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About TfL
SERU Assessment
The Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) requirement, introduced by TfL on 1 October 2021, ensures that Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) drivers fully understand safety, equality, and regulatory standards essential to their role, thereby enhancing public safety and boosting quality of customer service.
TfL SERU
What Does TFL SERU Cover?
Obligations under the PHV (London) Act 1998 and related regulations, plus the Equality Act 2010.
Policies and guidance issued by TfL, including regulatory updates.
Passenger needs, especially those tied to protected characteristics under Equality Act 2010.
Safeguarding: protection of children and adults at risk.
Passenger & driver safety, and road & vehicle safety.
Preparation, Requirements & Format
Based on the PHV Driver’s Handbook, which all applicants should read thoroughly.
TfL’s Online Assessment Guide, with knowledge checks and examples of what to expect.
Assessment is computer-based at TfL offices, consisting of multiple-choice questions plus fill-in-the-sentence or missing-words style items.
Reasonable adjustments are available for those who need them.
Cost: £36 for the assessment; resits cost £16.
Regulatory & Timeline Updates
Since 1 April 2023, all new PHV driver applicants in London must pass both the SERU and the English Language Requirement (ELR) assessments.
Transitional deadlines applied for existing drivers, depending on their group (Groups 1-4) as defined by when they provided evidence or applied.
TfL is currently trialling an open-book format for the SERU assessment (i.e. allowing the Handbook to be referred to during the test) to focus more on real-life scenarios and understanding rather than rote memorization.
1. Purpose of SERU Assessment:
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The SERU assessment ensures that PHV drivers have an appropriate understanding of safety, equality, and regulatory requirements relevant to their role.
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It enhances public safety and improves customer service levels.
2. What Does SERU Cover?
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The assessment covers several areas:
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Drivers’ obligations under the PHV (London) Act 1998, including associated regulations and obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
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Policies and guidance issued by Transport for London (TfL) or other relevant entities.
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Passenger needs related to protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
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Safeguarding (protecting children and adults at risk from harm and abuse).
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Passenger and driver safety.
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Road and vehicle safety.
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3. Preparation and Assessment:
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PHV Driver’s Handbook: The assessment is based on information from the PHV Driver’s Handbook. Applicants should read and familiarize themselves with the Handbook before taking the assessment.
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Online Assessment Guide: TfL provides an online assessment guide covering each section of the Handbook. It includes over 36 knowledge check questions and provides insights into what to expect during the assessment.
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Assessment Format: The SERU assessment is computer-based and takes place at TfL offices. It involves multiple-choice questions and completing sentences by adding missing words.
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Reasonable Adjustments: Applicants receive time to prepare, and reasonable adjustments are made where appropriate.
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Cost: The SERU assessment costs £36, and a resit costs £16.
4. Future Considerations:
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TfL reserves the right to require applicants to retake the SERU assessment if there are significant changes in the regulatory landscape.
For more details and to access resources, you can visit TfL’s official page on SERU requirements. If you’re preparing for the assessment, consider checking out our SERU training and mock tests as well!
Remember, safety and understanding regulations are crucial for providing excellent service as a PHV driver!