The test day
ID for the Life in the UK Test
Independent site, not a government service. Booking and applications are only on gov.uk.
The same document serves twice: to book, and on the day. Choose it carefully, check its dates, and type your name exactly as it is printed.
Can I still book with my expired BRP?
BRP accepted for that test?
Yes
| Last test date with this BRP | 31 December 2026 |
| 24 months after expiry | 31 December 2026 |
| Fixed end date | 31 December 2026 |
Whichever comes first. With an eVisa, book with a share code instead.
gov.uk says that if you have an eVisa you should book the Life in the UK Test with a share code, generated by signing in to your UK Visas and Immigration account. Without an eVisa, or if you cannot access it, you can use a valid passport, a valid ID card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, a valid travel document with a photo (not an emergency travel document), or a biometric residence permit or card, as long as your test is no later than 24 months after the expiry date printed on it or before 31 December 2026, whichever comes first. The ID must have a photo that looks like you. The name on your booking must match the name on the ID exactly, and on the day you must bring that same original document, not a copy or a screenshot; your photo is also taken. The wrong ID means no test and no refund of the £50. If you have changed gender and do not want staff to see your previous gender, email the Home Office before booking.
Key dates around a booking
That test date
Too soon
| Earliest test date | 5 November 2026 |
| Last day to cancel with a refund | 1 November 2026 |
| Refund claim deadline (centre cancels) | 4 February 2027 |
Questions, dates and fees by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method
The accepted documents, in order of preference
| Document | Conditions on gov.uk |
|---|---|
| eVisa share code | use this if you have an eVisa; get it from your UK Visas and Immigration account |
| Passport | valid |
| National ID card | valid, issued by an EU country, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway |
| Travel document with a photo | valid; an emergency travel document is not accepted |
| BRP or BRC | test no later than 24 months after the printed expiry date, and before 31 December 2026, whichever comes first |
The biometric residence permit rule, worked through
The BRP rule has two limits and the earlier one wins. Take the expiry date printed on the card and add 24 months; compare it with 31 December 2026; your test must fall on or before whichever date comes first. Three examples:
| Expiry printed on BRP | 24 months later | Last possible test date | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2024 | 30 June 2026 | 30 June 2026 | ends 24 months after expiry |
| 31 March 2025 | 31 March 2027 | 31 December 2026 | ends on the fixed date |
| 15 September 2023 | 15 September 2025 | 15 September 2025 | already ended |
The checker at the top of this page does the same for your own card. If the result is "No", book with a share code or a passport instead. Because no BRP is accepted after the fixed end date, an eVisa share code is the safer route for anyone who has one.
The name must match exactly
gov.uk is strict: the name you give when booking must be an exact match with the name on the ID used to book. Copy it letter by letter, with every middle name and in the same order. Do not shorten, anglicise or correct a spelling you think is wrong; the document is the reference. If you have recently changed your name, book with a document that already shows the new one, or keep the old name throughout if that is what your only valid ID shows.
On the day: the same document, in the original
The ID used to book must be the one you bring, as an original. A photo on your phone, a scan or a certified copy will not do. Your photo is taken at the centre to confirm your identity. gov.uk lists both bringing the wrong ID and refusing the photo among the cases where you cannot take the test and receive no refund.
Special situations
Changed gender, including a different name. Email the Home Office's sensitive bookings team before booking if you do not want centre staff to see your previous gender or for it to show on your result.
No accepted document. Contact UK Visas and Immigration for help, as gov.uk advises, before booking anything.
Expiring passport. The documents must be valid. If your passport expires between booking and the test, choose another accepted ID for the booking.
Official sources: the gov.uk Life in the UK Test page (accepted ID), what happens at the test and Guide AN. Booking steps are on our booking page.