Failed the Wolverhampton private hire test? Resits, costs and what to do next

You can sit the written test three times. Worcestershire County Council, which runs the course for the City of Wolverhampton Council, says that if you fail all three times you must wait twelve months before you can start the process again.

Wolverhampton's own application page says the same thing in a different way: you need to pass within 3 attempts, and then apply for your driver licence within 12 months. If you passed more than 12 months ago, you may need to sit it again.

Sources: Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, About the course)[1]; Apply online for taxi licences (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private Hire Driver Licences (Badge))[2]

The full course with the multiple-choice test costs £50. Worcestershire also offers a cheaper resit of the test only, for £20, but only as your second attempt. You cannot choose the test-only option for your first or third attempt.

Wolverhampton's test page says the £50 is 'payable on each attempt, should you be unsuccessful', and the council's fee table lists both the £50 course and test and a £20 'immediate re-test' for new applicants. Check which option you are booking before you pay.

Sources: Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, Costs)[1]; Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private Hire Driver Training Programme: costs)[3]; Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy (12.06.2026), including licence conditions, Guidelines on Fitness and Propriety, fees and Taxi CCTV Policy (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Fees and charges, items 1.5 and 1.6)[4]

The test has 28 multiple-choice questions and you need 75% correct. As a number, that is 21 correct answers, so you can get no more than 7 wrong. This is our own calculation; the council gives the pass mark as a percentage.

Eight of the 28 are key questions: three on safeguarding, two on plying for hire, two on disability awareness and one on GDPR (data protection). The council does not publish how key questions are marked, so treat these four topics as the ones you cannot afford to get wrong.

The course and test are only in English, with no translation or interpreter. The course also includes a face-to-face English assessment. Worcestershire says that if, in its opinion, your English does not meet the basic standard, you will not be able to take the written test until it does, and no refund is given once you have attended the course.

Sources: Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private hire licence: training course)[3]; Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, About the course; Terms and conditions)[1]

The answers come from Wolverhampton's current licensing policy and private hire driver licence conditions, so study those rather than old question lists. Our guide to Wolverhampton test questions and answers explains what the council has and has not published, and gives answers to common topics from the current conditions.

Spend the most time on the key question topics:

• Safeguarding: read our safeguarding training guide.
• Plying for hire: read what counts as plying for hire and why it is so serious.
• Disability awareness: read your duties to disabled passengers and the rules on assistance dogs.
• Practise reading in English. Wolverhampton's policy says a driver's English must be good enough to understand written documents such as policies and guidance, including those on protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Source: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy (12.06.2026), including licence conditions, Guidelines on Fitness and Propriety, fees and Taxi CCTV Policy (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Guidelines on Fitness and Propriety, paragraph 4.8; Private Hire Driver Licence Conditions)[4]

Private hire courses are booked online through Worcestershire County Council's booking system. Worcestershire's Driver Training team says it cannot book places on private hire courses or change dates for you, so use the online booking.

If you need to cancel, use the link in your booking confirmation email. You only get a full refund if you cancel at least 48 hours before the course starts. If you arrive late you will not be accepted, and you will have to pay again for another date.

Bring your booking confirmation email and photo ID issued by a government, such as a photocard driving licence or passport. Wolverhampton also asks you to bring your original photocard DVLA driving licence and proof of your National Insurance number.

Sources: Taxi driver training (Wolverhampton) (opens in a new tab) (Worcestershire County Council, Booking onto a course; Cancelling your booking; Terms and conditions; Contact)[1]; Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, What do I need to bring with me to my training programme?)[3]

If you sent your private hire licence application before you passed, tell the council you have passed by emailing driver.lic@wolverhampton.gov.uk. If you have not applied yet, you must apply within 12 months of passing.

Our guide on how to get a Wolverhampton private hire badge lists the other documents you need, such as the Group 2 medical, enhanced DBS check and right to work evidence.

Sources: Taxi knowledge and practical test (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private Hire Driver Training Programme)[3]; Apply online for taxi licences (opens in a new tab) (City of Wolverhampton Council, Private Hire Driver Licences (Badge))[2]