Private hire driver tests compared: formats, pass marks and how to prepare
There is no single national private hire test in England. Each council sets its own requirements, so the format, pass mark and fee depend on which council licenses you. Find your council's official guidance first, then study the documents it names, usually its licence conditions and policy, and practise with questions based on those documents.
Last checked against official sources on .
Every council is different
The Department for Transport counted 263 licensing authorities in England on 1 April 2026. Drivers can also be licensed by an authority outside the area where they mainly work, so check the rules of the council that will issue your licence, not just where you live.
Test formats compared
This table only shows what each council publishes. 'Not published' means we could not confirm it from official sources on our verification date.
(Source: City of Wolverhampton Council (opens in a new tab); Birmingham City Council (opens in a new tab); Sefton Council (opens in a new tab); Leeds City Council (opens in a new tab); City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (opens in a new tab))
| Council | Format | Pass mark | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | 28 multiple-choice questions after a 6-hour course | 75% | £50 course |
| Birmingham | 18 multiple-choice questions in 3 parts | All 6 plying for hire correct; max 2 wrong in each other part | Not published |
| Sefton | 10 questions, handbook allowed | 7 correct | Included in £50 application fee; £10 resit |
| Leeds | Four training modules with tests, plus English and local knowledge tests | 80% per module test | Not published |
| Bradford | Online modular training and assessment, then video interview | Not published | £56 training |
A simple study plan
Councils usually tell you which documents the test is based on. Birmingham says the answers are in its Private Hire Legal Information and licence conditions. Sefton says all answers are in its Licensing Handbook.
- Download the documents your council names and read them once from start to finish.
- Make a list of every time limit (for example 48 hours, 72 hours, 7 days) and who you must tell.
- Learn the plying for hire rules well. Some councils treat these questions as key questions.
- Learn your duties to disabled passengers and assistance dogs under the Equality Act 2010.
- Take a timed practice test, review every wrong answer, then practise your weakest topics.
(Source: Birmingham City Council (opens in a new tab); Sefton Council (opens in a new tab); City of Wolverhampton Council (opens in a new tab))
English requirements
Several councils check English directly. Wolverhampton's course includes a face-to-face English assessment and is only available in English. Leeds requires ESOL Entry 3. Bradford checks your English at a video interview. Translated study help can support your learning, but the official tests above are in English.
(Source: City of Wolverhampton Council (opens in a new tab); Leeds City Council (opens in a new tab); City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (opens in a new tab))
Practise for your council
Sources
We checked these official sources on . Rules can change, so always confirm with the council before you book.
- Taxi and private hire vehicle statistics, England: 2026 . Department for Transport. Published 13 August 2026. Used for: Statistical release, licensing authorities and out-of-area working.
- Taxi knowledge and practical test . City of Wolverhampton Council. Page last updated 29 July 2026. Used for: Private hire licence: training course.
- Guide to driver licensing (DG1.1) . Birmingham City Council. Correct at the time of amendment: April 2022. Used for: Private Hire test (page 7).
- New Drivers (Taxi Licensing) . Sefton Council. Page last updated 25 September 2026. Used for: 9. Knowledge Test.
- Applying for a hackney carriage or private hire driver's licence (includes the driver training policy summary) . Leeds City Council. Used for: Driver training policy; Driver training policy, section 1.
- Driver Modular Training . City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council. Used for: Fee and modules.
- How do I become a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Driver? . City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council. Used for: Stage 4.