How to Book the Life in the UK Test

Where to book

There is one place to book the real test: the government service on GOV.UK.

No other website can book it for you. If a site offers to, it is not the official service.

What you need before you start

• An email address. Your booking confirmation is sent there.
• A debit or credit card. The test costs £50 and you pay when you book.
• An accepted photo ID. You give its details when booking and you must bring the same one on the day.
• Your address. You need the address you live at now.

Use the same name that is on your ID. If the name on your booking does not match your ID, you will not be allowed to sit the test.

Which ID you can use

GOV.UK accepts a short list of photo ID. The main ones are:

• A valid passport.
• A national identity card from an EU country, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway.
• A travel document with your photo on it.
• A biometric residence permit or card.
• An eVisa share code.

Check the full list on GOV.UK before booking, because the accepted documents change over time.

Booking step by step

1. Go to the booking page on GOV.UK.
2. Create an account with your email address.
3. Type your name exactly as it appears on your photo ID.
4. Enter your address and your ID details.
5. Choose a test centre. There are over 30 in the UK.
6. Pick a date at least 3 days from today. You cannot book for tomorrow.
7. Pay the £50 fee by debit or credit card.
8. Check your email for the confirmation and keep it.

Read your confirmation carefully. If your name or ID details are wrong, sort it out before the day rather than at the centre.

Choosing a test centre

There are over 30 test centres in the UK. You choose which one you go to.

Pick one you can reach easily. Arriving late can mean you lose your slot and your £50.

Busy centres in big cities fill up first. If you need a date soon, look at a centre slightly further away as well.

Changing or cancelling

You can get your money back if you cancel at least 3 days before the test. GOV.UK counts that as 72 hours.

Cancel later than that and you lose the £50.

See our page on what the test costs for how the fees add up if you need more than one attempt.

What happens on the day

• Bring the same ID you used to book. Without it you cannot sit the test and you get no refund.
• Staff take your photo at the centre. If you say no, you cannot take the test.
• Do not bring your children or other family. They cannot come in with you.
• You take the test on a computer. 24 questions in 45 minutes.

You find out whether you passed on the same day, at the centre. You are not told your exact score. See the pass mark explained.

If you pass, you get a unique reference number. Keep it safe. You need it for your citizenship or settlement application.

Before you book

Booking is the easy part. Being ready is the part that saves you money.

Practise until you score well above the pass mark, then book. Our guide on how to pass sets out a plan.

Common questions