Personal Licence UK: What It Is, What It Costs, How to Get One

Last updated: 24 April 2026

Most people think the pub licence is the only legal document you need to sell alcohol—but you’re actually one person away from a complete shutdown. A personal licence holder can be absent for weeks or even months, but the moment they’re not available and nobody else holds a valid personal licence on the premises, you can’t pour a pint. That’s the uncomfortable truth nobody tells you until you’re standing in front of the licensing authority or, worse, until an EHO walks in during their inspection.

If you’re seriously considering taking on a pub, understanding what a personal licence is and how it works isn’t optional—it’s foundational. I took on Teal Farm Pub three years ago under a Marston’s CRP agreement, and the ingoing process forced me to navigate this landscape from day one. Get it wrong, and you’re looking at licensing breaches, fines, and potentially losing the right to hold a licence at all.

This article covers exactly what a personal licence is, how much it costs, how long the application takes, and the steps you need to follow in 2026. You’ll also understand what disqualifies you and why this piece of paper is more critical than most people realise when they first start looking at pub opportunities.

What Is a Personal Licence?

A personal licence is your individual legal authorisation to sell alcohol in a licensed premises in England, Scotland, or Wales. It’s issued by your local licensing authority and it sits alongside the premises licence—that’s the permission given to the pub building itself.

Think of it this way: the premises licence says “this building is allowed to sell alcohol.” Your personal licence says “you are the person responsible for making sure it happens legally.” They’re linked, but they’re separate documents.

In practical terms, you need a personal licence to be named as the designated premises supervisor (DPS) on the premises licence. That’s the person who takes legal responsibility for alcohol sales. Without a personal licence holder on the team, you can’t operate at all.

I learned this the hard way when I first took on Teal Farm. You might inherit a DPS from the previous licensee, but the moment they move on or you decide to change who’s responsible, you need to have someone—usually yourself—with a valid personal licence in place. It’s not a formality. It’s a legal requirement with teeth.

Who Needs a Personal Licence?

You need a personal licence if you’re going to be involved in day-to-day management of alcohol sales in a pub. That typically means:

• The main licensee or tenant taking on the pub
• The designated premises supervisor if you’re not the licensee
• Any manager or assistant manager who will handle alcohol transactions regularly

You do not need one just to work behind the bar pouring drinks. You need one to have legal responsibility for alcohol sales and compliance on the premises.

In most cases, when you’re taking on a pub for the first time, you’ll need to get a personal licence yourself as the business owner. If you bring in a manager to run the day-to-day, that manager also needs one if they’re going to be the DPS. It’s not about how many hours you work—it’s about who holds legal responsibility.

Here’s the operator detail nobody mentions: if you’re the licensee but your manager is the DPS, and your manager leaves suddenly, you cannot legally sell alcohol until you’ve either promoted someone else with a licence or appointed yourself as DPS. This is why many small pubs require both the owner and at least one senior staff member to hold personal licences. It’s insurance against being stuck.

How Much Does a Personal Licence Cost?

The cost breaks into two parts: the training course and the application fee.

Training Course

You must complete an Ofqual-accredited training course in Alcohol and Licensing before you can apply. This is not optional and it’s not something you can skip.

Costs range from around £30 to £150 depending on your provider and delivery method. Online courses are typically cheaper than in-person training. Some providers offer same-day results; others take a few days to issue your certificate. For context, I’ve seen community pubs and larger estates both use online providers, and the quality varies. Check reviews before booking.

Application Fee

The application fee to your local licensing authority is £37 in 2026. This fee goes directly to the council and is non-refundable, even if your application is refused.

Total Cost

Your total outlay will be £67 to £187 assuming a straightforward application with no objections. If you’re taking on a pub as a team and need multiple licences, multiply accordingly.

This cost is negligible compared to the financial reality of running a pub, which is why I’m always baffled when I meet prospective licensees trying to cut corners on compliance costs. If you’re worried about £100 now, the real issue isn’t the licence fee—it’s whether you’re financially prepared for a pub business at all. Use a pub profit margin calculator to understand your actual margin before you commit to anything.

How to Get a Personal Licence: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Complete Your Training Course

Find an Ofqual-accredited training provider and complete their Alcohol and Licensing Level 1 or Level 2 course. You’ll cover:

• Licensing law and the Licensing Act 2003
• The four licensing objectives (prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, protection of children)
• Responsible alcohol service practices
• Age verification and proof of age requirements
• Local and national licensing policies

Once you pass (and most people do), you’ll receive a certificate. Keep this safe—you’ll need it for your application.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Documents

You’ll need to provide:

• Your training certificate
• A colour photograph (passport style)
• Proof of identity (passport, driving licence, or national ID card)
• Your national insurance number
• Details of any unspent criminal convictions (if applicable)

This is where honesty matters. Any unspent convictions—particularly those related to dishonesty, violence, or alcohol—need to be declared. The licensing authority will find out anyway through their checks, and lying on the application is grounds for refusal and a potential criminal charge.

Step 3: Submit Your Application to Your Local Licensing Authority

Contact your local council’s licensing department (usually under environmental health or licensing services) and ask for a personal licence application form. You can typically find it on their website, or they’ll send one by post.

Fill it out completely and submit it along with your documents and the £37 fee. Some councils now accept online applications; others still require paper forms. Check with your local authority before you start.

When you apply, give yourself a realistic timeline. The licensing authority has 4 to 6 weeks to process your application from the date they receive it (the actual statutory deadline is when they “serve” your licence, which may be slightly after approval). Don’t assume it’ll be faster just because you chase them—they’ll get to it when they get to it.

Step 4: Wait for Objections (or Proceed Without Them)

Once your application is submitted, the licensing authority publishes it for a 28-day consultation period. Objections can come from interested parties—rival pub owners, residents, the police, trading standards, or local councillors. In reality, personal licence objections are rare unless you have a criminal history.

If there are no objections, your application proceeds. If there are, the licensing authority may hold a hearing, but this is uncommon for routine personal licence applications.

Step 5: Receive Your Personal Licence

Once approved, the licensing authority will issue your personal licence—a physical document that usually arrives by post. It’s valid for 10 years. Keep it somewhere safe; you’ll need to show it if the licensing authority or EHO asks, and you’ll need it again when you renew.

Your licence is personal to you and non-transferable. If you leave the pub or hand over the business, your personal licence stays with you—but it becomes irrelevant to that premises unless you’re still the DPS. The new owner or manager will need their own.

Who Cannot Hold a Personal Licence?

The licensing authority will refuse your application if you fall into certain categories. Understanding these upfront saves you time and money:

Criminal Convictions

You’ll be automatically disqualified if you have an unspent conviction for any of these offences:

• Any crime involving dishonesty (theft, fraud, forgery, deception)
• Violence (assault, battery, ABH, GBH)
• Drug trafficking or supply
• Sexual offences
• Driving under the influence (within the last 10 years)
• Breach of the Licensing Act or licensing conditions

A single spent conviction won’t necessarily disqualify you, but unspent ones are a hard no. If you’re unsure about your criminal record, speak to the licensing authority before you apply—it saves the application fee and the disappointment.

Mental Capacity Issues

If you lack mental capacity to understand your responsibilities under licensing law, you’ll be refused. This is assessed case by case and is rare.

Bankruptcy or Debt Issues

Being an undischarged bankrupt will result in refusal. This is relatively uncommon but it’s worth checking if you’ve had financial difficulties in the past.

Immigration Status

You must have the right to work in the UK. Non-UK nationals need appropriate visa status that permits self-employment or business ownership.

None of these disqualifications are negotiable. If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria, contact your local licensing authority before you pay the application fee. A five-minute conversation now beats a rejected application later.

Renewing Your Personal Licence

Your personal licence lasts 10 years from the date of issue. Renewal is straightforward but it’s not automatic—you have to apply for it.

The renewal process is similar to the initial application but simpler: you submit a renewal form, proof of identity, a new photograph, and another £37 fee. You don’t need to retake the training course unless your local authority specifically requires it (most don’t).

Apply for renewal at least 6 weeks before your licence expires. If your renewal application is pending when your current licence expires, you can continue to work legally until the authority makes a decision. If you wait until the last minute and your application is delayed, you’re in limbo.

I know licensees who’ve almost let their personal licences expire through sheer distraction—running a pub at 180 covers with quiz nights, match day events, and food service keeps you busy—but an expired licence is a serious breach. Set a reminder on your phone for 8 weeks before expiry. Don’t rely on memory.

Before you sign any agreement to take on a pub, make sure you understand the full financial and legal picture. Knowing your personal licence requirements is one piece—but understanding your actual profit margins, labour costs, and cash position is what separates successful licensees from those who struggle.

Your EPOS tells you what sold. Pub Command Centre tells you whether you made money—real-time labour percentages, VAT liability, and cash position. £97 once, no monthly fees. Before you sign anything, know your numbers.

For more information, visit retail partner earnings calculator.

For more information, visit best pub EPOS systems guide.