FAQ

The Reading Taxi Knowledge Test is part of the licensing process for people applying to become a licensed Hackney Carriage or Private Hire driver in Reading.

Reading Borough Council requires applicants to complete the theory and location tests before submitting their driver licence application. The test assesses local knowledge, licensing requirements and other areas relevant to passenger safety and professional driving.

The Council’s current licensing policy and application pages include the knowledge test among the requirements for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver licences.

The current Reading Borough Council pre-test material covers:

• Reading local knowledge and locations
• Highway Code
• Driver and vehicle conditions
• Licensing requirements
• Disability awareness
• Safeguarding

The exact material depends on whether you are applying for a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire driver licence. Reading Borough Council provides separate 2026 pre-test packs for each.

Reading Taxi Knowledge Prep provides practice questions and learning material for several of these areas.

Based on the current 2026 test format:

• 35 theory questions
• 10 location questions
• 45 questions in total

Current candidate reports indicate pass marks of:

• 30 out of 35 on the theory paper
• 8 out of 10 on the location paper

Both parts need to be passed. The Council determines the form and structure of the test, so these requirements may change. Always check the latest Council information and pre-test material.

Based on the current 2026 test format:

• Theory: 30 out of 35
• Location: 8 out of 10

The difficulty depends on how well you prepare and how familiar you are with Reading and the subjects covered. The test requires more than general driving knowledge: you should prepare for local locations, the Highway Code, licensing requirements, disability awareness and safeguarding.

The location section can require particularly focused preparation. Studying the official Reading Borough Council material and practising questions can help identify areas for further revision.

The app provides practice questions and learning material to help you revise between study sessions.

Develop a good knowledge of important locations throughout Reading and understand where they are in relation to the local road network. The Council’s material has included public buildings, businesses, entertainment venues and other destinations taxi drivers may need to locate.

Practise routes between locations rather than simply memorising individual street names, and use the current pre-test pack for the licence you are applying for.

Build broad knowledge of Reading’s road network, including:

• Major roads and important local routes
• Town-centre streets
• Roads leading to important destinations
• Locations listed in the relevant Council material
• Routes between important locations

Learn where a destination is located as well as which roads connect it to the rest of Reading. The aim is practical local knowledge that helps you navigate passengers to their destinations.

The app also includes Reading-focused local knowledge practice questions and learning material to help you revise roads, destinations and routes.

Combine map study with repeated testing. Try:

• Learning Reading roads by area
• Studying important destinations
• Grouping locations into central, north, south, east and west Reading
• Testing yourself on individual locations
• Practising routes between two destinations
• Revisiting locations you get wrong
• Using practice questions to check your recall

Reading Taxi Knowledge Prep provides Reading-focused practice questions and learning material.

Yes. Highway Code knowledge forms part of the Reading taxi knowledge test material. The Council’s published pre-test material includes a Highway Code section with multiple-choice questions.

The app also includes Highway Code practice questions and learning material to support your revision.

Useful areas to revise include:

• Road signs and road markings
• Speed limits and stopping distances
• Junctions and roundabouts
• Pedestrian crossings
• Parking and waiting restrictions
• Safe following distances
• Motorways and dual carriageways
• Vulnerable road users
• Mobile phones and distracted driving
• General road safety

Use the current official Highway Code when studying. The app also provides Highway Code practice questions and learning material.

Yes. Safeguarding is included in the Reading taxi knowledge test material, and the Council’s pre-test material includes a safeguarding section with multiple-choice questions.

Reading Borough Council also requires safeguarding training before applying for a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire driver licence.

Reading Taxi Knowledge Prep provides safeguarding practice questions and learning material to support your revision. It should be used alongside the Council’s official training and current guidance.

You should understand:

• What safeguarding means and who may be vulnerable
• Signs of abuse or exploitation
• Appropriate professional boundaries
• How to respond to and report concerns
• The importance of passenger safety

Reading Taxi Knowledge Prep includes safeguarding practice questions and learning material to help you revise. Use it alongside Reading Borough Council’s official safeguarding training and current licensing material.

Meet Reading Borough Council’s licensing requirements, complete the required tests and checks, and submit your application with the supporting documents.

For a new Hackney Carriage or Private Hire driver application, the Council requires the theory and location tests, practical test and safeguarding training before you apply. You will also need to meet the Council’s other requirements, including DBS, DVLA, medical, photograph and right-to-work checks and documents.

Requirements, fees and procedures can change, so check the current Reading Borough Council information before applying.

For a new Hackney Carriage or Private Hire driver application, you currently need to complete:

1. The theory and location test
2. The practical driving test
3. Safeguarding training

You must also meet the Council’s DBS, DVLA, medical and right-to-work requirements.

Yes. Reading Taxi Knowledge Prep is an independent study and practice app covering Reading streets and local knowledge, Highway Code, licensing and driver requirements, disability awareness and safeguarding.

It is a preparation tool and not a replacement for official Reading Borough Council test material.

Yes. Reading Taxi Knowledge Prep is available on the Apple App Store for iPhone and provides Reading-focused practice questions and study material.

Download Reading Taxi Knowledge Prep on the App Store

Reading Taxi Knowledge Prep is being made available for Android through Google Play. Availability depends on the current Google Play release.

Coming soon.

The app can be downloaded for free. It includes free content, with additional content available through the Pro Upgrade.

The Pro Upgrade provides additional practice questions and study material covering:

• Reading streets and locations
• Highway Code
• Licensing and driver requirements
• Disability awareness
• Safeguarding
• Practice questions and study guides

No. Reading Taxi Knowledge Prep is an independent study and revision app. It is not operated by, affiliated with or endorsed by Reading Borough Council.