How to get a personal licence to sell alcohol

To legally sell or authorise the sale of alcohol in England and Wales, you must hold a Personal Licence. The first and most crucial step is to gain the right qualification: the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH). This licence is granted to an individual, not a business, and is required for anyone who will be the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) for a licensed venue.

What is a Personal Licence?

A Personal Licence allows you to authorise the sale of alcohol in any venue that has a Premises Licence. Think of it as the professional qualification for alcohol retailers. Every sale of alcohol must be authorised by a Personal Licence holder. For most businesses, one person (often the owner or manager) will be named as the DPS, and they must hold this licence.

How to Get Your Personal Licence: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process is straightforward and is broken down into three main stages.

1. Pass the APLH Qualification

   Before you can even think about applying, you need to pass the APLH exam. This is usually a one-day course that covers licensing law, your responsibilities, and the penalties for breaking the rules. You can find many accredited providers online who offer the course and the final multiple-choice exam. Once you pass, you'll receive an official certificate.

2. Get a Criminal Record Check

   You must include a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check with your application. It's important to time this correctly, as the certificate must be no more than one month old when you submit your application to the council. You can apply for a basic DBS check directly on the GOV.UK website.

3. Submit Your Application to the Council

   With your APLH certificate and DBS check in hand, you are ready to apply. You must apply to the local council for the area in which you live, not where your business is based. Your application pack should contain:

   • The completed application form from your council's website.
   • Your original APLH certificate (not a copy).
   • Your original basic DBS certificate.
   • Two recent passport-sized photos of yourself. One of these must be endorsed by a professional, such as a solicitor or person of good standing in the community, to verify your identity.
   • The application fee (the amount varies between councils).

What Happens Next?

Once submitted, the council will process your application. Provided you don't have any relevant unspent convictions, they will grant your licence. A Personal Licence is valid indefinitely unless it is surrendered or revoked. It's your responsibility to notify the council if you change your name or address.

Top Tip: Before you start, check the specific requirements and fees on your local council's website. Always send your application by recorded delivery and keep copies of every document for your own records.