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:
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Be 18 years of age or older
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Hold an accredited licensing qualification (such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders)
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Not have forfeited a Personal Licence in the last 5 years
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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:
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Two passport-sized photographs (one countersigned as a true likeness)
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Your original APLH certificate – Click here to book your BIIAB APLH course
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An original DBS certificate (issued within the last 30 days)
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A declaration form disclosing any convictions or civil immigration penalties
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A copy of your right to work in the UK documentation
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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.
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The police have 14 days to submit an objection
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If they object, your application will be referred to the local licensing committee for a hearing
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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:
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Licensing-related offences (including under previous laws)
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Firearms offences
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Offences involving dishonesty (e.g., theft, fraud, deception)
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Drink- or drug-related driving offences
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Acts of violence
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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.