The Topographical Skills Assessment is part of the licensing process for new London private hire drivers. It tests practical orientation around the capital — map reading, route planning, postcodes, landmarks and crossings — without expecting the encyclopaedic depth of the Knowledge of London required of black-cab drivers.
What's tested
- Reading an A–Z style street atlas.
- Identifying postcode districts (SW1, EC3, E1, etc.).
- Planning sensible routes between two points avoiding restricted roads.
- Recognising major landmarks, stations, airports and bridges.
- Compass direction and using a key/legend correctly.
Format on the day
The assessment is paper-based at a TfL-approved test centre. You'll be given an A–Z style map booklet and an answer sheet. Sections typically include map referencing, postcodes, point-to-point routing and landmark identification.
How to prepare
- Buy or borrow a current London A–Z. Spend an hour a week tracing routes between major points.
- Drill postcodes by zone — North West, West, Central, City, South West, South East, East, North.
- Memorise the order of Thames bridges from west to east and which postcodes they connect.
- Practise routes from each major rail terminus to popular destinations.
- Take our Topographical practice mocks until you score 90%+.
Map skills you'll need
Map reading is a transferable skill. Practise reading scale, finding grid references, using the index to locate a road and choosing the most direct legal route. Watch out for one-way streets, bus-only roads and pedestrianised zones — picking an illegal route is an automatic loss of marks.
Common mistakes
Trusting only sat-nav memory is the biggest. Candidates who only ever drive following turn-by-turn directions struggle the moment a paper map is in front of them. Build the underlying mental map by zooming in and out on a digital map and tracing the same route in a paper book.
Why it matters beyond the test
Strong topographical knowledge keeps you safer and more efficient on the road. You'll spot when sat-nav is sending you down a road closure, you'll choose smarter routes during diversions, and you'll communicate clearly with passengers about ETA and price.
Practise now
Visit the Taxi & Private Hire hub and start with the Topographical practice tests. Combine with London PH regulations and Congestion Charge mocks for full coverage. Related reading: how to become a private hire driver in London.
Disclaimer: UK Test Hub is independent and not affiliated with Transport for London.
