SIA Door Licensing Law (Licensing Act 2003) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Licensing Act 2003, what is the minimum age for selling alcohol in licensed premises?
- 18 (Correct answer)
- 16
- 21
- 17
Correct answer: 18
The legal minimum age for selling or supplying alcohol in England and Wales is 18; anyone younger is prohibited from making such sales unless supervised by an adult over 18 in some retail contexts.
Question 2: A venue's premises licence is being reviewed following a serious incident. Who can call for a review?
- Police, environmental health, other responsible authorities or any interested party (Correct answer)
- Only the police
- Only the licence holder
- Only the local council chief executive
Correct answer: Police, environmental health, other responsible authorities or any interested party
A licence review can be requested by any responsible authority (such as police) or by interested parties such as local residents, with the licensing authority deciding the outcome.
Question 3: What does 'early morning restriction order' (EMRO) allow a local authority to do?
- Restrict the sale of alcohol during specified early morning hours in a defined area (Correct answer)
- Close all licensed premises before midnight
- Extend licensing hours for special events
- Restrict entry to licensed premises to over-21s
Correct answer: Restrict the sale of alcohol during specified early morning hours in a defined area
An EMRO allows local authorities to restrict the sale of alcohol between midnight and 6am in areas with persistent alcohol-related problems.
Question 4: What must be prominently displayed at the entrance of licensed premises?
- A summary of the premises licence (Correct answer)
- The DPS's personal licence
- The CCTV monitoring notice
- The venue's fire risk assessment
Correct answer: A summary of the premises licence
The Licensing Act 2003 requires a summary of the premises licence to be displayed prominently at or near the entrance so it is visible to the public.
Question 5: A door supervisor is asked to admit an under-18 to a premises with an 'over-18s only' condition. What should they do?
- Refuse entry as the licence condition must be complied with (Correct answer)
- Admit the person if accompanied by an adult
- Seek permission from the DPS first
- Admit the person but inform them of the condition
Correct answer: Refuse entry as the licence condition must be complied with
Licence conditions are legally binding; an 'over-18s only' condition means no under-18 may enter regardless of accompaniment, and breaching this risks the licence.
Question 6: What is a 'personal licence' under the Licensing Act 2003?
- A licence allowing an individual to authorise the sale of alcohol in licensed premises (Correct answer)
- A licence required by all door supervisors
- A permit to sell tobacco products
- A licence allowing use of CCTV on licensed premises
Correct answer: A licence allowing an individual to authorise the sale of alcohol in licensed premises
A personal licence under the Licensing Act 2003 authorises a named individual (the DPS) to allow the supply of alcohol on licensed premises; it requires a licensing qualification and DBS check.
SIA Door Licensing Law (Licensing Act 2003) 2
Under the Licensing Act 2003, what is the minimum age for selling alcohol in licensed premises?