Getting a personal licence is one of those things that sounds more complicated than it actually is. Yes, there is an exam involved. Yes, there is an application to submit. But if you approach it in the right order and choose a reliable personal alcohol licence course online, the whole process is very achievable even if you have no prior licensing experience whatsoever.
What Is a Personal Licence and Why Do You Need One?
A personal licence is an individual authorisation issued under the Licensing Act 2003 that allows you to authorise the sale of alcohol at licensed premises. If you want to act as a designated premises supervisor (DPS) the person legally responsible for alcohol sales at a venue you must hold a valid personal licence. It stays with you as an individual, not the premises, which means you can carry it with you throughout your career in the hospitality or retail industry.
Step 1 Complete an Accredited APLH Qualification
Before you can submit your application, you need to pass the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) a nationally recognised qualification accredited by bodies such as BIIAB, Highfield, or Award International. This is where taking a personal alcohol licence course online makes a real difference. Rather than attending a classroom on a fixed date, you can study at your own pace, revisit tricky sections, and sit the exam when you feel ready.
The course typically covers the four licensing objectives, the responsibilities of a DPS, the law around alcohol sales, age verification, and the consequences of non-compliance. Most candidates complete the study content within one to two days, though that timeline varies depending on your background knowledge and how much time you can dedicate.
Step 2 Pass the APLH Exam
The APLH exam is a multiple-choice assessment, typically consisting of 40 questions with a pass mark of 28 out of 40. It is invigilated, which means you will need to sit it at an approved test centre or via an online proctored session depending on the provider. Preparation is key working through past papers and practice tests beforehand significantly improves your chances of passing first time.
Step 3 Submit Your Application for a Personal Licence
Once you have your APLH certificate in hand, you can move forward with the application for a personal licence. This is submitted to the licensing authority for the area where you are ordinarily resident. Along with the completed application form, you will need to provide your APLH certificate, a basic criminal record disclosure (a DBS check), two passport photographs, and the application fee of £37.
The licensing authority will send a copy of your application to the police, who have 14 days to make representations if they believe granting the licence would be against the crime prevention objective. In the vast majority of straightforward applications, no objection is raised and the licence is issued without a hearing.
