How to book the Life in the UK Test
How to book the Life in the UK Test in 2026: where to book, what it costs, the ID you need, and what happens if you have to cancel. Every rule here comes from the official GOV.UK guidance.
Independent site. We are not the Home Office or the official test provider. Book your real test only on GOV.UK, the official booking service.
The short version
- Book online on the official service at GOV.UK. It is the only official government service for booking the test.
- The test costs £50.
- You must book at least 3 days in advance.
- There are over 30 test centres in the UK, and you choose where to take your test when you book.
- You need an email address, a debit or credit card and an accepted form of ID.
- The name on your booking must be an exact match with the name on the ID you use.
Step 1: check that you need the test
Before you pay anything, check the guidance and application form for the visa, settlement or citizenship application you are making. GOV.UK says that you may need to take the test as part of an application for British citizenship or settlement, and that you should check your application guidance to find out. Some people do not need to take it at all, for example people under 18, people aged 65 or over, and people who have already passed it. Our page on who needs to take the Life in the UK Test explains the exemptions.
Step 2: get your ID ready
The ID you use to book is the ID you must bring on the day, so choose it carefully.
If you have an eVisa (a digital record of your identity and immigration status), GOV.UK says you should use a share code to book. You get the share code by signing in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and viewing your eVisa.
If you do not have an eVisa, or cannot access it, you can use one of these:
- a valid passport
- a valid ID card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway
- a valid travel document with a photo (an emergency travel document cannot be used)
- a biometric residence permit (BRP) or biometric residence card (BRC). GOV.UK says your test must be no later than 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or before 31 December 2026, whichever comes first.
Your ID must have a photo that looks like you. If you do not have any of these documents, GOV.UK says to contact UKVI for help.
A common and expensive mistake is a name that does not match. If your passport shows a middle name, include it. If your ID uses a different spelling from the one you normally use, book with the spelling on the ID. The rule is an exact match.
Step 3: book online
Go to gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test and use the Start now button. You will create an account, enter your details and ID, choose a test centre, choose a date and time at least three days away, and pay the £50 fee by card. Keep the confirmation email.
Be careful of websites that look official and charge more than £50 to book for you. You do not need a third party. The official service is the only one run by the government, and booking yourself takes a few minutes.
Special requests and disabilities
GOV.UK says you can make special requests when you book, for example if you have a disability and need extra equipment or help accessing the test centre. Make the request during booking rather than on the day.
If you have changed gender
If you do not want test centre staff to see your previous gender, or for it to show on your test result, GOV.UK says to email the Home Office sensitive bookings team before you book. The address is on the official booking page.
Step 4: prepare
GOV.UK says you will only be tested on information from the official handbook, Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents. It is available as a book, an eBook or in audio formats. Study the handbook first, then use free practice tests to check yourself. Our study guide suggests a two to four week plan.
Cancelling or rearranging your test
If you cannot attend, you can rearrange or cancel. The key rule is the three-day (72-hour) cut-off:
| What happens | Refund? |
|---|---|
| You cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before the test | Yes, the £50 goes back to the card you booked with |
| You cancel or rearrange within 3 days of the test | No |
| The test centre cancels the test | You can ask for a refund |
| You bring the wrong ID, are ill, are late, did not bring the right documents, or refuse to have your photo taken | No |
To cancel, GOV.UK says to sign in to your Life in the UK account, select "Confirmed tests" and then "Cancel tests". You do not need to contact UKVI. Refund requests must be made within 3 months of the test date.
Getting help with a booking
The official Life in the UK Test Helpline is listed on GOV.UK: email support@lituk.psionline.com or call 0800 015 4245, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. Complaints go to complaints@lituk.psionline.com, also within 3 months of the test date, and GOV.UK says you will get a response within 10 working days.
After you book
Read what to bring on the day and how the test and pass mark work. Then keep practising until you are scoring comfortably above 18 out of 24.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I book the Life in the UK Test?
Only on the official GOV.UK booking service at gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test. It is the only official government service.
How much does it cost to book?
£50 per test.
How far in advance must I book?
At least 3 days before the test.
Can I get a refund if I cancel?
Yes, if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before the test. Cancelling or rearranging within 3 days means no refund.
Can I book with my eVisa?
Yes. GOV.UK says people with an eVisa should use a share code from their UKVI account to book.