How many questions are on the Solihull taxi knowledge test?

There are 48 questions on the Solihull knowledge test — 8 on each of the six subjects covered by the training course. You need 36 correct (75%) to pass.

What is the pass mark for the Solihull PHV test?

You must answer 36 of the 48 questions correctly, which is 75%. Solihull marks the paper on your overall score — there is no separate set of key questions that fails the paper on its own.

How long does the Solihull knowledge test take?

The test is allowed 60 minutes and is sat straight after the training course, which runs for approximately 4 hours with breaks.

Is the Solihull test the same as the Wolverhampton one?

No. Solihull sets 48 questions in 60 minutes with a 36/48 pass mark and no key questions. Wolverhampton sets 28 questions in 45 minutes, needs 21 out of 28, and adds 8 key questions where a single wrong answer fails the whole paper. Passing one does not qualify you for the other.

How to Pass the Solihull PHV Test: 2026 Guide

Q: What happens if I fail the Solihull knowledge test?

Solihull states that you may retake the whole course or just the test, and that a fee will be payable. Results are issued within 5 working days.

This guide explains how to pass the Solihull PHV test — the knowledge test you sit to get a private hire or hackney carriage driver licence from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. It covers the format, the six subjects, the pass mark, how Solihull differs from Wolverhampton, and how to prepare. Everything here is drawn from the council's own published guidance, linked at the bottom of the page.

What is the Solihull knowledge test?

In Solihull the knowledge test is not a standalone exam you book on its own — it comes at the end of a mandatory training course. The course runs for approximately 4 hours (with breaks), and the test follows it with an extra 60 minutes allowed.

The questions are a combination of spoken, written and multiple-choice, so it is worth being able to explain an answer, not just recognise it. Results are issued within 5 working days, and your certificate needs to be less than 12 months old when you apply for your licence.

The Solihull test format

The paper is evenly balanced — there are 48 questions, 8 on each of the six subjects, and you need 36 correct (75%) to pass.

Element	Solihull
Questions	48 (8 per subject)
Time allowed	60 minutes
Pass mark	36 out of 48 (75%)
Key questions	None — the paper is marked on overall score
Format	Spoken, written and multiple-choice
Results	Within 5 working days

What the six subjects cover

The course and the test are built on the same six subjects, and each one carries exactly 8 questions. That even split matters for revision: no single topic can be safely skipped, because each is worth the same as any other.

Safeguarding — including understanding Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) risks and county lines exploitation.
Disability awareness and the Equality Act 2010.
Customer service and communication and language skills.
The Highway Code and road safety.
Vehicle maintenance.
Compliance with legislation, conditions and policy requirements.

How Solihull differs from Wolverhampton

Drivers often assume the two are interchangeable. They are not — the papers are different sizes, different lengths, and marked under different rules. A pass with one council does not qualify you with the other.

	Solihull	Wolverhampton
Questions	48	28
Time	60 minutes	45 minutes
Pass mark	36 out of 48 (75%)	21 out of 28 (75%)
Key questions	None	8 — one wrong answer fails the paper
Subjects	6, evenly weighted	7

The single biggest practical difference is the absence of key questions. In Wolverhampton, one wrong answer in the wrong category fails an otherwise strong paper — see our guide on passing the Wolverhampton PHV test if that is the council you are applying to. In Solihull, every question carries the same weight, so what matters is a consistent spread across all six subjects rather than one perfect category.

How to prepare

Spread your revision evenly. With 8 questions per subject, being strong in four areas and weak in two is exactly how people land just under 36.
Practise under timed conditions. 48 questions in 60 minutes is a comfortable pace if you know the material — the risk is rushing and misreading, not the clock itself.
Be able to explain your answers. Part of the test is spoken, so understanding why an answer is right matters more than memorising the option letter.
Review every mistake. Track which of the six subjects you drop marks in, and revise that subject specifically.

The PHV Prep UK app has a dedicated Solihull mode: it builds mock papers the way Solihull does — 48 questions, 8 from each of the six subjects, marked at 36/48 — and tracks your score by subject so you can see exactly where the marks are going. Download it on the App Store or Google Play.

What if I fail?

Solihull states that if you do not pass, you may retake the whole course or just the test, and that a fee will be payable. The council does not publish that fee on its driver licence guide, so check the current amount with the licensing team before you rebook.

Where to go next

Ready to start the process? Read how to apply for a Solihull PHV licence for the full step-by-step, or see the Solihull PHV test FAQs for quick answers. You can also learn more about the app on the PHV Prep UK page.

Official sources

PHV Prep UK is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with, authorised by, or endorsed by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council or any licensing authority. Always check the council's official guidance for the latest test requirements and fees.