Independent candidate guide

Brighton & Hove taxi knowledge test: the current process.

Brighton & Hove City Council currently uses separate Brighton and Hove multiple-choice knowledge tests followed by a practical route test. This guide brings the current council process into one readable place without pretending to be official council guidance.

55questions in the Brighton test

70%minimum Brighton pass mark

45 minBrighton time limit

6/8routes required in the route test

Sequence

Brighton first, then Hove, then the route test.

The council says you must pass the Brighton multiple-choice test before moving on to the Hove test. Once both multiple-choice tests are passed, you are invited to the practical route test. The current council guidance also says the Hove Knowledge Test and route test must both be completed within 8 weeks of passing Brighton, otherwise the Brighton test has to be retaken.

Brighton

Road locations, places of interest, safeguarding and licence conditions.

Hove

The council says Hove follows the same formula, focused on Hove roads and places of interest.

Routes

A practical route test after both multiple-choice knowledge tests have been passed.

Brighton multiple choice

What the current Brighton test contains.

Road questions

Questions about the locations of roads within Brighton.

Places of interest

Questions about Brighton places of interest.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding questions form part of the multiple-choice test.

The current Brighton total is 55 questions, with a 45-minute limit and a minimum pass mark of 70%. The council also tells applicants they need to understand the conditions that apply to Hackney Carriage and private hire licences and advises them to read the Blue Handbook.

Hackney Carriage and private hire

One council knowledge process, not two invented courses.

The current council applicant guidance presents the Brighton & Hove knowledge-test process as part of becoming a licensed taxi driver and points applicants to the Blue Handbook covering both Hackney Carriage and private hire. Brighton Taxi Knowledge therefore does not create a deliberately reduced private-hire geography course. Search terms may differ, but the learning architecture stays comprehensive.

If you are deciding what to study first, build Brighton road and place knowledge, learn the safeguarding and licence-condition material that sits alongside it, then move into Hove and practical route work. That mirrors the current council progression while still letting Premium learners study sections in any order on this site.

Brighton knowledge testCurrent format and a practical study approach.Hove knowledge testHow Hove fits after the Brighton pass.Route testEight routes, shortest-distance expectation and timing.SafeguardingExam content, Blue Handbook and separate CSE training.

Verification

Checked against council guidance.

Factual test-process claims on this page were checked on 22 August 2026. Brighton Taxi Knowledge is independent and does not replace the council's own licensing guidance. Requirements can change, so candidates should always check the council source before relying on a deadline, test format or application requirement.

After you submit your application to be a licenced taxi driverBrighton & Hove City Council
Blue handbook for hackney carriage and private hire drivers, vehicles and operators — 6th EditionBrighton & Hove City Council

Next step

Turn the guidance into a study plan.

Use the fixed free sample first, then move into structured Brighton and Hove learning, practice, mocks and route preparation when you are ready.

Try the free sample See 365-day access