smSERU Mock

← Home

Free printable sheet

SERU questions and answers: free printable PDF

30 free SERU practice questions with answers, ready to print or save as a PDF. They are original practice questions written from the public PHV Driver’s Handbook, not real assessment questions.

Free SERU Mock 1

Questions

Choose one answer for each question. Three questions from each of the 10 handbook sections. The answer key, with a short reason and the handbook section, starts on a new page at the end.

Section 1: London PHV Driver Licensing

1. An applicant has no restrictions on working in the UK. Which of these is also a basic requirement for a PHV driver's licence?

  1. A degree in transport studies
  2. Ten years' driving experience
  3. A 'fit and proper' check including an enhanced DBS check
  4. Owning a PHV

2. How is a London PHV applicant's English reading and writing level checked?

  1. It is taken from the SERU assessment
  2. With a separate writing test at a college
  3. By an interview with the operator
  4. By a reference from a past employer

3. Where does the handbook say you should keep your PHV driver's licence?

  1. On the dashboard of the car
  2. At home in a safe place
  3. In your wallet at all times
  4. With the operator

Section 2: Licensing Requirements for PHVs

4. You find a long scratch across the licence disc on your PHV's rear windscreen. The scratch makes part of the disc hard to read. What is the position?

  1. You cannot use the vehicle for private hire until the disc is replaced.
  2. You can keep working if the front disc is still perfect.
  3. You can keep working but must tell passengers about it.
  4. You can keep working if you cover the scratch with tape.

5. It is Sunday and you want to use your PHV for a family trip. A friend says to peel off the licence discs first. What should you do?

  1. Remove them carefully and stick them back on Monday.
  2. Remove only the front disc and keep the rear one.
  3. Leave the discs in place; they must not be removed.
  4. Remove them if you tell your operator first.

6. Your PHV has been given an exemption from displaying licence discs. What must the driver do?

  1. Carry the exemption notice at all times while the vehicle is used as a PHV.
  2. Keep the notice at home with the vehicle documents.
  3. Show the notice only if a passenger asks to see it.
  4. Put a note saying "exempt" in the windscreen.

Section 3: Carrying out Private Hire Journeys

7. Who can use TfL's online licence checker to look up licensed drivers, vehicles and operators?

  1. Only licensed PHV drivers.
  2. Only licensed PHV operators.
  3. Only TfL staff and the police.
  4. Anyone, because it is a public register.

8. You are parked in the street outside your operator's office. A man walks up, opens your back door and asks to go to Euston. He has no booking. What must you do?

  1. Take him, because you are right outside your operator's office.
  2. Tell him he cannot travel with you and he must book through an operator.
  3. Take him if he agrees to pay more than the usual fare.
  4. Take him if you call the office to say he is inside.

9. Which of these must your operator record about a booking before the journey starts?

  1. The passenger's payment card number.
  2. The agreed or estimated fare.
  3. The driver's date of birth.
  4. The passenger's nationality.

Section 4: Staying Safe

10. A passenger uses racist words towards you during a journey. How should this behaviour be treated?

  1. As normal behaviour in a busy city.
  2. As a hate crime that TfL urges you to report to the police.
  3. As a private matter between you and the passenger.
  4. As a problem only if you hear it twice.

11. You collect a passenger from a restaurant. What should you do before the journey starts?

  1. Start driving and explain the fare at the end.
  2. Ask them to choose any route they like.
  3. Say nothing so you do not start an argument.
  4. Be clear about the destination, route, likely time and fare.

12. What is a lone worker device used for?

  1. To measure how fast you drive.
  2. To let someone know you need help if you are in danger.
  3. To record the fare at the end of the trip.
  4. To check a passenger's name and age.

Section 5: Driver Behaviour

13. A passenger complains to your operator about your driving. What must the operator do with the complaint?

  1. Keep details of it.
  2. Delete it after one week.
  3. Send it only to the driver.
  4. Wait for the passenger to contact TfL.

14. A passenger is not happy with how an operator dealt with their complaint. What can the passenger do?

  1. Nothing, because the operator's decision is final.
  2. Contact only the driver's family.
  3. Contact TfL or the police directly.
  4. Only complain on the next booking.

15. TfL is investigating a complaint about you and sends a letter asking for your comments. What should you do?

  1. Ignore the letter, because the operator will answer.
  2. Reply only if you think the complaint is true.
  3. Wait to be asked a second time.
  4. Reply to every request, because TfL decides using the information it has.

Section 6: Driving and Parking in London

16. You are driving a PHV on a London road with a bus lane. The main road is slow and the bus lane is empty. What should you do?

  1. Stay out of the bus lane, because PHVs are not allowed to drive in it
  2. Use the bus lane, but only if no bus is in sight
  3. Use the bus lane, because your passenger is in a hurry
  4. Use the bus lane if you drive an electric or hybrid car

17. A PHV driver parks on a taxi rank while waiting for a booking. What could happen?

  1. Nothing, if the rank is quiet
  2. A fine, and TfL could suspend or revoke the driver's licence
  3. A warning from the operator only
  4. A fine, but TfL cannot act

18. You come back to your PHV and there is no ticket on the windscreen. A week later a letter arrives with a PCN. Is it valid?

  1. No, because it was not on the windscreen
  2. No, because you were not given it at the time
  3. Yes, because a camera can catch the offence and the PCN goes to the registered keeper
  4. Yes, but only if you pay within a day

Section 7: Safer Driving

19. Which of these is named in the handbook as a common cause of collisions in London?

  1. Driving with the window open.
  2. Using the horn too often.
  3. Carrying luggage in the boot.
  4. Driving too fast for the conditions.

20. You are driving and your phone rings. It is your operator. What does the handbook say you must do?

  1. Stop safely, park, and turn the engine off before you answer.
  2. Answer on loudspeaker while you keep driving.
  3. Answer quickly if you are in slow traffic.
  4. Hold the phone in one hand, if the road is quiet.

21. You have a 2-year-old child passenger. The correct child car seat is not available. Where can the child travel, according to the handbook?

  1. On the front seat with an adult seat belt.
  2. On a rear seat with an adult seat belt.
  3. In the front seat on the parent's lap.
  4. On a rear seat without a seat belt.

Section 8: Being Aware of Equality and Disability

22. A passenger is waiting at the kerb with a walking stick. What is the best first step?

  1. Ask if they need any help, and wait for them to say yes.
  2. Take their arm and help them into the car straight away.
  3. Stay in the car and let them manage alone.
  4. Ask their friend what help the passenger needs.

23. An older woman travels with her son. She is able to speak for herself. Who should you talk to about the journey?

  1. Talk only to her son, as he is younger.
  2. Talk to the son first, then to her.
  3. Talk directly to the older woman.
  4. Ask the son to tell her what you said.

24. A disabled passenger is slowly getting into your vehicle. What should you do before you start the journey?

  1. Be patient and check they are comfortable with their seatbelt fastened.
  2. Start slowly so they have time to fasten it later.
  3. Ask them to hurry because other bookings are waiting.
  4. Tell them the seatbelt is optional on short trips.

Section 9: Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk

25. Which person is an 'adult at risk'?

  1. Anyone over 65 who travels alone.
  2. Anyone who pays by cash.
  3. Someone over 18 who needs extra care and may not be able to protect themselves.
  4. Anyone who travels late at night.

26. Your operator sends you a booking for a 12-year-old travelling alone. What must you know?

  1. The child's school and class.
  2. The child's favourite music.
  3. The child's parents' phone numbers.
  4. The name of the adult who will meet the child at the end.

27. Who is responsible for keeping children and adults at risk safe?

  1. Only social workers and the police.
  2. Everybody, not just social workers or the police.
  3. Only the child's parents or carers.
  4. Only the passenger's operator.

Section 10: Ridesharing

28. What is ridesharing?

  1. A driver takes one family and shares the fare between them.
  2. Two drivers share one booking and swap halfway.
  3. Friends travel together and split one fare.
  4. Strangers travel together in one vehicle, and each pays their own fare.

29. Two strangers at a bus stop ask to split a ride to Ealing and pay you cash separately. They have no booking. What is correct?

  1. Accept, because they will both pay separate fares.
  2. Accept, if you tell your operator afterwards.
  3. Refuse; all ridesharing journeys must be booked with a licensed London PHV operator.
  4. Accept, if both of them show identification.

30. Your operator starts offering ridesharing bookings. What should you do?

  1. Start taking ridesharing jobs at once without training.
  2. Talk to your operator about ridesharing training, which the operator should provide.
  3. Ask TfL to provide the training for you.
  4. Pay a private company for a ridesharing certificate.

Answer key

1. C · A 'fit and proper' check including an enhanced DBS check
You must be a 'fit and proper' person, which includes an enhanced criminal records check from the DBS.
Handbook: Section 1: London PHV Driver Licensing · Fit and proper, p.6, 11

2. A · It is taken from the SERU assessment
Applicants need at least B1 English. Speaking and listening are tested separately. Reading and writing are derived from the SERU assessment.
Handbook: Section 1: London PHV Driver Licensing · English requirement, p.6

3. B · At home in a safe place
Keep your licence at home in a safe place and give a copy to each licensed operator you work with. The operator holds copies, not the original.
Handbook: Section 1: London PHV Driver Licensing · Keeping your licence, p.7

4. A · You cannot use the vehicle for private hire until the disc is replaced.
A PHV cannot be used for private hire if a disc is badly damaged or its appearance is spoilt. The owner must ask TfL for a replacement. Covering or repairing the disc yourself is not allowed.
Handbook: Section 2: Licensing Requirements for PHVs · damaged discs, p.12

5. C · Leave the discs in place; they must not be removed.
You should not remove the discs even when using the vehicle privately. They have security features, so they are permanently damaged if you try to take them off. Damaged discs mean you cannot work until they are replaced.
Handbook: Section 2: Licensing Requirements for PHVs · do not remove discs, p.12

6. A · Carry the exemption notice at all times while the vehicle is used as a PHV.
In exceptional cases a vehicle may be exempt from showing discs. The driver then has to carry the exemption notice at all times when the vehicle is used as a PHV, so it can be shown if needed.
Handbook: Section 2: Licensing Requirements for PHVs · disc exemption notice, p.12

7. D · Anyone, because it is a public register.
The licence checker is a public register. Drivers, passengers and anyone else can use it to check that a driver, vehicle or operator is licensed.
Handbook: Section 3: Carrying out Private Hire Journeys · Licence checker, p.14

8. B · Tell him he cannot travel with you and he must book through an operator.
A PHV is not a taxi. You must not pick up people from the street unless they have booked through a licensed operator. This includes the street outside your operator's centre.
Handbook: Section 3: Carrying out Private Hire Journeys · A PHV is not a taxi, p.14

9. B · The agreed or estimated fare.
Operators must record the booking date, who it is for, the pick-up time and place, the main destination, the fare or estimate, and the driver and vehicle details.
Handbook: Section 3: Carrying out Private Hire Journeys · Booking details, pp.14-15

10. B · As a hate crime that TfL urges you to report to the police.
Offensive or violent behaviour towards a driver because of race, faith, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity is a hate crime. TfL urges drivers to report it to the police.
Handbook: Section 4: Staying Safe · hate crime, p.18

11. D · Be clear about the destination, route, likely time and fare.
Being clear before the journey about where you are going, the route, how long it will take and the fare helps avoid disagreements. Explaining afterwards is too late.
Handbook: Section 4: Staying Safe · agreeing the journey, p.18

12. B · To let someone know you need help if you are in danger.
TfL says you can carry a lone worker device, or ask your operator for one. It can be used to call for help if a situation becomes dangerous.
Handbook: Section 4: Staying Safe · lone worker devices, p.18, 20

13. A · Keep details of it.
Operators must keep details of all complaints made to them. Deleting a complaint or ignoring it does not meet this rule.
Handbook: Section 5: Driver Behaviour · operators and complaints, p.23

14. C · Contact TfL or the police directly.
Passengers may contact the police or TfL directly, including when they are unhappy with the way the operator handled a complaint. TfL may carry out its own investigation.
Handbook: Section 5: Driver Behaviour · contacting TfL, p.23

15. D · Reply to every request, because TfL decides using the information it has.
If TfL investigates, it gives you the details and asks for your comments. TfL can only decide on the information it receives, so you should respond to all requests.
Handbook: Section 5: Driver Behaviour · responding to TfL, p.23

16. A · Stay out of the bus lane, because PHVs are not allowed to drive in it
A PHV is not a taxi. PHVs may not drive in bus lanes, even when the lane looks empty. Only licensed taxis (and some other vehicles shown on the sign) can use them.
Handbook: Section 6: Driving and Parking in London · Bus lane driving, p.26

17. B · A fine, and TfL could suspend or revoke the driver's licence
Waiting on a taxi rank can lead to a fine and licensing action by TfL, including suspension or revocation of your PHV driver's licence.
Handbook: Section 6: Driving and Parking in London · Taxi rank penalties, p.28

18. C · Yes, because a camera can catch the offence and the PCN goes to the registered keeper
A PCN can be sent to the registered keeper if a camera records the offence. It does not need to be on the windscreen to be valid.
Handbook: Section 6: Driving and Parking in London · PCNs, p.28

19. D · Driving too fast for the conditions.
Most London collisions come from a few easy-to-avoid behaviours: speeding or driving too fast for conditions, dangerous manoeuvres, distraction and breaking the rules of the road.
Handbook: Section 7: Safer Driving · Obey the law, p.31

20. A · Stop safely, park, and turn the engine off before you answer.
If you need to make or answer a call, stop safely, park your vehicle and switch off the engine. Calls distract you and slow your reactions.
Handbook: Section 7: Safer Driving · Concentration, p.31

21. D · On a rear seat without a seat belt.
If the correct child seat is not available, a child can travel only on a rear seat. A child under 3 travels without a seat belt, and a child aged 3 or over wears an adult seat belt.
Handbook: Section 7: Safer Driving · Following traffic laws before a journey, p.32

22. A · Ask if they need any help, and wait for them to say yes.
You should always ask first and wait for the offer to be accepted. Everyone is different, and some people do not want help. Taking hold of someone without asking is not respectful.
Handbook: Section 8: Being Aware of Equality and Disability · p.38 asking about help

23. C · Talk directly to the older woman.
The handbook says to talk directly to the older or disabled person, not the person with them. Speaking to the companion instead can feel disrespectful.
Handbook: Section 8: Being Aware of Equality and Disability · p.38 talking directly

24. A · Be patient and check they are comfortable with their seatbelt fastened.
For safety you should be patient and make sure the passenger is comfortable and wearing their seatbelt before you set off. Rushing someone can cause injury.
Handbook: Section 8: Being Aware of Equality and Disability · p.38 time and seatbelt

25. C · Someone over 18 who needs extra care and may not be able to protect themselves.
An adult at risk is over 18 and needs extra care and support. They may be unable to protect themselves because of age, disability or mental illness. Age alone is not enough.
Handbook: Section 9: Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk · p.43 adult at risk

26. D · The name of the adult who will meet the child at the end.
For an unaccompanied child, make sure the operator knows and that you know who will meet the child at the end of the journey. Your operator should give you that information.
Handbook: Section 9: Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk · p.43 unaccompanied children

27. B · Everybody, not just social workers or the police.
The handbook says safeguarding is everybody's responsibility. A driver may notice something that helps protect someone.
Handbook: Section 9: Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk · p.43 everybody's responsibility

28. D · Strangers travel together in one vehicle, and each pays their own fare.
Ridesharing means strangers travelling together in the same vehicle and each paying a separate fare.
Handbook: Section 10: Ridesharing · Ridesharing, p.46

29. C · Refuse; all ridesharing journeys must be booked with a licensed London PHV operator.
Ridesharing must be booked with a licensed operator. You can only carry out ridesharing bookings you received from one.
Handbook: Section 10: Ridesharing · Ridesharing, p.46

30. B · Talk to your operator about ridesharing training, which the operator should provide.
If you work for an operator who offers ridesharing, ask about training. The handbook says the operator should provide it.
Handbook: Section 10: Ridesharing · Ridesharing, p.46

Want a timed test, scored for you?

SERU Mock 1 has 37 questions in 45 minutes, a score, a chapter breakdown and every answer explained in 5 languages. No sign-up.

Try free SERU Mock 1 Practise by chapter