Booking the Life in the UK test
Book on gov.uk, bring the right ID, and know what to do with the result.
Rules and fees checked against gov.uk on 8 November 2026. Page updated 8 November 2026. How we check our guides.
- Where to book
- Only on gov.uk (the official booking service)
- Fee
- £50, paid when you book
- Notice
- At least 3 days ahead; 2 weeks is normal in cities
- Bring
- The same ID you booked with, and proof of your address if asked
Booking is simple but unforgiving: the ID you book with must be the ID you bring, and the name and date of birth must match your immigration record exactly, because the pass notification is matched to your later application by those details. Mistakes here are the commonest reason a pass cannot be used.
How to book
- Create an account on the gov.uk Life in the UK test service. There is no other official booking site. Third-party sites that charge more than £50 are reselling or worse.
- Enter your details exactly as they appear on your ID: name, date of birth, nationality, and your Home Office reference or passport number.
- Choose a test centre and a time. There are around 30 centres, from Aberdeen to Exeter; the service shows the nearest with available slots. You must book at least three days in advance.
- Pay £50 by card. You can cancel or change the booking free of charge up to three days before.
Accepted ID
You must bring one of the following, and it must be the document you entered when booking:
- Your passport (any nationality), valid or expired within the limits the service states.
- A travel document issued by the UK.
- Your biometric residence permit or card, if you still have one and it is in date (most have now been replaced by eVisas).
- A UK photocard driving licence.
- A European Union identity card.
An eVisa on your phone is not an ID document for the test; bring the physical passport. You may also be asked for proof of your postcode (a bank statement, utility bill or council tax bill from the last three months), so bring one.
On the day
Arrive 15 minutes early. Your ID is checked, your photo is taken and you leave your belongings, including your phone and watch, in a locker. You sit at a computer with headphones (the questions can be read aloud) and have 45 minutes. There is a short tutorial first that does not count. When you submit, the result shows on screen and the staff hand you, or email you, a unique reference number. That number is what you enter on your ILR or citizenship form; the Home Office checks it against the test provider's record.
If you fail
You can book again, but not for a date within seven days of the failed test. There is no cap on attempts. You are not told which questions you got wrong, so go back to the handbook chapters you found hardest.
Keeping your pass
The pass never expires, so you can take it years before you need it. Keep the notification email and note the reference number somewhere safe. If you lose it, the booking account you created shows your test history, and the Home Office can also look it up from your details, provided those details match.