The local knowledge test explained (for taxi & private hire drivers)

Many UK councils make new taxi and private hire driver applicants sit a local knowledge test before they grant a licence. It's there to prove two things: that you know the area you'll be working in, and that you understand the rules of being a licensed driver. Exactly what's tested varies from council to council, so this guide explains the general picture — and always confirm the detail with your own council.

What does the local knowledge test cover?

While every authority sets its own paper, most local knowledge tests draw on a similar mix of topics:

• Local geography — the location of landmarks, hospitals, railway and bus stations, hotels, schools, sports grounds and tourist spots, the main roads, and the best route between two points.
• Highway Code and road law — the rules of the road as they apply to a professional driver carrying passengers.
• Local licensing rules (byelaws and conditions) — your council's own requirements: what you must and must not do as a licensed driver, lost property procedure, the fare tariff for hackney carriages, and how to handle complaints.
• Safeguarding and disability awareness — some councils include questions on spotting and reporting safeguarding concerns and on assisting disabled passengers.

Local knowledge test vs topographical test

The two overlap and councils don't always use the words the same way. In general:

• A topographical test is specifically about reading maps and a street atlas — grid references, compass directions, working out distances and planning the quickest route.
• A local knowledge test is usually broader: it can include that map and route-planning skill, plus local geography, road law and the council's own rules.

Some councils run them as a single assessment; others keep them separate. Our topographical test guide goes into the map-reading side in more detail.

What format is it, and how is it scored?

Most local knowledge tests are taken in person at the council, on paper or a computer, and are largely multiple choice — sometimes with a short route-planning or map-reading section. You normally need to score above a set pass mark, and if you don't pass first time you can usually re-sit, occasionally for an additional fee. Because the format and pass mark differ by area, check your council's guidance before you book.

How to prepare

You can split your revision into the parts that are the same everywhere and the parts that are unique to your area:

• Road law — practise the Highway Code and road-traffic-law questions that underpin almost every test with our free Highway Code practice.
• Map reading and routes — build the topographical skill with our topographical practice.
• Local geography — this is the bit only you can learn for your area. Spend time with a local A–Z or map app, learn the main roads, landmarks and the quickest routes across town, and drive the routes if you can.
• Council rules — read your council's licensing conditions and fare tariff, which you'll find on your council's page and official site.

See all of our free practice tests to get started.

Do all councils require it?

No. Some councils require a full local knowledge test, some require only a topographical assessment, and a few require neither for private hire (though they may for hackney/taxi drivers). London is a special case — Transport for London uses its SERU assessment and a topographical requirement instead. Because it varies so much, the only reliable source is your licensing authority — start with our how-to-become guide and your council page.