Mason Delacroix
If you're looking to work in the alcohol industry, you may need a personal alcohol licence. A personal licence allows holders to authorise the sale of alcohol on behalf of any business with a premises licence or a club premises certificate. A designated premises supervisor (DPS), who holds a personal licence, must be present to authorise alcohol sales in all businesses and organisations selling alcohol, except members' clubs and certain community premises. To apply for a personal licence, you must be over 18 and hold a relevant licensing qualification, such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders. Applications can be made online, and you will need to submit supporting documents, including proof of your right to work in the UK and a criminal conviction certificate. The application fee is typically £37, paid directly to your local council, and you may also need to pay for a basic DBS check.
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What You'll Learn
Check eligibility and requirements
To check if you are eligible to apply for a personal alcohol licence, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be 18 years or older to apply for a personal alcohol licence.
- You must hold a relevant licensing qualification, such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders or a similar accredited qualification. It is important to obtain this qualification before applying for the licence. The aim of this qualification is to ensure that you are aware of licensing laws and the social responsibilities involved in selling alcohol.
- You must provide proof of your right to work in the country where you are applying for the licence.
- You must submit a criminal record check or disclosure form. Any relevant criminal convictions must be disclosed, and they may impact your application.
- You must provide two passport photographs, one of which needs to be signed by a solicitor, notary, or another qualified individual, verifying your likeness.
- You must submit your application to the relevant local licensing authority, which is usually your local council.
- You must pay the required application fee.
It is important to note that the specific requirements may vary depending on your location and the type of alcohol-related business you intend to operate. It is always advisable to check with your local council or the relevant government website to understand the eligibility criteria and requirements specific to your region.
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Complete a training course
To apply for a personal alcohol licence in the UK, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a relevant licensing qualification. This qualification ensures that you are aware of licensing laws and the social responsibilities involved in selling alcohol.
The Level 2 APLH (Award for Personal Licence Holders) qualification is the most commonly accepted form of licensing qualification. This can be obtained by completing the APLH Training Course, which takes 6 hours and is assessed by a 40-question multiple-choice exam. The course covers topics such as licensing law, personal licence holder obligations, and social responsibilities.
If you are based in Scotland, you will need to obtain the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH). This qualification is specifically designed for those seeking to sell or supply alcohol in Scotland and covers the relevant laws and regulations applicable in Scotland.
In addition to obtaining the necessary qualifications, you will also need to submit an application form and provide supporting documentation. This may include proof of your qualification, a criminal conviction certificate, and proof of your right to work in the UK. The application process can be completed online if your council accepts electronic applications, or you can submit a postal application.
It is important to note that the personal alcohol licence is designed for individuals who are running or managing a business that sells or supplies alcohol. Simply working behind a bar does not require a personal licence, as long as a designated premises supervisor with a valid personal licence is present.
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Gather supporting documents
To apply for a personal alcohol licence, you will need to gather several supporting documents. The specific documents required may vary depending on your location and the licensing authority, but here is a general overview:
- Proof of Identification and Address: This typically includes documents such as a passport, driver's licence, or other government-issued identification. You will also need to provide proof of your home address, which can be demonstrated through a bank statement, utility bill, council tax bill, or driving licence.
- Relevant Licensing Qualification: In most cases, you will need to hold a relevant licensing qualification, such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders or the APLH Training Course. This qualification ensures that you are aware of licensing laws and the social responsibilities associated with alcohol sales. Keep your qualification certificate safe, as it will be required for your application.
- Criminal Record Check: Some licensing authorities may require a basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check or an equivalent. This is to ensure that you do not have any relevant criminal convictions that may impact your suitability for a personal alcohol licence.
- Consent Form: If you are applying to be a designated premises supervisor (DPS), you will need to complete a consent form. This is because the DPS has day-to-day responsibility for the running of the business and the authorisation of alcohol sales.
- Application Forms: You will need to complete the appropriate personal licence application form, which can usually be found on your local government or licensing authority's website. Make sure to fill out the form accurately and completely, as missing information can delay or invalidate your application.
- Payment: The application process typically incurs a fee, which is payable to your local council or licensing authority. This fee is generally non-refundable, so ensure that you are eligible and have the correct amount ready before submitting your application.
Remember to carefully review the requirements specified by your local licensing authority, as there may be additional or specific documents needed for your personal alcohol licence application.
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Submit the application
To submit your application for a personal alcohol licence, you must be aged 18 or over and hold a relevant licensing qualification. You can find a list of approved qualifications on the official website of your local government. You can also contact your local council licensing team to enquire about the qualifications.
You will need to submit the following documents to the Licensing Authority:
- A completed personal licence application form.
- A disclosure of convictions form.
- Two passport photographs, one of which needs to be signed by a solicitor, notary, a person of standing in the community, or any individual with a professional qualification, verifying the likeness of the photograph to you.
- Proof of your licensing qualification, accredited by the Secretary of State.
- Your Criminal Record Certificate, issued no earlier than one calendar month before the submission of the application.
- Evidence of your right to work in the country.
- The application fee.
You can submit your application online, by post, or in person at your nearest district office of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. If you are submitting your application by post, enclose a cheque or postal order, payable to the relevant authority, and send your application to the provided address. If you are applying online, you will need to create an account on the official website and upload the required documents.
Please note that you cannot submit applications for new personal licences by email.
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Await processing and contact the relevant authorities
Once you have submitted your application, you will need to wait for it to be processed. The time taken for processing may vary depending on the volume of applications received by the licensing authority. In some cases, you may experience delays or be requested to provide additional information or documentation. It is important to be patient and responsive throughout this process.
While awaiting a response, you can take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the relevant authorities and their roles in the licensing process. The licensing authority, typically your local council, is responsible for reviewing and approving applications. They will assess your suitability as a licensee, considering factors such as your age, qualifications, and criminal record. You can contact the licensing team within your local council to inquire about the status of your application and clarify any specific requirements or concerns.
In addition to the local council, other relevant authorities may include the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) or the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The DABC oversees the issuance of alcoholic beverage licenses and can provide guidance on applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The TTB, on the other hand, regulates alcohol and tobacco businesses, and certain businesses in these industries must receive approval from the TTB before commencing operations.
If you are applying for a premises licence, which authorises the sale of alcohol at a specific location, you will also need to coordinate with the designated premises supervisor (DPS). The DPS is responsible for ensuring compliance with licensing laws and conditions, and they must hold a personal licence. Coordinating with the DPS will help ensure that your premises meet the necessary requirements and that staff are appropriately trained.
During this waiting period, it is important to stay proactive and informed. You can utilise this time to ensure that all aspects of your application are in order and that you understand the responsibilities associated with holding an alcohol licence. Maintaining open lines of communication with the relevant authorities will help facilitate a smoother and more efficient licensing process.
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Frequently asked questions
To apply for a personal alcohol licence, you must be 18 or over and hold a relevant licensing qualification, such as the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders. You can obtain this qualification by completing the APLH Training Course, which takes 6 hours and is assessed by a multiple-choice exam. You will also need to provide proof of your right to work in the country.
You can apply for a personal alcohol licence online if your council accepts electronic applications. The application costs £37, which is payable to your local council. You may also need to pay £25 for a DBS check. You will need to submit supporting documents, including a criminal conviction certificate, and complete a disclosure of convictions form.
It typically takes 4 weeks to process a personal alcohol licence application. However, processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications received.
