SIA Door Licensing Law (Licensing Act 2003) 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What must happen to the DPS status of premises when the current DPS leaves their role?
- A new DPS must be designated within 2 months or alcohol sales must cease (Correct answer)
- The premises can continue operating for up to 12 months without a DPS
- The premises licence is automatically revoked
- The local authority takes over as temporary DPS
Correct answer: A new DPS must be designated within 2 months or alcohol sales must cease
If the DPS leaves, the premises must designate a new DPS promptly; the licence holder can continue operating briefly but cannot sell alcohol without a named DPS in place.
Question 2: Under the Licensing Act 2003, which licensable activity requires a licence or TEN?
- Regulated entertainment and the retail sale of alcohol (Correct answer)
- Playing recorded music at low volume
- Serving soft drinks
- Holding private functions with no alcohol
Correct answer: Regulated entertainment and the retail sale of alcohol
Licensable activities include the retail sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment (live music, dancing, films) and late-night refreshment; they all require authorisation under the Act.
Question 3: What is 'due diligence' in the context of age verification on licensed premises?
- Taking all reasonable steps to verify age, such as using a recognised Challenge 25 scheme (Correct answer)
- Relying on customers' verbal confirmation of age
- Checking ID only for customers who appear under 16
- Conducting CCTV review after each shift
Correct answer: Taking all reasonable steps to verify age, such as using a recognised Challenge 25 scheme
Due diligence requires active steps to prevent underage sales; using Challenge 25 and accepted forms of ID (passport, driving licence, PASS card) demonstrates a reasonable precaution defence.
Question 4: Which form of ID is specifically recognised under the PASS scheme for age verification?
- PASS-holographic cards such as CitizenCard (Correct answer)
- Any bank card with a photo
- A student union membership card
- A gym membership card
Correct answer: PASS-holographic cards such as CitizenCard
The PASS (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) accredits specific age-verification cards bearing the PASS hologram; these are widely accepted as valid proof of age in licensed venues.
Question 5: What is the 'late-night levy' and who does it affect?
- A charge on premises licensed to sell alcohol after midnight, contributing to policing costs (Correct answer)
- A fine for venues causing noise after midnight
- A tax on all licensed premises in England
- A levy on all door supervisors working after midnight
Correct answer: A charge on premises licensed to sell alcohol after midnight, contributing to policing costs
The late-night levy allows local authorities to charge premises licensed for late-night alcohol sales to help fund policing and other costs associated with late-night economy management.
Question 6: A venue's licence includes a condition requiring 'SIA-licensed door supervisors'. What does this mean for staffing?
- Only SIA-licensed door supervisors may work on the door; using unlicensed staff breaches the licence (Correct answer)
- It is a recommendation only
- SIA licensing applies only to venues with over 500 capacity
- It applies only on Friday and Saturday nights
Correct answer: Only SIA-licensed door supervisors may work on the door; using unlicensed staff breaches the licence
Where a licence condition requires SIA-licensed door supervisors, employing unlicensed staff is a breach of the licence conditions and could lead to a review or revocation.
SIA Door Licensing Law (Licensing Act 2003) 3
What must happen to the DPS status of premises when the current DPS leaves their role?