What do I need to bring to the Life in the UK Test?

By the Mantlin team · Last reviewed 11 August 2026 · Sources GOV.UK and the official Home Office handbook

Draft, pending final review.

In short

You must bring the same photo ID that you used to book the Life in the UK Test. It has to be your original document, not a copy or a screenshot, and your photo is taken at the centre on the day. GOV.UK does not ask you to bring any proof of address, so accepted photo ID is the one thing you have to have with you.

If you do not bring the correct ID, or you refuse to have your photo taken, you will not be able to sit the test and you will not get a refund. The accepted list is set by the Home Office and can change, so always check the current rules on GOV.UK before your test.

Check this on GOV.UK

What to bring and the accepted forms of ID, on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

What must you bring?

There is really only one thing the test centre requires: the same original photo ID you gave when you booked. Bring that exact document. You do not need a printed booking confirmation or proof of your address, though it never hurts to have your booking details to hand.

Which ID is accepted?

According to GOV.UK, if you do not have an eVisa you can use one of these forms of photo ID to book, and you then bring that same document to the test:

a valid passport
a valid national ID card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway
a valid travel document with a photo (an emergency travel document is not accepted)
a biometric residence permit (BRP) or biometric residence card (BRC). Validity conditions apply, so check the current rules on GOV.UK

If you have an eVisa, you use a share code from your UK Visas and Immigration account to book instead. Whatever you use, it must be a photo document that still looks like you. If none of these fits your situation, GOV.UK explains how to contact the Home Office for help.

Does your name need to match your ID?

The name you give when you book must be an exact match with the name on your ID, and you must bring that same document on the day. A mismatch, or bringing a different document, is one of the most common reasons people are turned away. If your details have changed, check what to do on GOV.UK well before your test.

What happens on the day?

Arrive early so a delay does not cost you your slot, and have your ID ready. Your photo is taken at the centre to confirm who you are, and then the test itself is 24 questions in 45 minutes. You can read more in how many questions are on the test and how long is it.

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Not affiliated with the Home Office or UK Government. This is an independent study tool and does not provide the official Life in the UK Test. The official test can only be booked and taken through GOV.UK.