How to Get Your Alcohol Personal Licence (APLH): A Step-by-Step Guide

David Lawrence

Health & Safety Training Specialist

Clock Icon  2 min read

Getting your personal licence to sell alcohol in England and Wales involves a strict four-step process. The order of these steps is critical, as background checks expire quickly if you order them too soon!

Here is exactly what you need to do to get licensed:

Step 1: Pass Your APLH Course and Exam

Before you can apply to the council, the government requires you to hold an accredited Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) qualification. The course covers the Licensing Act 2003, your legal responsibilities, and age verification laws, finishing with a 40-question multiple-choice exam.

👉 Book your 100% online, local-authority-approved course with Health & Safety Training 1st.

Step 2 – DBS Check

Complete for a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check. The fee for this check is £21.50 and it is completed entirely online through the Government Gateway. The link to start this process is found here.

The following information / documentation will be required during the application:

  • GOV.UK One Login (You’ll be able to create a GOV.UK One Login if you do not already have one)
  • Your personal addresses for the last 5 years (including the dates you lived at each address)
  • Passport
  • Driving licence (if you have one)
  • National Insurance number

The application service is open from 8am to 11:30pm every day and the application should take around 10 minutes. A response is commonly given in hours, but can take up to 3 working days.

Step 3 – Disclosure of Convictions & Declaration

Complete the form “Disclosure of convictions and declaration” from the government website. This form can be downloaded from here.

The form will need to be printed and completed by hand, with signatures in ink.

Step 4 – Personal Licence Application Form

Complete the form “Personal licence application” from the government website. This form can be downloaded from here.

The form will need to be printed and completed by hand, with signatures in ink.

If you have completed the APLH Qualification with our course, the information for Section 2 is below:

  1. I hold an accredited licensing qualification
  2. Qualification details
  3. Name of Qualification (Date of issue (found on certificate) + Highfield)

Step 5 – ID Photographs

The application will require 2 passport-style ID photographs that are printed. 

One of the photographs will need to be signed by a counter-signatory declaring that the photograph is a true likeness of yourself.

Information about how to present these ID photographs can be found in this document from Brighton & Hove Council here.

Step 6 – Apply with Local Authority

Once all the steps above have been completed it is time to compile all of this information and submit the application to your local authority. This will be the local council for your home address. 

The best way to find the application process for your local council is to search Google for “Personal Alcohol Licence application in *your area*” and then navigate to your local council’s official website. 

The cost for the application process is £37.00. Normally the local authority requires the application to be sent in by post, and they will contact you later in order to take payment via. credit / debit card.

The application sent into the local authority should include the following documents:

  • The 2 passport-style ID photographs (one that is signed as covered previously)
  • Proof of accredited qualification (printed certificate)
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (printed certificate)
  • Disclosure of convictions and declaration
  • Personal licence application
  • Proof of right to work in the UK (either scanned UK or Irish passport / birth certificate or Home Office Right to Work check)

Cheque for £37.00 made out to the Local Authority (if the local authority requires payment with application)venue is located. Once granted, your personal licence lasts indefinitely and does not need to be renewed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does a personal licence last?

A UK personal licence lasts indefinitely. The requirement to renew your licence every 10 years was abolished by the Deregulation Act 2015. However, if you change your name or move house, you must notify the local council that issued your licence so they can update it.

How much does it cost to get a personal licence?

In total, you should expect to pay around £145 to £180. This breaks down into three main costs:

  • The APLH Course: Varies by provider, but typically £85 – £120.
  • Basic DBS Check: £21.50 (Standard GOV.UK fee).
  • Local Council Fee: £37.00 (Standard national fee). You may also need to pay a small fee to get your passport photos printed and endorsed.

Can I get a personal licence if I have a criminal record?

Yes, but it depends on the nature of your convictions. You must declare any unspent “relevant offences” (which generally include offences related to alcohol, drugs, violence, or dishonesty) on your application. If you have a relevant offence, the police can object to your application, and the council will hold a hearing to decide whether granting the licence would undermine crime prevention.

How old do you have to be to get a personal licence?

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a personal licence in England and Wales. You must also have the legal right to work in the UK.hances of passing on the first attempt.