{"id":5732,"date":"2018-11-16T11:21:36","date_gmt":"2018-11-16T11:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/?p=5732"},"modified":"2026-03-02T08:15:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T08:15:20","slug":"7-things-you-didnt-know-about-a-personal-licence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.get-licensed.co.uk\/get-daily\/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-a-personal-licence\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Things You Didn\u2019t Know About A Personal Licence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The personal licence<\/a> can seem straightforward, but several common myths and misconceptions can catch even seasoned hospitality professionals off guard. It’s easy to assume you know the rules, but small misunderstandings can lead to rejected applications or compliance issues down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While our complete guide to getting a personal licence<\/a> covers the full process, this article debunks some of the most persistent myths. Here are 7 personal licence facts you might not know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not Everyone Who Serves Alcohol Needs One<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think that every person who sells alcohol needs a personal licence? Think again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not every person who sells alcohol at licensed premises (for example, bar staff) will need to hold a personal licence, but every sale must be authorised<\/em> by someone who does. This is why having personal licence holders on a team is crucial, especially the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)<\/a>, who must hold one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s Valid Forever in England and Wales<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you get yourself a personal licence, you\u2019ll be holding on to it for a pretty long time. An entire lifespan, actually. This means you don\u2019t need to renew it, unlike a lot of other licences. Talk about longevity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike many other qualifications that require periodic renewal, a personal licence issued in England or Wales is valid indefinitely. As we cover in our guide on how long a personal licence lasts<\/a>, the requirement to renew every 10 years was abolished in 2015. It’s a lifelong qualification, though it can still be suspended or revoked<\/a> if you commit a relevant offence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s Portable Across England and Wales<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thinking of making that move from London to sunny Brighton? Well, be sure to pack your personal licence too. Personal licences are portable, which means a licence holder can authorise sales of alcohol in all venues with a premises licence throughout England and Wales. Scotland, on the other hand, has their own licensing policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, your personal licence is not tied to a specific venue. It is a portable qualification that belongs to you. This means you can authorise alcohol sales at any licensed premises in the UK regions mentioned above, whether it’s a pub in London, a restaurant in Manchester, or a festival in Brighton. This portability is one of the key benefits of getting a personal licence<\/a>, as it makes you a more flexible and valuable employee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You Must Pass an Exam Before You Can Apply<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s another personal licence fact: you can’t simply apply for a personal licence without prior training. You must first earn the required qualification: the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH)<\/a>. This involves a one-day training course and a multiple-choice exam to test your understanding of the Licensing Act 2003 and your legal responsibilities. Only once you have your APLH certificate can you submit your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out our APLH mock exams<\/a> to get a glimpse into what the real test looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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