The forthcoming taxi Knowledge test will put Melbourne's prospective cabbies and some current drivers through a rigorous, three-hour exam in which they must answer 85 per cent of 155 questions correctly to pass.

The driver aptitude test, part of a major overhaul of Victoria's taxi industry by the state government, will begin in May.

A shorter pilot test was launched on Monday, containing 60 multiple-choice questions on geographical knowledge, the road rules and customer service. The test also has a heavy focus on serving passengers with disabilities.

Fairfax Media sat the pilot test, which includes a sample of the questions the full Knowledge test will contain.