How they work, a simple method to choose the right word, and free practice with answers.
How they work
TfL describes this type as "completing sentences by adding missing words". In the test, each gap has a drop-down list. Every list holds the same 6 words: the 3 right ones and 3 look-alikes, such as careful and carefully. You can't use a word twice. Candidates report 12 of the 36 questions are like this. (TfL videos, 2024 and 2025)
The word-form method
Read the whole sentenceSay it in your head with a gap. What is the sentence about?
Find the word typeAfter "a" or "the" you usually need a noun (licence, passenger). After "must" or "will" you need a verb (stop, report). Before a noun you often need a describing word (safe, valid).
Check the small wordsSingular or plural? "is" or "are"? A word ending in -ly describes how something is done (carefully).
Check the formThe list holds pairs of look-alike words. Often the meaning tells you the pair, and the grammar tells you which word of the pair fits.
Common traps
Look-alike words: licence (noun) and license (verb), advice and advise.
Opposites: "must" and "must not", "allowed" and "not allowed". One small word changes the rule.
Numbers: the list may hold 7, 14 and 21. Learn the exact number for each rule.
Practise: 18 free questions
Tap a word, then tap the space. Then check your answer.
0 of 18 answered
Question 1 of 18Fill in 3 spaces
Tap a word, then tap the space.
When you move, you are by law to tell the DVLA. The address on your PHV driver's should the one on your DVLA licence.
Answer: space 1: required, space 2: licence, space 3: match
When you move, the law says you must tell the DVLA, and it sends you a new driving licence. The address on your PHV driver's licence should match the one on your DVLA licence. (Section 1 · page 9)
Watch outIn British English, 'licence' is the noun and 'license' is the verb.
TfL encourages you to carry proof that you are to drive the vehicle under its hire or reward policy, for example if your holds the policy. You may carry the details or them in the vehicle.
Answer: space 1: insured, space 2: operator, space 3: display
TfL encourages you to carry the details of the vehicle's hire or reward insurance whenever you work. It also encourages you to carry evidence that the policy covers you as a driver, for example when your operator insures the vehicle. You can carry the details or display them in the vehicle. (Section 2 · page 13)
Watch outYou are 'insured' (an adjective), not 'insurance' (a noun). 'Your operator holds' needs one operator, so the singular fits.
Your operator records the date when the customer the booking and, if the journey is on a day, the journey date. It also records the agreed fare or the fare.
Answer: space 1: makes, space 2: different, space 3: estimated
Your operator must record the date the booking is made and, if it is not the same, the date of the journey. The list also includes the agreed fare or the estimated fare. (Section 3 · page 14)
Watch out'Estimated' works like an adjective before 'fare'. 'Estimate' is the noun, as in 'an accurate estimate'.
No passenger may your PHV until you have their booking from your operator. Without a booking, never say or do anything that suggests you are for hire.
Answer: space 1: enter, space 2: received, space 3: available
A PHV is not a taxi. A passenger must not get into your vehicle before your operator has sent you the booking. Without a booking, you must not give any sign or say anything that suggests you are free for hire. (Section 3 · page 14)
Watch outThe order matters: the booking comes first, then the passenger gets in. Don't let anyone wait in your car while a booking is made.
If your passenger changes the destination, asks you to pick up passengers or has more luggage, let your operator know as soon as it is . The operator can then the fare.
Answer: space 1: extra, space 2: safe, space 3: update
If a passenger changes the destination, wants to pick up extra passengers or has extra luggage, let your operator know as soon as it is safe. Your operator can then update the fare or the estimated fare. (Section 3 · page 16)
Watch outDon't agree a new fare yourself. Report the change when it is safe, and the operator updates the fare.
When a passenger turns angry or violent, you have a to tell them you will not this behaviour. If this does not work, and it is safe, you can ask them to .
Answer: space 1: right, space 2: accept, space 3: leave
Angry or violent behaviour at work is never acceptable. You have a right to say you will not accept it. If that fails, and only if it is safe, you can ask the passenger to leave. (Section 4 · page 18, 'Driver safety')
Watch out'Write' sounds like 'right' but means putting words on paper. After 'will not' and 'ask them to' you need the base verb: 'accept', 'leave'.
If a passenger is offensive to you because of your faith, it is a hate crime. advises you to it to the police on 101, or on 999 in an .
Answer: space 1: TfL, space 2: report, space 3: emergency
If someone is offensive or violent to you because of your race, faith, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, it is a hate crime. TfL urges you to report it to the police as soon as you can: call 101, or 999 in an emergency. (Section 4 · page 18, 'Driver safety')
Watch outTfL is written with capital T and L. After 'to' you need the base verb 'report', and after 'an' you need the singular 'emergency'.
TfL or the police will investigate all complaints about sexual behaviour. If they find that you acted in an way towards a passenger, you will your licence.
Answer: space 1: fully, space 2: unsuitable, space 3: lose
TfL takes sexual behaviour towards passengers extremely seriously. TfL or the police will fully investigate every complaint and report and take action. If you are found to have behaved in an unsuitable way towards a passenger, you will lose your licence. (Section 5 · page 24, 'Unacceptable sexual behaviour')
Watch outThe handbook says you 'will' lose your licence, not 'may'. 'Loose' (not tight) is a different word from the verb 'lose'.
Your operator will deal with complaints, but a passenger might contact the police or directly. TfL may then carry out its own .
Answer: space 1: normally, space 2: TfL, space 3: investigation
Complaints usually go to your operator, who normally deals with them. A passenger can also go straight to the police or TfL, or go to TfL if they are unhappy with how the operator handled it. TfL may then carry out its own investigation. (Section 5 · page 23, 'Complaints')
Watch out'Normally' does not mean 'only': TfL and the police can also receive complaints about you. After 'its own' you need a noun, 'investigation'.
Red routes are London's roads, marked with red lines along the . You can pick up or drop off on red lines, but you must not there for your passenger.
Answer: space 1: main, space 2: kerb, space 3: wait
Red routes are London's main roads. They have red lines next to the kerb and, where needed, signs. PHVs can pick up or drop off on single or double red lines, but must not wait where restrictions apply. (Section 6 · page 29, 'Red routes')
Watch outRed routes are busy main roads, so the stopping rules are strict. You may pick up or drop off, but not wait.
and leave a bus lane by the most direct and safe route. Pay attention to cyclists and motorcyclists, and to bus crossing the road.
Answer: space 1: Enter, space 2: careful, space 3: passengers
Go in and out of a bus lane in the most direct and safe way. Cyclists and motorcyclists may use bus lanes, so take care with them. Also watch for pedestrians, and for bus passengers who may be getting off and crossing the road. (Section 6 · page 27, 'Bus lanes and bus stops')
Watch outPHVs may not drive in bus lanes, but cyclists and motorcyclists can. Expect them there.
Check that no oil or brake fluid is onto the ground, and that all are clean and undamaged, with no unapproved signs or .
Answer: space 1: leaking, space 2: windows, space 3: advertising
When you check the outside of the vehicle, make sure no fluids such as oil or brake fluid are leaking onto the ground. Every window must be clean and undamaged, with no signs or adverts that have not been approved. (Section 7 · page 37, 'Outside the vehicle')
Watch outApproved signs are fine; the problem is unapproved signs or advertising. 'All windows are' needs the plural.
TfL will any complaint that a PHV driver has broken the Equality Act. If there is enough and it is in the public interest, TfL will always prosecute, and it may suspend or the licence.
Answer: space 1: investigate, space 2: evidence, space 3: revoke
TfL investigates every complaint that a PHV driver has broken the Equality Act. With enough evidence, and if it is in the public interest, TfL always prosecutes. After a conviction it decides whether you are still suitable, and it may suspend or revoke (take away) your licence. (Section 8 · page 42, 'Complaints')
Watch outA conviction can cost you your licence. After 'will' and 'may' you need base verbs, and 'enough evidence' needs the noun.
Be of children and adults at risk, and care about how they are. to what they tell you, and any concerns to your PHV operator or the police.
Answer: space 1: aware, space 2: Listen, space 3: report
The handbook lists what is important for drivers. Notice when a passenger may be a child or adult at risk, and care about how they are. Then listen, reassure them and report any concerns. (Section 9 · page 44, 'County lines')
Watch out'Be aware of' needs the adjective, and the instructions 'Listen' and 'report' need base verbs.
By law, anyone under 18 is a . Because children find it harder to themselves and they on adults, they are vulnerable to harm and abuse.
Answer: space 1: child, space 2: protect, space 3: depend
According to the law, a child is anyone under 18. All children are vulnerable because of their age: they are less able to protect themselves and rely on adults. An adult at risk is someone over 18 who needs extra care and support. (Section 9 · page 43, 'Who is a child or an adult at risk?')
Watch out14 is the seat belt age in Section 7, and 21 is the minimum age for a PHV licence. For safeguarding, a child is anyone under 18. 'A child' is singular, and 'children … protect' and 'they depend' take verbs without -s.
A passenger may book a rideshare by . If you then a second passenger that the first one did not expect, it could lead to an .
Answer: space 1: mistake, space 2: collect, space 3: argument
Some passengers book a rideshare without meaning to. If you stop for a second passenger and the first one did not expect it, there could be an argument. This is why you should check with each passenger, when you pick them up, that they booked a rideshare. (Section 10 · page 46)
Watch outThe risk is a passenger who did not realise the trip was shared. Check with every passenger at pickup.
Tell each rideshare passenger how many others you will up and the predicted route. Say how the trip should take and what it is likely to .
Answer: space 1: pick, space 2: long, space 3: cost
To reduce problems on a rideshare, explain to each passenger how many others you will collect and which route you expect to take. Also tell them how long the journey is likely to take and what it is likely to cost. (Section 10 · page 46)
Watch outThis is journey information, which is fine to share. Personal details about other passengers are not.
If one passenger learns where another or works, that person could become to crime. So never share one passenger's details with another.
Answer: space 1: lives, space 2: vulnerable, space 3: personal
In a rideshare, passengers who don't know each other travel together. If one learns things like where the other lives or works, their daily routine, or whether they live alone, the other passenger could become vulnerable to crime. That is why you should not share one passenger's personal details with another. (Section 10 · page 46)
Watch outThe worry is what a stranger could learn. Keep each passenger's details private.
You see a sentence with gaps, usually 3. Each gap has a drop-down list with the same 6 words. You pick one word for each gap, and you can't use a word twice. 3 words are not used (TfL videos, 2024 and 2025).
How many fill-in questions are in the SERU test?
Candidates report 12 of the 36 questions, at the start of the test. TfL doesn't publish the split.
Is spelling tested?
You do not type the words. You choose them from the list. But the list has look-alike words, such as careful and carefully, so you need the right form of the word.
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