How to Pass SERU Assessment for PCO Drivers in 2025 and Beyond
In This Article, You Will Learn:
- What does ELR check include?
- How does SERU assessment work?
- When will I take the SERU exam?
- What is included in the SERU assessment?
- How to pass the SERU exam?
PCO driving has become a lucrative source of living for many people in London, with leading companies like Uber and Bolt allowing drivers to be in full control of their earnings.
However, to become a PCO driver, there are certain requirements that you must fulfil. One of those requirements is passing the SERU test.
SERU Stands for Safety, Equality, and Regulatory Understanding. Whether you are a new applicant or an experienced driver, you must pass the SERU test to obtain your PCO licence.
As the name suggests, the goal of SERU assessment is to ensure that the drivers know safety rules, equality laws, and their responsibilities on the road. SERU also focuses on treating passengers fairly, no matter who they are.
In 2016, TFL introduced ELR checks for those who wanted to obtain PCO licence in London. ELR stands for English Language Requirement, and SERU is the half part of this check.
What Does ELR Check Include?
The ELR or TFL English Test is split into two halves:
Speaking and Listening Assessment
This part includes a 15-20 minute conversation with an examiner and you must score 60% of the total marks to pass the exam. The test usually happens at TFL offices but is carried out through a video or telephone link, involving a TFL service provider called PeopleCert.
Reading and Writing Assessment
This 45-minute long test focuses on bigger issues such as equality, passenger safety, and TFL regulations through reading and writing assessments.
The two tests are carried out separately but you can take them on the same day. The test locations are TFL offices in Baker Street and West Kensington. The cost of the test is £36 if you are taking it for the first time, and £16 if you are appearing for the second time.
If you fail both times, you will have to pay the £36 fee again to be able to sit in the exam.
How Does Seru Assessment Work?
TFL wants that every PCO driver in London can speak, read, and write at least an intermediate standard of English so they can properly interact with the passengers.
According to the old rules, PCO drivers could simply obtain a certificate from one of TFL’s Secure English Language Test (SELT) providers such as Trinity College London and show this as evidence. However, in 2021, TFL made it compulsory for PCO drivers to take actual ELR tests to showcase their understanding of safety, the rights of passengers, and basic TFL regulations.
The new test is called SERU assessment, and every driver must pass it whether new or old.
When Will I Take The SERU Exam?
It depends on when you applied for your PCO licence. Under normal circumstances, here’s how the process works:
- If you applied for a PCO licence after 1 April 2023, you must pass both ELR tests so the licence can be issued.
- If you applied for a PCO licence between 1 Oct 2021 and 1 April 2023, you were supposed to pass both ELR tests by 30 September 2024.
- If you obtained your PCO licence before 1 Oct 2021, you must pass the SERU test by 31 March 2025.
Please remember that drivers who have PCO licences must pass SERU assessment again in the future if there’s a significant change in the regulations. However, it’s highly unlikely to happen.
What Is Included In SERU Assessment?
SERU test is taken on a computer screen and consists of 36 questions split into three parts:
Standard Multiple Choice
This part is fairly simple to handle as it requires you to pick one correct answer from a list.
Short-Passage Multiple Choice
This part requires you to read a paragraph of text and answer two questions based on the information taken from the text.
Pro Tip: Read the text slowly and carefully before answering any question. You should read the text multiple times if you didn’t understand it properly the first time. Remember that the test aims to check your understanding of English as well as PCO knowledge. Therefore, you must let the examiners know that you did your homework.
Sentence-Completion Questions
In this part, you will be provided with a list of incomplete sentences. To answer the questions, you must drag and drop the correct words into the right position. Keep in mind you must drag any wrong words into the pink box meant for incorrect answers before finishing the test. Otherwise, you will not get full marks even if you answered all the questions correctly.
How To Pass the SERU Exam?
Now that you know what is SERU and how it works, let’s look at some tips on how to pass SERU exam:
Read PHV Driver’s Handbook
TFL has created a 52-page PDF for those wanting to appear in the SERU exam. It is divided into 10 sections. Commit to reading one section per day. It only takes 30 minutes to read one section.
Take Notes
When you are reading the PHV drivers’ handbook, make sure to take notes. This is because taking notes helps you memorise better when you are learning something new.
Talk to Experts
Discussing the subject with other people who are learning the same thing helps you understand better. So, whenever you get a chance, talk to someone who is preparing for the SERU text or someone who has already passed it. This will help you find clarity in sections you didn’t fully understand.
Take Mock Tests
Once you feel like you are done with preparations, take a mock test. You can do this online as there are several websites that perform SERU assessments just like the real ones. Doing this will help you get a better understanding of what to expect during the exam.
Helpful Reminder:
If your English isn’t good and you find it difficult to read PHV driver handbook, we suggest you take an English language course first. There are many free English courses available online, so pick one that you feel will help you the most. Be real with yourself as it’s better to take your time than wasting your chances to pass the SERU assessment.
Start Your Career as a Private Hire Driver
Passed Your SERU Assessment? Drive An Uber-Ready PCO Car With Fleeto!
Once you have passed the SERU assessment and obtained your PCO licence, you are one step closer to starting your career as a private hire driver. With Fleeto, this becomes even easier as we have a diverse fleet of Uber-ready cars for those who pass their SERU assessments. So, put your skills to work and start earning as a PCO driver with Fleeto.
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