Personal licence: who needs one and how to get it

Who needs one

Staff do not need a personal licence to serve alcohol. But every alcohol sale must be authorised by someone who holds one, and the shop's DPS must hold one. One person can be DPS for several shops, but each shop has only one DPS.

If the DPS leaves, the shop should not sell alcohol until a new DPS is in place, so it is sensible for the owner, or a second trusted person, to hold a personal licence too.

What you need before applying

You must be 18 or over and have the right to work in the UK. You need an accredited licensing qualification — usually the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders, a one-day course with a short exam — and a basic criminal record check (basic DBS). You must also declare any relevant convictions.

Councils usually also ask for two passport-style photos, one endorsed by a person of standing, plus the qualification certificate, the DBS certificate and proof of right to work.

Where and how to apply

Apply to the council where you normally live, not where the shop is. The fee is £37, set nationally. Many councils aim to issue within a few weeks; if there are relevant convictions, the police have 14 days to object and a hearing may follow.

A personal licence no longer needs renewing. It stays valid unless it is surrendered, suspended or revoked, and it lapses if your right to work in the UK ends.

Being the DPS

The designated premises supervisor is named on the premises licence. They have day-to-day responsibility for alcohol sales and are the main contact for the police and the council, so they must be reachable at all times. They do not have to be in the shop every hour it is open.

Changing the DPS is a short form to the council with a £23 fee and the new DPS's signed consent. It can take effect straight away when you ask for it, and the police have 14 days to object. If you are taking over a shop, do the DPS change at the same time as the licence transfer so there is no gap.

Keeping your shop safe once you hold one

Holding a personal licence means you are responsible for how alcohol is sold under your authority. The mandatory conditions on every licence include an age verification policy, so most shops use Challenge 25 and keep a refusals log. Train every member of staff who serves alcohol and keep a simple record of that training.

Buy alcohol only from wholesalers registered under the Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS), and keep invoices. Trading standards and the police check for underage sales and non-duty-paid stock, and problems here can put both your personal licence and the shop's premises licence at risk.

How we help

We point you to accredited course providers, check your documents before they go in, prepare the council application and the DPS change, and keep you updated until the licence arrives. The fees are paid to the council and the course provider; we explain every cost up front.