Personal licence
A personal licence allows someone to supply alcohol, or to authorise the supply of alcohol. Personal licences are separate from premises licences, so licence holders can move freely between premises.
Personal licences relate only to alcohol - it is not required for other licensable activities, or supplying alcohol under a club premises certificate.
It's not necessary for everyone supplying alcohol in a premises to have a personal licence - but the personal licence holder must authorise the supply.
You can only hold one personal licence at a time.
How do I qualify for a personal licence?
You must -
- be over 18
- have a licensing qualification accredited by the Secretary of State (or equivalent) - the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (link opens in new window) has a list. Or you must be of a description prescribed in the regulations
- not have forfeited a personal licence in the last five years
- have not been convicted of any relevant offence
- pay the required fee of £37
- supply a Criminal Records Bureau check, or similar, with your application
Can the police object?
Yes, they can. If the police do object to your application on the basis of preventing crime, they must serve an objection notice to the council within 14 days. If they don't object, or they withdraw their objection and your application meets all the requirements, we will grant the licence.
If the objection notice is lodged, we must hold a hearing to consider the matter unless all parties agree it is not necessary.
How long is a personal licence valid for?
10 years - unless it is surrendered or suspended, revoked or declared forfeit by the courts. Once the licence is granted, the authority that issued it will always be the 'relevant licensing authority' for the holder - even if you move out of the area or work somewhere else. Details of the issuing licensing authority are on the licence itself.
How to apply
Download the documents below to apply for a personal licence or tell us about a change of name or address. You will find the address details and other important information in the guidance booklet below -
Personal licence - change of name or address (size: 9.8 Kb) 
Personal licence application form and guidance booklet - Word version (size: 272 Kb) 
