV driver licensing

Who can get a London PHV driver's licence, your badge, medicals, and what you must report to TfL.

Section 2 · pages 12–13

Licensing requirements for PHVS

Vehicle licences and licence discs, hire or reward insurance, reporting collisions and safety letters.

Section 3 · pages 14–17

Carrying out private hire journeys

Bookings, why a PHV is not a taxi, late night venues, airports, fares, lost property and refusing a job.

Section 4 · pages 18–22

Staying safe

Protecting yourself, warning signs, drunk passengers, calming conflict, reporting attacks and CCTV.

Section 5 · pages 23–25

Driver behaviour

How complaints are handled, respect for passengers, the back seat rule and zero tolerance of sexual behaviour.

Section 6 · pages 26–30

Driving and parking in London

Bus lanes, taxi ranks, where you may stop, PCNs, the Congestion Charge, ULEZ and red routes.

Section 7 · pages 31–37

Safer driving

Speed, phones, alcohol, seatbelts and child seats, cyclists, windscreen devices and daily vehicle checks.

Section 8 · pages 38–42

Being aware of equality and disability

Helping disabled passengers, the Equality Act 2010, wheelchair duties, assistance dogs and exemptions.

Section 9 · pages 43–45

Safeguarding children and adults at risk

Who counts as a child or adult at risk, county lines, warning signs and how and where to report concerns.

Section 10 · pages 46

Ridesharing

What ridesharing is, who can book it, the safety risks and how to keep shared passengers informed.

How to study it in 7 days

Day 1Sections 1 and 2: your licence, your badge and your vehicle.
Day 2Sections 3 and 4: bookings, airports, lost property and staying safe.
Day 3Sections 5 and 6: how to behave, and where you may stop and wait in London.
Day 4Section 7: safer driving, phones, cyclists and your vehicle.
Day 5Sections 8, 9 and 10: equality, assistance dogs, safeguarding and ridesharing.
Day 6Take a practice test with the timer. Read every explanation.
Day 7Go back to your two weakest sections and do their questions again.