Nancy Smith
August 15, 2022 Seru Assessment 0 Comment

If you want to start your career as a PHV driver, you’ll need a PCO and PHV driver’s licence from TfL to ensure you are ready to drive passengers safely around the city. You must pass three tests to apply for the private hire driver’s licence. Two of them are the English language test, also known as English Language Requirement (ELR), to ensure that all private hire drivers can fully understand and speak standard English. In the year 2016, TfL introduced ELR tests to check the speaking, listening and reading abilities of PHV drivers, which must be equal to the B1 level (intermediate level) on the Common European Framework of Reference. The third is the topographical test to ensure that every private hire driver has basic knowledge of London’s geography. This blog discusses ELR and SERU assessments and other changes made by TfL in the assessments.

In October 2021, TfL made a few amendments to the PHV driver’s licence requirements. The overall standard of the ELR test remains similar, but now it’s not as lenient as it was earlier. Individuals applying for the licence will need to pass the tests instead of providing documents such as certificates.

Key Changes in PHV Driver Licence Requirements

From 1st October, the following changes are implemented for both, the applicants for new and renewal PHV drivers:

  • The introduction of a SERU assessment as a requirement for the licence.
  • A change in the way of assessment for English Language Requirement (ELR).

According to the amendments recently made by the TfL, from 1st October 2021, ELR assessment is a necessary prerequisite for any individual applying for the following:

  • Applicants for a PCO licence
  • PHV drivers
  • PHC drivers who want to renew their licence

What Do TfL Assessments Include?

The TfL assessments include ELR and SERU assessments:

1. ELR Assessments

ELR assessments are divided into two parts 

a. Speaking And Listening Assessment

To assess if the applicant’s English speaking and listening skills meet the standard, i.e. B1 / intermediate level. For the speaking and listening assessment, you will be required to make a 15-20 minutes conversation with an interlocutor (examiner). It is an individual assessment usually done over a video link.

 The evaluation consists of five sections:

  1. Personal information
  2. Situational role play
  3. Exchanging information about a set of images
  4. Listening and responding assessment
  5. Long turn (a short speech on the topic provided by the examiner)

To pass the speaking and listening test, you must score at least 60%.

b. Reading And Writing Assessment

From 1st October 2021, TfL has modified the way for the reading and writing assessment. To assess the reading and writing skills of new applicants and existing PHV drivers to ensure they meet the standard, TfL will use the SERU assessment.

2. SERU Assessment

In addition to the reading, writing and topographical assessment, as mentioned earlier, on 5th October 2021, TfL announced that the licence applicants must take the SERU assessment as part of their TfL test. SERU assessment is made compulsory for all the new drivers, as well as existing drivers who are applying for the renewal of their licence after 5th October 2021. It is a computer-based assessment in the form of multiple choice questions and incomplete sentences requiring you to add missing words.

The SERU assessment refers to the Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding assessment which is taken to ensure that PHV drivers fully understand safety and regulatory requirements. According to TfL, an appropriate understanding of safety, equality, and relevant regulations are a must for London PHV drivers to ensure public security and improve customer service. SERU assessment encompasses:

  • Driver’s obligations under Private Hire Vehicle (PHV London) Act 1998
  • Relevant regulations and obligations under the Equality Act 2010
  • Policies issued by the TfL or other relevant authorities
  • particular requirements of passengers that may occur due to protected characteristics they might have under the Equality Act 2010
  • Protection of children and adults from abuse or risk of harm
  • Driver and passenger’s safety
  • Road and other vehicle’s safety

How To Prepare For The English Language Test And SERU Assessment?

There’s a general misconception that SERU assessment is just another English language test; that’s not true! To pass the SERU assessment, practice for the English language is not enough; you must read and fully understand the Driver’s handbook provided by the TfL. PHV driver handbook contains everything a driver should be aware of; it is comprised of ten sections in total named as follows:

  1. London PHV Driver Licensing
  2. Licensing Requirements for PHVs
  3. Carrying out Private Hire Journeys
  4. Staying Safe
  5. Driver Behaviour
  6. Driving and Parking in London
  7. Safer Driving
  8. Being Aware of Equality and Disability
  9. Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk
  • Ridesharing

Many SERU assessment training institutes provide online learning guides and SERU assessment mock tests so you can practice on the real questions before the test.

Haward Trainings

We offer high-quality English Language Training and SERU assessment training by experienced trainers. We provide comprehensive study material to help you understand everything better, guide you regarding tests in detail and SERU assessment mock tests help you practice for the exam more efficiently. Enroll for the training now!