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Life in the UK Practice Test 17 (2026) — free, with answers

24 original practice questions in the official Life in the UK Test formats — multiple choice, select TWO, TRUE or FALSE and “which statement is correct”. The real test has 24 questions in 45 minutes with a 75% pass mark (18 of 24). Every answer below includes an explanation. Written from the official study material; no log-in, completely free.

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1. What is the number of the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline?

  1. 0808 2000 247
  2. 0800 092 7600
  3. 0300 200 6565
  4. 0131 348 5000
Show answer

Answer: A — 0808 2000 247

The National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline is available at any time on 0808 2000 247.

2. Where do British rights and essential freedoms have their roots?

  1. Magna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act and the Bill of Rights of 1689
  2. The Human Rights Act 1998 alone
  3. The Act of Union of 1707
  4. The Treaty of Rome
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Answer: A — Magna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act and the Bill of Rights of 1689

British rights grew out of Magna Carta, the Habeas Corpus Act and the Bill of Rights of 1689 and developed over centuries afterwards.

3. What is the name of the system under which an employer takes income tax out of an employee's pay and sends it to HMRC?

  1. Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
  2. Self-assessment
  3. National Insurance Contributions
  4. Statutory deduction relief
Show answer

Answer: A — Pay As You Earn (PAYE)

Most employees have the correct income tax deducted at source by their employer under Pay As You Earn.

4. Which government department collects taxes in the UK?

  1. HM Revenue & Customs
  2. HM Treasury
  3. The Department for Work and Pensions
  4. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Show answer

Answer: A — HM Revenue & Customs

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the department responsible for collecting taxes.

5. How does a self-employed person pay their income tax?

  1. Through self-assessment, by completing a tax return
  2. Through PAYE, deducted by a client
  3. By paying a fixed annual fee to the local council
  4. Through National Insurance Contributions only
Show answer

Answer: A — Through self-assessment, by completing a tax return

Self-employed people pay their own tax through self-assessment, which involves completing a tax return.

6. When are young people in the UK sent a National Insurance number?

  1. Just before their 16th birthday
  2. Just before their 18th birthday
  3. On their 21st birthday
  4. When they first start paid work
Show answer

Answer: A — Just before their 16th birthday

Every young person in the UK receives a National Insurance number shortly before turning 16.

7. What does the money raised from National Insurance Contributions pay for?

  1. State benefits and services such as the state pension and the NHS
  2. The police and the armed forces
  3. Road building and school buildings
  4. Local council refuse collection
Show answer

Answer: A — State benefits and services such as the state pension and the NHS

National Insurance Contributions fund state benefits and services including the state retirement pension and the National Health Service.

8. What allows a non-UK national to start work in the UK before a National Insurance number is issued?

  1. Being able to prove they have the right to work in the UK
  2. Having lived in the UK for at least a year
  3. A letter from a previous employer
  4. Registration with their local council
Show answer

Answer: A — Being able to prove they have the right to work in the UK

You can start work before a number is issued if you can prove your right to work in the UK.

9. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. Income tax is paid on wages, profits from self-employment, pensions and income from property and savings.
  2. Income tax is paid only on wages from paid employment, not on pensions or savings income.
Show answer

Answer: A — Income tax is paid on wages, profits from self-employment, pensions and income from property and savings.

Income tax applies to a wide range of income, not only to wages.

10. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. Employees have their National Insurance Contributions deducted from their pay by their employer.
  2. Employees pay their own National Insurance Contributions directly, while employers pay for the self-employed.
Show answer

Answer: A — Employees have their National Insurance Contributions deducted from their pay by their employer.

Employers deduct contributions for employees, whereas self-employed people pay their own.

11. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? Self-employed people are exempt from paying National Insurance Contributions.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Show answer

Answer: B — FALSE

Almost everyone in paid work, including the self-employed, must pay National Insurance Contributions.

12. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? After applying for a National Insurance number you receive an email giving your application reference number.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Show answer

Answer: A — TRUE

The confirmation email carries the application reference number and says whether further proof of identity is needed.

13. Which TWO of the following may be lost by someone who does not pay enough National Insurance Contributions?

  1. Jobseeker's Allowance
  2. A full state retirement pension
  3. The right to work in the UK
  4. The right to register with a doctor
Show answer

Answer: A and B — Jobseeker's Allowance; A full state retirement pension

Contributory benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance and a full state pension depend on having paid enough contributions.

14. What is the minimum age for driving a car or a motor cycle in the UK?

  1. 17
  2. 16
  3. 18
  4. 21
Show answer

Answer: A — 17

You must be at least 17 to drive a car or motor cycle on UK roads.

15. What is the minimum age for riding a moped in the UK?

  1. 16
  2. 15
  3. 17
  4. 18
Show answer

Answer: A — 16

Mopeds may be ridden from the age of 16, a year earlier than cars and motor cycles.

16. Up to what age can drivers use their driving licence before it must be renewed every three years?

  1. 70
  2. 65
  3. 75
  4. 80
Show answer

Answer: A — 70

A licence runs until the driver is 70, after which it is valid for three years at a time.

17. In Northern Ireland, how long must a newly qualified driver display an 'R' plate after passing the test?

  1. One year
  2. Six months
  3. Two years
  4. Three years
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Answer: A — One year

The 'R' plate marks a restricted driver and must be displayed for one year after passing.

18. For how long may you drive in the UK on a licence issued by another country?

  1. Up to 12 months
  2. Up to three months
  3. Up to six months
  4. Up to three years
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Answer: A — Up to 12 months

A foreign licence can be used for up to 12 months, after which a full UK licence is needed.

19. When does a vehicle first have to be taken for an MOT test?

  1. When it is over three years old
  2. When it is over one year old
  3. When it is over five years old
  4. When it is over ten years old
Show answer

Answer: A — When it is over three years old

Vehicles more than three years old must have an annual MOT test.

20. What must you do if your vehicle is parked off the road and is not being used?

  1. Tell the DVLA by making a Statutory Off Road Notification
  2. Return the registration document to HMRC
  3. Cancel your driving licence
  4. Apply for a lifetime MOT exemption
Show answer

Answer: A — Tell the DVLA by making a Statutory Off Road Notification

A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) tells the DVLA that a vehicle is off the road and unused.

21. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. It is a serious criminal offence to drive without valid motor insurance.
  2. Motor insurance is optional once a vehicle is more than three years old.
Show answer

Answer: A — It is a serious criminal offence to drive without valid motor insurance.

Valid motor insurance is compulsory, and driving without it is a serious criminal offence.

22. Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. Vehicle tax cannot be passed on when a vehicle changes hands.
  2. Vehicle tax automatically transfers to the new owner when a vehicle is sold.
Show answer

Answer: A — Vehicle tax cannot be passed on when a vehicle changes hands.

Annual vehicle tax is paid to the DVLA by the person who keeps the vehicle, and it cannot be passed on when the vehicle changes hands — the same is true of a SORN.

23. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? The UK driving test examines both your knowledge and your practical skills.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
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Answer: A — TRUE

The test covers knowledge as well as practical driving ability before a licence is granted.

24. Is the statement below TRUE or FALSE? A Statutory Off Road Notification can be transferred to the new owner if the vehicle is sold or given away.

  1. TRUE
  2. FALSE
Show answer

Answer: B — FALSE

A SORN cannot be transferred when a vehicle is sold or given away — like annual vehicle tax, it does not pass to the new owner.

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