Government & Law questions
Use these examples to check whether the topic has stuck. Review why each answer is right or wrong, then start the drill when you are ready to answer without hints.
False
True
Correct answer
Explanation
Drivers holding a licence from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway may use it in the UK for as long as it is valid; all other foreign licences are valid for up to 12 months.
Tax is automatically taken from your earnings by a specialised agency
Automatic tax deduction (PAYE) applies to employees, not to self-employed people.
You don’t need to pay tax
You only needed to pay tax on 50% of your earnings
There is no 50% rule — self-employed people pay tax on all taxable profits.
You need to pay your own tax
Self-employed people pay tax through self-assessment by completing an annual tax return.
Correct answer
Explanation
If you are self-employed, you need to pay your own tax through a system called ‘self-assessment’, which includes completing a tax return.
A contract from your employer
An employment contract is not one of the required documents for a National Insurance number application.
Documents that prove your identity
You must prove who you are when applying for a National Insurance number.
Correct answer
Documents that prove that you have permission to work in the UK
Proof of the right to work in the UK is required alongside identity documents.
Correct answer
A document with your address on it, such as a tenancy agreement
Proof of address is not one of the two specified requirements for an NI number application.
Explanation
To apply for a National Insurance number you need documents that prove your identity and that you have permission to work in the UK.
Valuable gifts
Gifts are not listed as taxable income under UK income-tax rules.
Taxable benefits
Benefits in kind from an employer — such as a company car — are taxable.
Correct answer
Income from property, savings and dividends
Rent, interest and share dividends all count as taxable income.
Correct answer
Profits in self-employment
Self-employed people pay income tax on their business profits.
Correct answer
Explanation
People in the UK have to pay tax on their income, which includes: wages from paid employment, profits from self-employment, taxable benefits, pensions and income from property, savings and dividends.
Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
You must telephone the DWP to arrange a National Insurance number interview.
Correct answer
Contact the NHS
The NHS provides healthcare and is separate from National Insurance number applications.
Ask you employer to get it for you
Employers cannot apply for a National Insurance number on your behalf.
Contact your local MP
MPs are elected representatives — they do not process National Insurance applications.
Explanation
If you have permission to work in the UK, you will need to telephone the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to arrange to get a National Insurance number.
17 years old
You must be at least 17 to drive a car or motorcycle on public roads in the UK.
Correct answer
18 years old
18 is the voting age; the minimum driving age for cars and motorcycles is 17.
21 years old
No such driving age requirement exists; the minimum is 17.
16 years old
16 is the minimum age for riding a moped, not driving a car or motorcycle.
Explanation
In the UK, you must be at least 17 years to drive a car or motorcycle and you must have a driving licence to drive on public roads.
You need a UK driving licence
You may drive on a foreign licence for up to 12 months before needing to convert to a UK licence.
For up to 2 years
Two years is double the permitted period — non-GB licences are valid for only 12 months.
For as long as it is valid
EU, Icelandic, Liechtenstein and Norwegian licences may be used indefinitely, but others are limited to 12 months.
For up to 12 months
A non-GB driving licence may be used in the UK for up to 12 months before a UK licence is required.
Correct answer
Explanation
If you have a licence from another country, you may use it in the UK for up to 12 months.
“Pay As You Earn” (PAYE)
PAYE is the system by which employers deduct tax automatically from employees' wages.
Correct answer
Tax return
A tax return is used for self-assessment, not the automatic PAYE system.
Pension tax
Pension tax refers to tax on pension income — not the automatic deduction system.
Self-assessment
Self-assessment is used by self-employed people — not by employees under PAYE.
Explanation
PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is the system by which employers automatically deduct income tax from employees' wages and pay it to HMRC. Self-employed people use self-assessment instead.
False
Correct answer
True
Explanation
A National Insurance number records your tax and contributions history but does not itself prove that you have the right to work in the UK — separate documentation is required.
Income from savings
Interest earned on savings counts as taxable income in the UK.
Pensions
State and private pensions are subject to income tax in the UK.
Income from property
Rental income from property is taxable in the UK.
Income from expensive gifts
Gifts are not listed as a source of taxable income under UK income tax rules.
Correct answer
Explanation
People in the UK have to pay tax on their income, which includes: wages from paid employment, profits from self-employment, taxable benefits, pensions and income from property, savings and dividends.
No
A non-UK national starting work or self-employment in the UK needs a National Insurance number.
Yes
Non-UK nationals working or setting up as self-employed in the UK need a National Insurance number — though they can start work before obtaining one.
Correct answer
Explanation
True. A non-UK national living in the UK and looking for work, starting work or setting up as self-employed will need a National Insurance number. However, you can start work without one.
At the Ministry of Transport (MOT)
The MOT is a vehicle safety test, not a registration agency — registration is done at the DVLA.
At their Local Council
Local councils do not handle vehicle registration — that is the DVLA's responsibility.
At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
UK residents must register their car or motorcycle at the DVLA.
Correct answer
At the Home Office
The Home Office deals with immigration and security — not vehicle registration.
Explanation
If you are resident in the UK, your car or motor cycle must be registered at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
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