Life in the UK Test cost & how to book

Last reviewed 19 July 2026 · Reviewed by the BritainTest editorial team

The Life in the UK Test costs £50 for each attempt, and you book it yourself on GOV.UK at least 3 days in advance. This guide explains exactly what the fee covers and how to book, step by step, so there are no surprises.

How much does it cost?

The test costs £50 per attempt. You pay it when you book on GOV.UK. If you do not pass, you can book again, but you pay the £50 each time you sit the test. There is no discount for retakes and no limit on the number of attempts, so the cheapest route is to pass first time — take a free practice test before you book to see whether you are ready.

You can read how the test itself works, including the pass mark, in our format and pass mark guide.

What the fee does and does not cover

The £50 covers one sitting of the official test at an approved test centre. That is all it covers. It does not include any study materials, the official handbook, or practice questions, and there are no compulsory extras to add at checkout.

The £50 government fee is also separate from anything you pay to prepare. Practising on BritainTest is optional, and you never pay the test fee to us. If a website asks you to pay more than £50 to "book" the test, you are on the wrong site.

How to book, step by step

You book everything on GOV.UK. The steps are:

1. Go to the official Life in the UK Test page on GOV.UK and start a booking.
2. Create an account or sign in, using an email address you can access.
3. Enter your details exactly as they appear on the ID you will bring.
4. Choose a test centre and a date and time. You must book at least 3 days ahead.
5. Pay the £50 fee by debit or credit card.
6. Save the confirmation. Check the exact ID and documents it asks you to bring.

The screens on GOV.UK can change, so always follow the current steps on the official page rather than a copy elsewhere.

What you need before you book

• An email address you can access, for your account and confirmation.
• A debit or credit card to pay the £50.
• Your name and details exactly as they appear on your ID, so the booking matches.
• An idea of which test centre is easiest for you to reach.

Before your test day

On the day, you must bring the exact ID and proof of address listed in your booking confirmation, and the details must match your booking. If they do not match, you can be turned away, and you lose the £50. Our guide to what to bring has the full list; check your confirmation carefully as soon as you book.

Changing or cancelling your booking

You may be able to change or cancel your appointment if you give enough notice, but the rules and any refund depend on how close you are to the date. Our guide to rescheduling or cancelling covers this. If you miss your slot without cancelling in time, the £50 is not refunded.

Booking checklist

• Book only on GOV.UK, at least 3 days ahead.
• Use your name exactly as it appears on your ID.
• Pay the £50 by card and save the confirmation.
• Read the required ID and documents, and gather them early.
• Arrive early on the day with everything the confirmation lists.

This page explains the cost of the Life in the UK Test and how to book and is for study and preparation only. It is general information, not immigration advice, and does not determine your eligibility for settlement or citizenship. For official rules and any updates, rely on GOV.UK; GOV.UK guidance controls if anything here differs.