How Do I Get a Personal Licence?

Apply for a Personal Licence

A Personal Licence authorises an individual to sell alcohol or authorise others to sell alcohol under the terms of a Premises Licence. Businesses such as pubs, restaurants, bars, and off-licences operate under a Premises Licence — but they must also have at least one Personal Licence holder involved in the sale of alcohol.

Personal Licences are valid indefinitely — even if a printed expiry date appears on the licence. They do not need to be renewed unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked.

Who Can Apply?

To apply for a Personal Licence, you must:

Be 18 years of age or older
Hold an accredited licensing qualification (such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders)
Not have forfeited a Personal Licence in the last 5 years
Not have any unspent convictions for a relevant or foreign offence

Important: Applications must be submitted to the Licensing Authority in the area where you live, not where you work.

What You Need to Apply

To submit your application, you must provide:

Two passport-sized photographs (one countersigned as a true likeness)
Your original APLH certificate – Click here to book your BIIAB APLH course
An original DBS certificate (issued within the last 30 days)
A declaration form disclosing any convictions or civil immigration penalties
A copy of your right to work in the UK documentation
The application fee: £37

Can My Application Be Refused?

In most cases, the police do not review personal licence applications. However, if your DBS certificate or application form discloses a relevant or foreign offence, the police will be notified.

The police may object if they believe granting the licence would undermine the crime prevention objective.

The police have 14 days to submit an objection
If they object, your application will be referred to the local licensing committee for a hearing
If there are no objections and all criteria are met, the licence will be granted

What Is a Relevant Offence?

Relevant offences are those considered to impact your suitability to hold a Personal Licence. These include:

Licensing-related offences (including under previous laws)
Firearms offences
Offences involving dishonesty (e.g., theft, fraud, deception)
Drink- or drug-related driving offences
Acts of violence
Certain trading standards offences

A foreign offence refers to a comparable offence committed outside England and Wales.

Some convictions may be “spent” under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore not considered during your application.

👉 A full list of relevant offences can be found here

Responsibilities of a Personal Licence Holder

As a Personal Licence holder, you have a legal duty to:

📬 Notify your Licensing Authority

You must inform the issuing authority of any change to your name or address.
Failure to do so is an offence punishable by a Level 2 fine (up to £500).

📄 Produce your Licence on request

If you are selling or authorising the sale of alcohol, you must be able to produce your licence when asked by a police officer or an authorised council officer.
Failure to comply may also result in a Level 2 fine (£500).

⚖️ Inform the court if charged

If you are charged with a relevant or foreign offence, you must notify the court at your first appearance that you hold a Personal Licence.
Failing to do so is a criminal offence and may result in a £500 fine.

Need help applying for your licence?

✅ Click here to use our Personal Licence Application Service — we’ll handle everything for you, including your DBS check and application submission.

📞 Still have questions? Call us on 0151 558 1783 — our team is ready to help.