What to bring to the Life in the UK Test
What to bring to the Life in the UK Test, and the mistakes that cost people their £50. The rules below are taken 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 one thing you must bring: the same original ID
GOV.UK is clear: you must bring the same ID that you used to book the test, and it must be your original ID, not a copy or a screenshot. This is the most important rule on the day. If you booked with your passport, bring that passport. If you booked with an EU national identity card, bring that card. Do not bring a different document, even a perfectly valid one, because it will not match your booking.
If you booked with an eVisa share code, check your booking confirmation and the official guidance carefully before the day so you know exactly what identification the test centre expects from you. If you are unsure, contact the official helpline listed on GOV.UK well before your test date, not on the morning.
Your photo will be taken
GOV.UK says your photo will be taken on the day to confirm your ID. If you refuse to have your photo taken, you will not be able to take the test and you will not get a refund. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, you can contact the helpline in advance with any questions about how identity checks are carried out.
What happens if you get it wrong
GOV.UK states that you will not be able to take the test, and you will not get a refund, if you do not bring the correct ID or if you refuse to have your photo taken. The cancellation guidance also lists situations where you cannot ask for a refund:
- you brought the wrong ID
- you were ill
- you were late
- you did not bring the right documents
- you refused to have your photo taken
Every one of these means paying another £50 and booking again at least three days ahead. A five-minute check the night before avoids all of them.
Who you can bring with you
You cannot bring children or other family members with you to the test centre. Arrange childcare before the day. If a family member is driving you, they will need to wait elsewhere.
Your night-before checklist
- The original ID you booked with, in date, with a photo that looks like you.
- Your booking confirmation, so you know the centre address and time. Printing it or having it ready on your phone is sensible.
- The name on your booking matches your ID exactly. Check middle names and spelling. If they do not match, contact the helpline before the day.
- Your route to the test centre, with time to spare. Being late is one of the reasons GOV.UK lists for not getting a refund.
- Childcare arranged, because children cannot come into the centre.
- Any special arrangements you requested when you booked, such as access help for a disability. Make sure you have the confirmation.
BRP holders: watch the date
If you booked using 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. If your card has expired or is close to these limits, check the guidance before you book, and consider using an eVisa share code or a passport instead.
Arriving at the centre
Plan to arrive early. You will need time for the identity check and for your photo to be taken before the test starts. Follow the instructions of the test centre staff. If something goes wrong on the day, for example the centre cancels your test, GOV.UK says you can ask for a refund within 3 months of the test date.
During the test
You will have 45 minutes to answer 24 questions. Read each question and all the options before you answer. Many questions are designed so that two answers look plausible, and the difference is a single detail. You do not get extra marks for finishing early, so use the time you have to check your answers.
After the test
If you pass, you get a unique reference number. You will need it for your citizenship or settlement application, and the Home Office uses it to check your result. Keep it somewhere safe and make a note of it. If you do not pass, you can rebook as many times as you need, paying each time.
Feeling ready?
The ID rules are easy to follow once you know them. The questions are the part that needs work. Take a few free mock tests in the week before your test so the format feels familiar, and use our study guide to focus on the chapters where you still drop marks. If you have not booked yet, read how to book first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring a photocopy of my passport?
No. GOV.UK says you must bring your original ID, not a copy or screenshot.
Can I use a different ID from the one I booked with?
No. You must bring the same ID you used to book.
What if I forget my ID?
You will not be able to take the test and you will not get a refund. You would need to book and pay again.
Can my children come with me?
No. GOV.UK says you cannot bring children or other family members to the centre.
Will my photo be taken?
Yes. Your photo is taken on the day to confirm your ID. Refusing means you cannot take the test and get no refund.