Personal Licence
A licence held by an individual under the Licensing Act 2003 authorising them to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol.
A personal licence is the document under the Licensing Act 2003 that authorises an individual to sell alcohol or to authorise others to sell alcohol on premises licensed for alcohol sales. It is held by the individual, not the venue, and it stays with the holder if they move jobs. Every sale of alcohol must be made or authorised by a personal licence holder, which makes the licence operationally critical at every venue with an alcohol licence. To hold one an individual must have completed the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) qualification, submitted a DBS check, and paid the application fee to their local licensing authority.
Key Points
- A personal licence authorises an individual to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol.
- Required to act as Designated Premises Supervisor on a premises licence.
- Granted by the licensing authority where the applicant lives, portable across England and Wales.
- Requires the APLH qualification (Level 2) and a DBS check.
- Annual renewal was abolished in 2017; personal licences now do not expire automatically.
How personal licences work
A personal licence is granted by the licensing authority where the applicant lives. Once granted, it is portable: the holder can use it to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol at any premises in England or Wales. The licence does not expire automatically since the 2017 reforms (annual renewal was abolished), but the licensing authority can revoke a licence if the holder is convicted of relevant offences. Personal licence holders have ongoing duties: notifying the authority of changes of name or address, and producing the licence on request from a constable or licensing officer.
The APLH qualification
The Award for Personal Licence Holders is a regulated qualification (Level 2) covering licensing law, the four licensing objectives, the role of the personal licence holder, alcohol-related offences, and prevention of crime and disorder. Most candidates complete it in a one-day or two-day classroom or online course followed by a multiple-choice exam. Approved providers include accredited awarding bodies such as Highfield, BIIAB, and ProQual. The qualification certificate is included in the personal licence application.
Personal licence and the DPS role
The Designated Premises Supervisor must hold a personal licence. A personal licence holder can work as a manager or staff member without being a DPS (only one DPS can be named on each premises licence). At larger operations, multiple personal licence holders are typically rostered so the venue is never reliant on a single individual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all bar staff need personal licences?
No. Only the person making or authorising the sale needs to hold a personal licence. Bar staff selling alcohol must be doing so under written authorisation from a personal licence holder. The DPS provides this authorisation typically.
Do personal licences expire?
Since 2017 personal licences no longer expire automatically (annual renewal was abolished). The licence remains valid until surrendered, revoked, or forfeited following conviction for relevant offences.
How do I apply for a personal licence?
Complete the APLH qualification, obtain a DBS check, then apply to the local licensing authority where you live with the application form, fee, qualification certificate, DBS evidence, and two passport-sized photos. Most authorities turn applications around within 4 to 6 weeks.
Can a personal licence be revoked?
Yes. A licensing authority must revoke a personal licence if the holder is convicted of certain relevant offences, including most alcohol-related and dishonesty offences. The court can also forfeit the licence as part of sentencing.
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