Current official fees
As of 10 August 2026, TfL states that the topographical assessment costs £40 for the first attempt and £30 for a re-sit. Always re-check TfL before booking because fees and processes can change.
Training cost versus assessment cost
Preparation is separate from the official TfL assessment fee. When comparing training options, focus on whether the method gives you enough active route practice to correct your weaknesses rather than simply choosing the cheapest volume of content.
If you are preparing for a resit
Do not restart from zero. Identify why the first attempt was difficult. If direction and restrictions were the issue, spend more time on short rule-heavy drills. If route choice was the problem, practise planning the corridor before clicking. If plotting accuracy was poor, slow the mouse work down.
Use measurable practice
Keep a record of the mistake type on each attempt. A resit plan should show fewer repeated errors over time, not simply a larger number of completed routes.
Budget for the process, not only the test
The topographical fee is only one part of becoming a London private hire driver. Depending on your circumstances, your application may involve licensing fees, medical and DBS-related costs and other assessments. TfL's private hire driver licensing pages should be used for the current official requirements that apply to you.
When a resit is worth delaying
If your practice still shows the same fundamental direction or connectivity errors, booking the earliest possible resit may not be the best use of the £30 fee. A short focused period of practice can be more valuable than repeating the assessment without changing the preparation method.
Create a resit diagnosis
Write down the three most likely causes of the previous difficulty and assign practice to each one. For example: one-way direction, road-closure detours and final-approach accuracy. Then choose drills that specifically expose those weaknesses rather than repeating random routes.
Where this article mentions current TfL requirements, fees or assessment arrangements, the official sources below take priority if anything changes.
TfL — Topographical assessment ↗PCO Topography separates official licensing facts from independent training advice and dates material that can become outdated.
Read our editorial standards →