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SERU Glossary

Key terms from the SERU handbook, explained in plain English.

A

Assistance dog Section 8

A dog trained to help a disabled person. PHV drivers must carry assistance dogs at no extra charge unless they hold a valid exemption certificate.

B

Booking record Section 3

The details an operator must record for every private hire booking before the journey starts.

Bus lane Section 6

A lane reserved for buses (and sometimes other permitted vehicles) during the times shown on the signs.

Box junction Section 6

A junction marked with yellow criss-cross lines. You must not enter unless your exit is clear.

C

Congestion Charge Section 6

A daily charge for driving within the central London charging zone during its operating hours.

County lines Section 9

A form of criminal exploitation where gangs use children or vulnerable adults to move drugs or money, often using transport.

D

Disability Section 8

A physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal daily activities.

E

Equality Act 2010 Section 8

The law that protects people from discrimination because of protected characteristics such as disability, race, sex or religion.

Exemption certificate Section 8

A certificate issued on medical grounds that exempts a driver from carrying assistance dogs.

H

Hate crime Section 4

Any crime that the victim or anyone else believes is motivated by hostility based on a person’s identity.

L

Licensed operator Section 1

A business licensed by TfL to accept and dispatch private hire bookings.

P

Plying for hire Section 3

Offering a vehicle for immediate hire without a prior booking. PHV drivers must not ply for hire.

PHV Section 2

Private Hire Vehicle — a vehicle licensed to carry passengers on journeys pre-booked through a licensed operator.

PHV driver’s licence Section 1

The licence that allows a person to drive a private hire vehicle in London.

R

Red route Section 6

A major road in London marked with red lines where stopping restrictions apply.

Ridesharing Section 10

A journey where passengers who have booked separately share the same vehicle for all or part of the trip.

S

Safeguarding Section 9

Protecting children and adults at risk from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

SERU General

Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding — the assessment London PHV driver licence applicants need to pass.

T

Touting Section 3

Approaching members of the public to offer a journey without a booking. It is illegal.

TfL General

Transport for London — the body responsible for licensing private hire drivers, vehicles and operators in London.

U

ULEZ Section 6

Ultra Low Emission Zone — an area where vehicles that don’t meet emission standards must pay a daily charge.

V

Vulnerable road users Section 7

People more at risk on the road, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.

W

Wheelchair accessible vehicle Section 8

A vehicle designed or adapted so a passenger can travel while seated in their wheelchair.

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