## Learning Outcomes

- Identify the shared values and responsibilities expected of everyone living in the UK
- Understand key civic duties: voting, being on the electoral register, and jury service
- Recall legal responsibilities linked to driving in the UK (DVLA, tax, insurance, MOT, SORN)
- Recognise practical ways to participate in and support your local community

## Life in the UK Test Syllabus

For the Life in the UK Test, you are expected to understand civic duties and responsibilities in the UK, with a focus on the following syllabus points:

- List the shared UK values and responsibilities, including obeying the law, treating people equally, and helping others
- Know that voting in local and national elections is an important responsibility (and that you must register before you can vote)
- Understand jury service: selection from the electoral register and the typical eligibility age range (18 to 70; 18 to 75 in England and Wales)
- Explain the duties of a “good neighbour” (noise, refuse/bins, respecting privacy, keeping property tidy)
- Know the main legal requirements for driving and keeping a vehicle: DVLA registration, vehicle tax, insurance, MOT (over 3 years old), and SORN if off-road

## Test Your Knowledge

_Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, look more closely at that area during your revision._

1. Name four shared values and responsibilities expected of people living in the UK.
2. Why can being on the electoral register lead to being called for jury service?
3. What are the legal requirements for a UK resident who owns a car or motorcycle (think DVLA, tax, insurance, MOT, SORN)?
4. At what age does a vehicle normally need an MOT test each year?
5. Give two practical examples of being a good neighbour in the UK.

## Introduction

Living in the UK comes with rights (such as free speech and a fair trial) and responsibilities (such as obeying the law and treating others fairly). The Life in the UK Test expects you to know the most common responsibilities that apply in everyday life, not only big political ideas.

This topic also links to “active citizenship”: contributing to your community through voting, jury service if selected, and positive behaviour towards neighbours and the local environment.

> **Key Term: civic duty**
> A responsibility linked to living in society, such as voting, serving on a jury if summoned, obeying the law, and acting responsibly towards others.

### Shared values and everyday responsibilities

The UK is diverse, but public life is based on shared expectations about how people treat each other and behave in society. These expectations appear in the Life in the UK materials as a list of values and responsibilities that support democratic life and peaceful communities.

Key responsibilities include:

- obeying and respecting the law
- respecting other people’s rights and opinions
- treating people with fairness
- behaving responsibly
- helping and protecting your family, and working to support yourself and your family
- respecting and protecting the environment
- treating everyone equally regardless of sex, race, religion, age, disability, class, or sexual orientation
- helping others
- voting in local and national elections

> **Key Term: the rule of law**
> The principle that everyone must follow the law, and the law is applied fairly by independent courts.

These values connect directly to daily choices. For example, “treating everyone equally” means discrimination is not acceptable at work, when using services, or in public life. “Behaving responsibly” includes things like controlling noise late at night, disposing of rubbish properly, and driving safely and legally.

> **Test Tip:** In the test, responsibility questions are often phrased as “Which of these is a responsibility in the UK?” Learn the exact themes: obey the law, respect rights, treat people equally, help family, protect the environment, help others, vote.

### Voting, registration, and participating in democracy

Voting is a major way that people can take part in the UK’s democracy. Voting is not compulsory, but it is strongly presented as a responsibility of citizenship and long-term residence.

Before you can vote, you normally need to be on the electoral register.

> **Key Term: electoral register**
> The official list of people who are registered to vote at an address.

Being registered matters for two reasons that the test commonly connects:

1. It allows you to vote (if you are eligible for that type of election).
2. People on the electoral register can be randomly selected for jury service.

Voting happens in different kinds of elections, including local elections (for councillors) and national elections (for Members of Parliament at Westminster). The test focus here is not complex eligibility rules by nationality, but the core idea: participation in elections is a responsibility and requires registration.

You can also participate in community life in ways beyond formal politics, for example by volunteering, joining local groups, helping in schools, or taking part in community events. The Life in the UK Test treats this as a positive expectation: people should look for ways to help their area and the people around them.

> **Test Tip:** If a question links “voting” with “jury service,” choose the answer that mentions the electoral register. The key link is: electoral register → potential selection for jury service.

### Jury service and supporting the justice system

Jury service is a civic duty connected to the courts and the justice system. In parts of the UK, the most serious criminal cases are decided by a judge and a jury, with jurors chosen from members of the public.

People are selected randomly from the electoral register to be asked to serve.

> **Key Term: jury service**
> A public duty where selected members of the public help decide a case in court by listening to evidence and giving a verdict.

The Life in the UK materials highlight that:

- people on the electoral register can be selected at random
- eligible adults can be asked to serve (commonly described as ages 18 to 70, and 18 to 75 in England and Wales)
- if you are summoned, you must do jury service unless you are not eligible or you have a good reason to be excused (for example, ill health)

Jury service supports the rule of law and the right to a fair trial. It also reflects the idea that the justice system is not only run by officials; ordinary members of the community play a part in it.

If you are selected, you are expected to attend as instructed and follow the court’s directions. Jurors must consider only the evidence presented in court and aim to reach a fair verdict.

### Legal responsibilities for drivers and vehicle owners

Many Life in the UK questions test practical legal responsibilities, especially around driving. It is not enough to “know how to drive”; you must meet legal requirements for licences and for keeping a vehicle.

You may be able to drive in the UK with a non-GB driving licence depending on your situation, but the testable point is usually the idea that there are rules and you must check the official requirements.

If you are resident in the UK and own a car or motorcycle, you are responsible for key legal steps:

1. Register the vehicle with DVLA
2. Pay vehicle tax each year
3. Have valid motor insurance
4. Have an MOT each year once the vehicle is over three years old
5. Tell DVLA if the vehicle is kept off the road (SORN)

> **Key Term: DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)**
> The government agency responsible for driver licensing and vehicle registration in Great Britain.

#### Vehicle tax

If your car or motorcycle is used or kept on public roads, it must be taxed (commonly called “vehicle tax”). A key rule in the Life in the UK materials is about what happens when a vehicle changes owner:

- Vehicle tax cannot be transferred to a new owner when a vehicle is sold or changes hands.
- The new owner must tax the vehicle themselves.

This often surprises new residents, so it is a good test target.

#### Insurance

You must have valid motor insurance to drive. Driving without insurance is treated very seriously and is a criminal offence. The test often expects you to recognise insurance as a legal requirement, not an optional extra.

#### MOT

Once a vehicle is over three years old, it must pass an MOT test every year.

> **Key Term: MOT test**
> A yearly safety and roadworthiness test required for most vehicles over three years old.

It is an offence not to have an MOT certificate for a vehicle that is more than three years old (unless a specific exemption applies). For revision, remember the “three-year rule”: after the third year, it becomes an annual requirement.

#### SORN

If your vehicle is kept off the public road and is not being used, you must tell DVLA by making a SORN.

> **Key Term: SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)**
> A legal notification to DVLA that a vehicle is off the road and not being used.

Important detail:

- A SORN cannot be transferred if the vehicle is sold or given to a new owner.

So, like vehicle tax, SORN status does not simply move with the car to someone else.

> **Test Tip:** For driving questions, look for the “set” of legal duties: DVLA registration + tax + insurance + MOT (over 3 years) + SORN if off-road. Tests often mix these with distractors like “optional breakdown cover.”

### Being a good neighbour and supporting your community

Civic responsibility is not only about elections and courts. The Life in the UK materials also stress everyday community behaviour and practical ways to support your area.

#### Being a good neighbour

When you move to a new home, it is normal (and encouraged) to introduce yourself to neighbours. This can help you become part of the community and avoid misunderstandings.

Good neighbour behaviour includes:

- respecting neighbours’ privacy
- limiting noise, especially at unsocial hours
- keeping your garden or outdoor space tidy (if you have one)
- putting refuse bags and bins out only when they are due to be collected, and not leaving rubbish on the street or in shared areas

These points appear in Life in the UK materials because community conflict is often caused by noise and waste. Knowing these examples can help you answer scenario-style questions.

#### Volunteering and local activities

Helping your community is described as an important part of being a good citizen. It can help you meet people, integrate into local life, and support those who need help.

Examples include:

- volunteering with local charities or community groups
- helping in schools (for example, listening to children read or supporting classroom activities)
- taking part in local fundraising events for schools (such as book sales and other activities)

The test focus is not on the name of any particular charity, but on recognising that volunteering and community support are positive responsibilities and opportunities for participation.

#### Helping the justice system and public services

The Life in the UK materials also explain that the police protect life and property, maintain order, and prevent and detect crime. Alongside this, the public are expected to support the police by helping prevent and detect crime when they can (for example, by reporting crime or cooperating as a witness if needed). This fits the wider responsibility to obey the law and support public order.

## Key Point Checklist

_This article has covered the following key knowledge points:_

- Civic duties include obeying the law, respecting others’ rights, behaving responsibly, and supporting your family and community
- Shared UK responsibilities include treating people equally and helping others
- Voting is presented as an important responsibility, and you usually must be on the electoral register to vote
- The electoral register is also used to select people at random for jury service
- Jury service is a legal duty if you are summoned, unless you are not eligible or have a good reason to be excused
- Vehicle owners who are resident in the UK must register vehicles with DVLA
- You must pay annual vehicle tax, and it cannot be transferred to a new owner when a vehicle is sold
- You must have valid motor insurance; driving without insurance is a serious criminal offence
- Vehicles over three years old must have an MOT test every year; it is an offence not to have a valid MOT where required
- If a vehicle is off the road and not being used, you must make a SORN, and it cannot be transferred to a new owner
- Being a good neighbour includes controlling noise, respecting privacy, and managing rubbish correctly
- Volunteering and helping in local activities (including schools) are encouraged ways to participate in community life

## Key Terms and Concepts

- civic duty
- the rule of law
- electoral register
- jury service
- DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency)
- MOT test
- SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)


Rights and responsibilities - Civic duties and responsibilities