Birmingham

Complete, detailed guide to help you reach the Life in the UK Test Centre in Birmingham, with ✨bus routes, 🚗 parking info, 🅿️ parking payment details, 🚶‍♂️walking tips, and an easy Quick Checklist at the end 👍

📍 Life in the UK Test Centre – Birmingham

🏢 PSI Birmingham
Gateway House, 3rd Floor,
50-53 High Street, Birmingham, B4 7SY 🇬🇧
📍 Entrance is on High Street — look for it between “Love Chicken” and Holland & Barrett. 

This test centre is centrally located and well connected by public transport — ideal for those taking the Life in the UK Test.

🚆 By Train 🚉

Birmingham’s train network makes getting to the test centre easy 👇

📍 Birmingham New Street Station

• ⚡ Major national hub with trains from across the UK.

• 🚶‍♂️ ~5-10 minute walk to the test centre.

• From the station, exit via the Eastern exit toward High Street, then walk northeast — The Gateway House building will appear on your right. 

📍 Birmingham Moor Street Station

• Great for local/regional services.

• 🚶‍♂️ Also a short ~5-10 minute walk.

• You’ll walk north toward High Street — the test centre entrance is easy to spot in Gateway House. 

📍 Birmingham Snow Hill Station

• Slightly farther than Moor Street and New Street.

• It’s still walkable (~15-20 minutes) or you can take a short bus/taxi. 

🚌 By Bus 🚌

There are many bus routes that stop within a short walk of the centre 👇 

🚍 Recommended Bus Routes

1. 13A
   🛑 Stop: Colmore Row (SH2) — ~500 m / ~6 min walk
   ➡️ Head south through the cathedral area toward Martineau Place and High Street.

2. 45
   🛑 Stop: Moor Street Queensway — ~2 min walk
   ➡️ Walk northwest on Moor Street toward the test centre. 

3. 4A
   🛑 Stop: Church Centre (Carrs Lane) — ~5-7 min walk
   ➡️ Continue toward High Street following nearby signage. 

4. 94
   🛑 Stop: Dale End — ~4 min walk
   ➡️ Walk west toward High Street and Gateway House. 

5. 87
   🛑 Stop: Colmore — then head toward SH2 stop above (~6–7 min walk). 

👉 Other nearby stops within ~5 minutes:
Priority Square, Dale House, Old Square, Moor Street Station, Moor Street Selfridges.

📍 How to Pay on Bus

• Tap contactless card / Apple Pay / Google Pay onboard when you board the bus

• Some services still take exact cash (check with the driver)

• Bus drivers and local timetables can help you decide which stop is closest 👍

🚗 By Car 🚗

The centre is in Birmingham city centre — here’s how to plan your drive and parking 👇 

🅿️ Parking Nearby

🅿️ Shaw’s Passage Car Park

• 🚗 Very close to the test centre (about 5 min walk)

• 📆 Open 24/7

• 💷 Parking charges:

  • 2 hrs → £2.50

  • 4 hrs → £5.50

  • 8 hrs → £5.50

  • 12 hrs → £6.50

• 💵 Cash only

• ⚠️ Small capacity (~30 vehicles) and no disabled spaces — so arrive early if planning to park here. 

🅿️ Bullring & Grand Central Car Park

• 🚗 Larger multistory car park

• 🕐 Opening hours:

  • Mon–Sat → 07:00–22:00

  • Sun → 07:30–20:00

• 💷 Parking charges:

  • 1 hr → £3

  • 2 hrs → £5

  • 3 hrs → £7

  • 4 hrs → £8

  • 8 hrs → £12

  • Full day → £20

• 💳 Card / Contactless only (No cash)

• 🦽 Has disabled parking and EV charging

• 🚶‍♂️ ~5 min walk from car park to test centre

• ➡️ Walk under the railway; head through Park Street → Moor Street → then stay on High Street toward Gateway House. 

🅿️ If these are full, you can check apps/websites like Parkopedia for alternatives near High Street.

🚶‍♂️ Walking Directions from Key Spots

📍 From Birmingham New Street Station

🚶‍♂️ ~5–10 minutes

• Exit the station’s eastern side

• Head northeast toward High Street

• You’ll see Gateway House where the test centre is on the 3rd floor with an entrance on High Street itself. 

📍 From Moor Street Station

🚶‍♂️ ~5–10 minutes

• Head north toward High Street

• Look for Holland & Barrett and Love Chicken as nearby businesses — the entrance is next to them.

🧠 Tips to Locate the Building Easily

📍 Search “Gateway House, Birmingham” on Google Maps
📏 It’s centrally placed close to shopping areas and public transport hubs
🔎 The entrance is on High Street between Love Chicken and Holland & Barrett — easy to spot when walking around the city centre 
📲 Save the location on your phone before the test day

⏰ Arrival Timing

⏱️ Arrive 15–20 mins early
📄 Bring the same photo ID you used when booking — they will check it before the test begins. (GOV.UK)

🧠 Quick Summary (Easy Checklist)

📍 Test Centre: PSI Birmingham, Gateway House, 3rd Floor, 50-53 High Street, Birmingham, B4 7SY 🇬citeturn0search7

🚇 Train Nearby:
✔ Birmingham New Street — ~5–10 min walk
✔ Birmingham Moor Street — ~5–10 min walk
✔ Birmingham Snow Hill — ~15–20 min walk 

🚌 Useful Bus Routes:
✔ 13A → Colmore Row (SH2)
✔ 45 → Moor Street Queensway
✔ 4A → Church Centre (Carrs Lane)
✔ 94 → Dale End
✔ 87 → Colmore (west)

• Priority Square, Old Square, Moor Street Selfridges stops 

🚗 Parking Options:
✔ Shaw’s Passage (cash only)
✔ Bullring & Grand Central (card/contactless)
✔ Parkopedia for more nearby car parks

🚶‍♂️ Walk Tips:
✔ Follow signs toward High Street / Gateway House
✔ Near Holland & Barrett / Love Chicken

🕐 Arrival Reminder:
✔ Arrive early (15–20 mins)
✔ Bring matching ID used in booking (GOV.UK)