About the UK Laws & Rights Quiz
~7 min read · Updated April 2026
Everyone living in the UK — citizen, settled migrant or visa holder — is expected to follow British law and know their basic rights. Many of these rules also appear on the Life in the UK Test, the SIA security exams and most professional licensing tests.
This guide summarises the laws and rights you encounter day to day: at work, when shopping, when stopped by police, and when something goes wrong. Use the practice quiz to check what you've learned.
Equality and human rights
The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone because of nine 'protected characteristics': age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
The Human Rights Act 1998 brings the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. Key rights include the right to life, to a fair trial, to private and family life, and freedom of expression. These apply to everyone in the UK regardless of immigration status.
Employment rights
From day one of work you have the right to a written statement of terms, the National Minimum Wage (£11.44+ for 21 and over in 2024/25, rising annually), protection from unlawful discrimination, and itemised payslips. Statutory sick pay starts after four days off sick.
After two years' continuous service you gain protection from unfair dismissal and the right to statutory redundancy pay. Holiday entitlement is 5.6 weeks per year (28 days for a five-day week, including bank holidays).
Consumer protection
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. You can reject faulty goods for a full refund within 30 days. After that, the seller gets one chance to repair or replace.
Online and distance purchases give you 14 days to change your mind under the Consumer Contracts Regulations — no reason needed. Doorstep sales have the same 14-day cooling-off period.
Criminal vs civil law
Criminal law deals with offences against the state — theft, assault, fraud, driving offences. Cases are brought by the Crown Prosecution Service in the Magistrates' Court (less serious) or Crown Court (jury trial). The standard of proof is 'beyond reasonable doubt'.
Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organisations — contract breaches, debt, family matters, negligence. Cases are heard in the County Court or High Court and the standard is 'balance of probabilities'.
Police powers and your rights
Police can stop and search you under PACE 1984 if they have reasonable grounds to suspect you're carrying stolen or prohibited items. They must tell you their name, station, and the reason for the search, and give you a written record on request.
If arrested you have the right to free legal advice, to have someone informed of your arrest, and to see the codes of practice. You can normally be held for up to 24 hours without charge (96 with magistrates' approval).
Driving, road and motoring law
You must hold a valid licence, valid insurance, MOT (for vehicles over three years old) and pay vehicle tax to drive on UK roads. Driving without insurance is a strict-liability offence: six penalty points, an unlimited fine and possible disqualification.
The drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Scotland is lower at 50mg. Drug-driving uses zero-tolerance limits for illegal drugs. Using a hand-held phone while driving is six points and a £200 fine even when stopped at lights.
New drivers (within two years of passing) lose their licence at six points, not 12. Speed-awareness courses can be offered for low-level speeding instead of points, but only once every three years.
Housing, tenancies and council tax
Most private tenants in England hold an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). Landlords must protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, give you a 'How to Rent' guide, and provide a gas safety certificate, EPC and electrical safety report.
From the Renters' Rights Act 2024–25, Section 21 'no-fault' evictions are being phased out — landlords must now give a specific legal reason to end a tenancy. Tenants must give one month's notice on a periodic tenancy.
Council tax is paid by the occupier (tenant), not the landlord, on most lets. Single occupants get a 25% discount; full-time students are exempt. Non-payment can lead to bailiffs and, ultimately, prison — though prison is rare and reserved for wilful refusal to pay.
Family law and children
Marriage in England and Wales is legal at 18 (raised from 16 in 2023). Civil partnerships are open to same-sex and opposite-sex couples. Divorce since 2022 is no-fault: one party simply states the marriage has irretrievably broken down, with a 20-week reflection period before the conditional order.
Both parents named on a UK birth certificate (registered after December 2003) automatically have parental responsibility. Child maintenance is calculated by the Child Maintenance Service using a formula based on the paying parent's gross income.
It's illegal to smack a child in Scotland and Wales. In England and Northern Ireland, 'reasonable chastisement' remains a defence to common assault — but anything leaving a mark is criminal.
Ready to start?
You've read the guide — now put it into practice. 45 of 45 mock papers ready, each with 24 questions and full explanations.
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