Travel & Citizenship

Life in the UK Test: Who Needs It, How to Book and How to Prepare

5 min read

In this guide
  1. Who needs to take the Life in the UK Test?
    1. Who does not need to take it?
  2. What is in the test?
  3. How do you book the test?
  4. Which ID is accepted?
  5. How should you prepare?
  6. Common mistakes to avoid
  7. FAQ
    1. How much does the Life in the UK Test cost?
    2. How many questions are there?
    3. Do I need to take the test if I am over 65?
    4. What do I use as ID if I have an eVisa?
    5. Can I request support on the day?
  8. Key takeaways
  9. Related guides
  10. Sources

Quick answer: The Life in the UK Test has 24 questions on British traditions and customs, lasts 45 minutes and costs £50. You may need it for a British citizenship or settlement application. You book it online at least 3 days ahead, and the name on your booking must exactly match the name on your ID. The official GOV.UK page says you are tested only on the official Guide for New Residents.

For many people building a life in the UK, this test stands between them and settlement or citizenship. It is short, but a booking mistake can cost you a fee and a delay, and the ID rules in particular catch people out. This guide covers the facts that GOV.UK publishes: who needs the test, how to book it, what ID is accepted and how to prepare in a sensible way.

Who needs to take the Life in the UK Test?

GOV.UK says you may need to pass the test if you are applying for British citizenship or for settlement. It advises you to check the application guidance and form to confirm whether it applies to you.

Who does not need to take it?

  • People under 18.
  • People aged 65 or over.
  • People who have passed the test before.
  • People with a long-term physical or mental condition. You must provide an exemption form or a doctor’s letter.

What is in the test?

Detail What GOV.UK says
Questions 24, about British traditions and customs
Time allowed 45 minutes
Fee £50
Source of questions Only the official Guide for New Residents
Test centres Over 30 across the UK

The page does not give the pass mark, so check the official booking service for it before test day.

How do you book the test?

  1. Gather what you need: an email address, a debit or credit card and an accepted form of ID.
  2. Book online through the official service, at least 3 days before the date you want.
  3. Choose a test centre from the 30-plus options.
  4. Request any accommodations, such as equipment or access help, while booking.

If you need help, the Life in the UK Test helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, on 0800 015 4245, or by email at support@lituk.psionline.com.

Which ID is accepted?

This is where most booking problems start. GOV.UK says the name you give when booking must be an exact match with the name on the ID you use. The ID photo must look like you.

Your situation What to use
You have an eVisa A share code from your UKVI account
You do not have an eVisa A valid passport, a valid EU, Swiss, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Norwegian ID card, a valid travel document with a photo (not an emergency travel document), or a biometric residence permit or card

For a residence permit or card, GOV.UK says the test must take place no later than 24 months after its expiry date, or before 31 December 2026, whichever comes first. Check that date against your own document before booking.

If your passport name and your other records do not match, fix that before you book. If your photo is old or unclear, read our guide to why passport photos get rejected.

How should you prepare?

GOV.UK says only information from the official Guide for New Residents is tested, and that you should study it. It is available as a book, eBook or audio. GOV.UK also lists a Life in the UK Test e-learning subscription and the official practice app, both sold through the official shop.

  1. Use the official guide as your main source. Third-party notes may drift from it.
  2. Read it in sections and write your own short summaries of dates, names and institutions.
  3. Practise with official material before you book, so that you know the style of question.
  4. Book only when you feel ready, since each booking costs £50.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Booking under a name that differs from the name on your ID.
  • Showing up with an expired document or an emergency travel document.
  • Booking less than 3 days before the date you want.
  • Using a website that is not the official booking service. Scammers copy official sites, as we explain in our guide to avoiding visa and job offer scams.
  • Studying from unofficial sources instead of the Guide for New Residents.

FAQ

How much does the Life in the UK Test cost?

£50, according to GOV.UK.

How many questions are there?

24, and you have 45 minutes.

Do I need to take the test if I am over 65?

No. People aged 65 or over do not need to take it.

What do I use as ID if I have an eVisa?

A share code from your UKVI account.

Can I request support on the day?

You can request accommodations, such as equipment or access help, when you book.

Key takeaways

  • 24 questions, 45 minutes, £50.
  • Book online at least 3 days ahead, and match your booking name to your ID exactly.
  • Study the official Guide for New Residents, because nothing else is tested.
  • Check the exemptions and the ID expiry rules before you pay.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Fees, ID rules and exemptions can change, so confirm on GOV.UK before booking. Last updated: October 2026.

Sources

  • GOV.UK: Life in the UK Test
  • GOV.UK: Life in the UK Test, prepare for the test

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