APLH Personal Licence Conditions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: To which licensing authority should a personal licence application be made?
- The licensing authority for the area in which the applicant works
- The licensing authority for the area in which the applicant lives (their principal address) (Correct answer)
- Any licensing authority in England and Wales at the applicant's choice
- The Home Office directly
Correct answer: The licensing authority for the area in which the applicant lives (their principal address)
A personal licence application must be made to the licensing authority for the area where the applicant ordinarily resides — the licence is linked to the individual, not to any specific premises.
Question 2: What relevant qualification must a personal licence applicant hold under the Licensing Act 2003?
- Any food hygiene qualification from a recognised body
- A licensing qualification accredited by an awarding organisation listed in the Secretary of State's guidance, such as the APLH Award (Correct answer)
- A first aid qualification endorsed by the HSE
- A security industry qualification approved by the SIA
Correct answer: A licensing qualification accredited by an awarding organisation listed in the Secretary of State's guidance, such as the APLH Award
The applicant must hold a licensing qualification that is specifically accredited for this purpose — the Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) from BII, Highfield, or BIIAB is the most common.
Question 3: What is the annual fee payable by a personal licence holder under the Licensing Act 2003?
- £100 per year to the licensing authority
- There is no annual fee — a personal licence carries a one-time application fee but no ongoing annual charge (Correct answer)
- £50 per year to the Home Office
- £200 per year, reviewed every 5 years
Correct answer: There is no annual fee — a personal licence carries a one-time application fee but no ongoing annual charge
Unlike premises licences, personal licences do not attract an annual fee — the one-off application fee is paid at the time of application, and the licence remains valid without renewal fees.
Question 4: What is the duration of a personal licence under the Licensing Act 2003?
- 5 years, renewable on retaking the qualification
- Indefinitely — a personal licence does not expire unless forfeited, suspended, or revoked (Correct answer)
- 10 years, subject to a competence review
- Until the holder reaches the age of 65
Correct answer: Indefinitely — a personal licence does not expire unless forfeited, suspended, or revoked
A personal licence is valid indefinitely — it does not require renewal, provided the holder is not convicted of a relevant offence that leads to forfeiture or suspended/revoked by the court.
Question 5: Under the Licensing Act 2003, what is a 'relevant offence' that could affect a personal licence application?
- Any road traffic offence recorded in the last 10 years
- Offences listed in Schedule 4 of the Licensing Act 2003, including alcohol-related offences, drug offences, and offences involving dishonesty or violence (Correct answer)
- Any criminal conviction regardless of type
- Only convictions resulting in a custodial sentence
Correct answer: Offences listed in Schedule 4 of the Licensing Act 2003, including alcohol-related offences, drug offences, and offences involving dishonesty or violence
Schedule 4 lists the specific relevant offences that must be declared on a personal licence application — they include offences of dishonesty, violence, drug offences, and alcohol-specific offences.
Question 6: When a personal licence holder is convicted of a relevant offence, what can the court do?
- Nothing — the court has no power over licensing matters
- The court may order forfeiture or suspension of the personal licence as part of the sentence (Correct answer)
- Only the licensing authority can sanction the personal licence holder
- The court can only issue a formal warning to the licence holder
Correct answer: The court may order forfeiture or suspension of the personal licence as part of the sentence
Under s.129 Licensing Act 2003, a court convicting a personal licence holder of a relevant offence may order forfeiture or suspension of the licence, in addition to any other sentence imposed.
APLH Personal Licence Conditions 1
To which licensing authority should a personal licence application be made?