Life in the UK test centres

Test centres at a glance

• More than 30 test centres in the UK
• You choose your centre when you book online
• Welsh at centres in Wales, Scottish Gaelic at centres in Scotland, on request
• Lockers for your phone and other belongings
• Plan to be at the centre for up to 2 hours

How to choose a centre

GOV.UK says there are over 30 test centres in the UK and that you choose where to take your test when you book. You choose your centre and time in the official booking system. We do not publish a list of centres, because the official pages do not publish one either. Check where your centre is and plan your journey before the day.

Taking the test outside the UK

In general, you cannot. Tests outside the UK are only for serving members of the British Armed Forces and their dependants.

Taking the test in Welsh or Scottish Gaelic

The test is in English. At a centre in Wales you can take it in Welsh, and at a centre in Scotland in Scottish Gaelic. To ask for this, select 'Make a booking' in your Life in the UK account and follow PSI's special arrangements process. This option is only available at centres in Wales or Scotland.

Special arrangements and accessibility

If you have a disability or another condition, you can ask for special arrangements, for example extra equipment or help getting into the centre. Ask as early as you can, and before you book wherever possible. When you click 'Make a booking', the first page asks whether you have any specific requirements.

• Easy Access: if you use a wheelchair, choose this option. The centre then provides a height-adjustable desk and makes sure you can move around easily
• On screen, you can change the font size and the background colour
• PSI says a reader and a scribe can be arranged: call the helpline to ask
• From 1 October 2026, headphones are no longer a standard aid. You can only use them as an approved special arrangement, for example because of a disability or a medical condition. You cannot bring your own
• PSI looks at each request on its own. It may ask for supporting evidence, and approval is not guaranteed
• Bring the evidence for your request on the day, for example a letter from your doctor. If it is missing or not enough, you cannot take the test and you do not get a refund
• If you ask late or on the day, PSI may not be able to help in time, and it does not have to give you a refund or a free new date

Privacy at the centre

• There is a security check before the test. If you need privacy for it, speak to the test centre manager on the day
• You can ask for a member of staff of the same gender for the check, if one is available
• If you are worried about having your photo taken, speak to the test centre manager
• If you need extra privacy, PSI can arrange a closed test session for an extra charge. The price is given on request
• If you have changed gender and do not want test centre staff to see your previous gender or name, or for it to show on your test result, email the Home Office before you book. The address is on GOV.UK

What the centre provides, and what it does not

• Lockers to store your phone, watch, other electronic devices, notes and books. You cannot take them into the test room
• A computer to take the test on, with a few practice questions at the start that do not count
• You may make notes during the test, but you hand them to the supervisor before you leave the room
• No childcare and no waiting room for people who are not taking the test, so do not bring children or other family members

Sunday and out-of-hours tests

The official booking site offers tests on Sundays and outside normal centre hours as optional extras, at an extra cost. Sunday tests may not be available at every centre. You never have to buy an extra: a standard test at £50 is all you need. FreeExamPath is independent and not affiliated with the Home Office, PSI or TSO.

Official links

• Book the Life in the UK Test: centres and special requests (GOV.UK)
• What happens at the test (GOV.UK)
• Exemption form for a long-term physical or mental condition (GOV.UK)

Frequently asked questions