How to Book the Life in the UK Test

Short answer: book through GOV.UK: Book the Life in the UK Test, which GOV.UK describes as the only official government service for booking. The test costs £50, you must book at least 3 days ahead, and you can choose from over 30 test centres. LITUK is a free study guide and cannot book for you. Trying to sign in to an existing booking? See the official booking site and login.

What you need before you start

GOV.UK lists three things: an email address, a debit or credit card, and an accepted form of ID.

• eVisa holders: GOV.UK says to book with a share code from your UK Visas and Immigration account. The official FAQ says the share code must begin with S.
• No eVisa: use a valid passport, a valid ID card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, or a valid photo travel document (not an emergency travel document).
• BRP or BRC: accepted only if your test is no later than 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or before 31 December 2026, whichever comes first.

Enter your name exactly as it appears on that ID. The official service also checks that your nationality matches the document. Each person books separately, and the official service may ask you to verify your ID with an app, or on a computer, as part of registering.

Check that you need the test at all. GOV.UK says you do not need to take it if you are under 18, aged 65 or over, have passed it before, or have a long-term physical or mental condition. Our guide to exemptions has the details.

Step-by-step booking

1. Go to gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test and select Start now.
2. Register for a Life in the UK account, or sign in if you already have one. Enter your details exactly as they appear on your ID.
3. Tell the service about any special requests, such as wheelchair access or other support.
4. Choose a test centre, date and time.
5. Pay the £50 fee by debit or credit card, plus any optional extra you choose.
6. Read the confirmation email. It tells you what time to arrive.

Short-notice, Sunday and other optional extras

The official service sells these extras on top of the £50 fee. They are optional; book further ahead and you will not need them.

Extra	What you get	Extra fee
Super Priority	A slot within 24 hours	£30
Short notice	A slot within the next 24 to 72 hours	£25
Out of hours	A weekday slot outside 10am to 4pm	£25
Sunday test	A Sunday slot, where available	£25

Changing or cancelling your booking

• Moving your test: the official FAQ says you can change the date and time free of charge up to 72 hours before your test.
• Cancelling: GOV.UK says you get the £50 back, to the card you paid with, if you cancel at least 3 days (72 hours) before. Sign in, select “Confirmed tests”, then “Cancel tests”.
• Inside 72 hours: there is no refund. To change the date, you would cancel and pay for a new test.
• Name or date of birth wrong: these cannot be edited after you register. The official service says you need to cancel, create a new account and book again.

Test centres

There are over 30 test centres in the UK, and you choose one when you book. You can take the test in Welsh at a centre in Wales, or in Scottish Gaelic at a centre in Scotland, by asking through the official special arrangements process. Outside the UK, the only option is a centre for serving members of the British Armed Forces and their dependants.

On the day

Bring the same original ID you booked with, or follow the eVisa instructions in your confirmation. Arrive at the time in your confirmation email; the official terms set a minimum of 30 minutes before your appointment unless you are told otherwise. Our guide to what to bring has the full checklist, and test results explains what happens after you finish.

Accessibility and special requests

You can make special requests when you book, for example if you need extra equipment or help accessing the centre. The official service asks for requests before booking wherever possible, by email to specialarrangements@lituk.psionline.com. Bring any supporting evidence, such as a doctor’s letter, on the day.

From 1 October 2026, the official terms say headphones are no longer provided as standard. If you need them because of a disability or health condition, ask through special arrangements.

For any other booking problem, contact the Life in the UK Test Helpline on 0800 015 4245 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm) or at support@lituk.psionline.com.

Avoid unofficial booking sites

Some third-party websites charge more than £50 to book on your behalf. Start from GOV.UK every time, pay only on the official service, and never share your account password or share code with anyone else. Our page on the official booking site lists the warning signs and what to do if you have already paid someone else.

Key Facts

• Book only through gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test; the test costs £50
• You need an email address, a debit or credit card, and accepted ID or an eVisa share code
• Book at least 3 days ahead; paid short-notice slots are optional extras
• Choose from over 30 test centres across the UK
• Change your date free until 72 hours before; cancel 72+ hours ahead for a refund
• Helpline: 0800 015 4245, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm