How to Get a Personal Licence in the UK

A Personal Licence lets you authorise the sale of alcohol on licensed premises in England and Wales. Whether you're taking over a pub, becoming a DPS, or opening your first venue, this guide walks through every step of the application — the paperwork, the fees, the timings and the pitfalls that most people don't discover until they've already been refused.

The 7-step application process

1. Confirm you're eligible

You must be 18 or over, have no unspent relevant or foreign convictions, and not currently hold a personal licence that has been forfeited in the last 5 years.

18+ on the date of application
Right to work in the UK
No unspent relevant offences (Schedule 4, Licensing Act 2003)

2. Pass an accredited APLH qualification

Sit the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) — a Level 2 qualification delivered by accredited providers such as BIIAB, Highfield or Gateway. It's a 40-question multiple-choice exam covering licensing law, the four licensing objectives and the responsibilities of a personal licence holder.

Typically half a day of training + exam
Cost: usually £120–£180
Certificate issued within 5–10 working days

3. Obtain a basic DBS check

Apply for a Basic Disclosure through the Disclosure and Barring Service (or Disclosure Scotland). The certificate must be dated within one calendar month of your licence application being submitted.

Cost: £21.50 (as of 2026)
Turnaround: 1–14 days online
Must be the original, not a copy

4. Complete form 'Application for the grant of a personal licence'

Download the correct form from your local licensing authority (the council where you live). You'll need to declare any convictions, provide two passport-style photographs (one endorsed by a professional), and pay the £37 statutory fee.

Two passport photos — one signed on the back
£37 application fee (payable to the council)
Disclosure of convictions declaration

5. Submit to your local licensing authority

Send the completed form, APLH certificate, basic DBS certificate, photographs, disclosure of convictions form and fee to the licensing team at your local council. Keep copies of everything.

6. Wait for the determination

Straightforward applications are usually granted within 4–6 weeks. If you've declared a relevant offence, the police can object and the matter goes to a licensing sub-committee hearing — where representation matters.

7. Receive your licence and keep it current

Once granted, your personal licence lasts indefinitely (since the 2015 Deregulation Act). You must notify the issuing authority of any change of name or address within 14 days, and disclose any relevant convictions received after grant.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a personal licence cost in total?

Budget around £180–£240 all-in: APLH training and exam (£120–£180), basic DBS check (£21.50) and the statutory council fee (£37). Add photograph and endorsement costs where applicable.

How long does the whole process take?

Most applicants complete the APLH, DBS and application within 3–4 weeks, with the council determination adding another 4–6 weeks. Allow 6–10 weeks end to end.

Do I need a personal licence to work behind a bar?

No. You only need a personal licence if you personally authorise the sale of alcohol — typically the DPS (Designated Premises Supervisor) or someone authorised by them. Bar staff serve under that authority.

What happens if I have a criminal record?

Unspent relevant offences don't automatically bar you — the police may object and the case is heard by the licensing sub-committee. Representation dramatically improves outcomes; we've secured grants for applicants with declared convictions.

Is the personal licence valid across the UK?

England and Wales share one system. Scotland and Northern Ireland operate separate personal licence regimes — you'll need the local equivalent to authorise sales there.