Essentials Of Tfl's Seru Training For Pco Licence Holders In London

By Author: James Aaron
Total Articles: 15
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Are you looking to apply for a PCO licence for Uber or private hire taxi driving in London? If you are worried about the expanding eligibility criteria imposed by the new Safety, Equality, and Regularity Understanding (SERU) training and test, don’t be.

Since its implementation in October 2021, over 76,900 applicants have taken the SERU Assessment till the mid-year of 2024, and the pass rate is a standard 73%. That is quite higher than the topographical skill assessment pass rate of about 51%.

So what is the process of SERU assessment for PCO driving licence holders? Are there more tests to add to the existing ones? More English vocabulary and a larger number of questions? More time to wait? It is not as difficult as it looks when you have the proper guidance and preparation. Start with a good understanding of the SERU parameters.

What is the SERU Assessment About?

Transport for London (TfL) has mandated SERU training to improve safety and compassion in London's private hire transport ecosystem for taxi drivers and passengers equally.

Training PCO driving licence holders ...
... to prioritise professionalism and acquire the ability to handle unpredictable situations more calmly will prepare them to enhance service standards across the industry and build strong credibility for themselves. And more importantly, make London a safer city.

Applicants must answer 36 questions on paper along with the updated English Language Requirement (ELR) questions. The questionnaire form is divided into three modules that focus on specific topics of safety, equality and regulation. It goes as follows:

• Safety: In this segment, applicants learn about safety protocols more strategically. Safe driving practices are highly emphasised; other than that, the course also aims at building capabilities for identifying risks, and threats, identifying road hazards, and practicing safety protocols, including the proper way to wear PPE.

• Equality: This segment teaches learners about different legal regulations, people's rights, disability rights and social indiscrimination, ensuring an inclusive approach so passengers never face discriminatory experiences.

• Regularity: Participants are trained and assessed to maintain regularity of their professionalism. The parameters of punctuality, clear communication, and prompt customer service are covered in this segment.

English Language Requirement — Why Are Reading and Writing Also Essential?

The SERU assessment did not “replace” the English language requirement (ELR), but broadened it. The language requirement was a big part of the PCO licence application, which involved speaking and listening assessments.

With the SERU assessment in place, it now includes B1 English skills that include speaking, listening, reading and writing. Verbal language skills are important to ensure adequate direct communication with passengers. While the speaking and listening test was created with the notion that it was sufficient to communicate about routes, fares, time, luggage and so on, the SERU assessment pointed out the need for reading and writing skills as well.

This is to enhance drivers' ability to handle a broader range of situations beyond just language proficiency, as per the earlier TfL training and PCO driving licence requirements. Understanding handwritten notes and printed text could help with passenger welfare.

• Verbal Language: This assessment is available both online and offline. You can either go to the TfL office, or PCO licence centre or connect with a TfL interlocutor through the PeopleCert platform over a video or telephone call. All of a 12-15 minute long conversation with the interlocutor is what it takes to assess your B1 English skills.

• Reading and writing assessment (SERU): This is a longer, about 45-minute written test. It is only available on the TfL website. It is a typical test where participants have to write answers on a question paper, which is mostly multiple choice questions.

Make the SERU Training Easier — Connect with a PCO Licence Centre for Help & Support

Are you ready to start your career as a private hire driver in London? It starts with confidence. If you don’t feel confident enough, then consider the help of a PCO licence centre. Get personalised preparatory support to develop the mental makeup to go through the training and assessments of SERU, topographical tests and B1 language assessments. Take this support before you apply for a PCO driving licence for UBER, Bolt or any minicab driving services in London. With better preparation comes better results and surefire success.

Author Bio:

The author writes about TfL’s PCO driving licence laws, SERU assessments and significant regulatory norms about London’s private hire transport industries. Affiliated with a leading PCO licence centre in the city, the author brings you valuable insights and virtual know-how that can be a good resource for those going to apply for a PCO licence for Uber.