SERU Pass Mark and Format: How Many Questions, How Long, and What to Expect

Knowing exactly what you're walking into takes a lot of the pressure off. Here's the SERU assessment at a glance, then what each part actually asks of you.

The short version

• Around 36 questions
• 60% to pass
• Roughly one hour, on a computer
• Open book — the Private Hire Driver's Handbook is available for reference

The three question types

The assessment mixes formats, so it isn't just a matter of spotting the right option:

• Multiple choice — pick the correct answer from a list.
• Sentence completion — finish a statement correctly. These test whether you actually understand a rule, not just recognise it.
• Reading and understanding — read a short passage and answer questions about it. Because SERU also forms part of TfL's English language requirement, these check reading as well as knowledge.

Open book doesn't mean easy

Being allowed the handbook sounds generous, but the clock is the catch. If you have to look up every answer you'll run out of time. The drivers who pass comfortably treat the handbook as a way to double-check a detail, not as the place they learn it. We share how to do that well in our open-book tips.

Aim well above 60%

Sixty percent leaves room for mistakes, but not much. Practise until you're scoring comfortably above it across several different sets — one good score can be luck. Our free SERU practice tests are scored against the real 60% pass mark and explain every answer.

For current details, always check Transport for London's SERU guidance. SeruPass is an independent study app, not a TfL service.