Request ID: FOI-3163-2324 Date published: 21 December 2023
You asked
The SERU assessment was introduced on 1st October 2021 by TFL. From this date new and existing PCO needed to complete the SERU test.
I would like to know how many Private Hire Drivers there are in London
I would like to know how many Private Hire Drivers undertook the SERU assessment between 1st October 2021 – 1st October 2022 (the number and percent)
I would like to know how many Private Hire Drivers who undertook the SERU assessment between 1st October 2021- 1st October 2022, passed the assessment (the number and percent)
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3163-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3rd December 2023 asking for information about the SERU assessment.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“The SERU assessment was introduced on 1st October 2021 by TFL. From this date new and existing PCO needed to complete the SERU test.
I would like to know how many Private Hire Drivers there are in London
I would like to know how many Private Hire Drivers undertook the SERU assessment between 1st October 2021 – 1st October 2022 (the number and percent)
I would like to know how many Private Hire Drivers who undertook the SERU assessment between 1st October 2021- 1st October 2022, passed the assessment (the number and percent)”.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
Our Taxi and Private Hire Notice 01-23 provides an update on the English Language Requirement and Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding Requirement (SERU) for London private hire drivers.
In answer to your first question, as of Sunday 10 December 2023, there are 106,149 licensed private hire drivers. Note that we regularly publish licensing information including the number of licensees on our website.
Between 1 October 2021 – 1 October 2022, 5,201 licensees/applicants undertook the SERU assessment. Of the candidates that took the assessment within this period, 3,612 (69 per cent) passed.
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
