Is there an age limit for the Life in the UK test?

Is there an age limit for the Life in the UK test?

You do not have to take the test if you are under 18 or aged 65 or over. These two groups are exempt, which means the rule that says "take the test" does not apply to them.

If you are between 18 and 64 and you apply for British citizenship or for settlement (indefinite leave to remain), you must take it, unless another exemption fits your case.

Who has to take the test because of their age?

Adults from 18 to 64 who apply for citizenship or settlement. The test is part of the application.

What does exempt mean?

Exempt means the rule does not apply to you. An exempt person does not sit the test.

Age is only one reason. You can also be exempt for a long-term physical or mental condition. For this you use an exemption form, or a letter from a doctor.

Having passed the test before is another reason. For example, you may have passed for settlement. You then do not take it again for citizenship. The rules name no end date for a pass, so an old pass still counts.

For settlement, the Home Office staff guidance also lists some other groups. Examples are refugees, people with humanitarian protection, victims of domestic violence and some people in the Windrush scheme. Your case may fit one of them.

What should you do if you are not sure?

Do not guess. If you are close to one of the age lines, or if you think another exemption fits you, read the rules for your case on the government page, gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test, before you decide to skip the test.

If you are not exempt, the test costs £50 each time you sit it. You can sit it as many times as you need. So a wrong guess about an exemption can cost you time. It is better to check first.

You can read more about who must sit the test in who has to take the Life in the UK test. If you have passed before, read does a Life in the UK test pass expire.

Do ages matter inside the handbook?

Yes, but for a different reason. The handbook gives several ages in the law, and people mix them up.

You must be 18 to vote, to stand for election as an MP, to buy alcohol in a pub, to enter a betting shop and to play the National Lottery. The voting age was lowered to 18 in 1969.

You must be 17 to drive a car or a motorcycle. You must be 16 to ride a moped.

Here is a simple hook. Eighteen is the "adult" age: vote, stand, drink, bet and play. Then count down by wheels. A moped has two wheels, and it comes first, at 16. Cars and motorcycles come a year later, at 17.

Keep the ages in groups like this and they stay apart. The first chapter of the handbook, on values and principles, covers the rights and duties behind rules like these.

When you are ready to see how you do on all of the handbook, try the free practice test.

Check yourself

• Which two age groups do not have to take the test?
• Can you name two other reasons that can exempt a person?
• Which age goes with a moped, and which goes with a car?