To wrap up this guide there are a few important things that you need to know and remember about your Personal Licence. As ever, here's the video with notes to follow below.
What the licence looks like
There are two parts to it – a paper certificate and a credit card-sized card. The licence holder must have the card on them at all times that they are supplying or authorising the supply of alcohol. The certificate should be kept safely.
Duration and renewal
The licence lasts for ten years, at which point the holder must apply for renewal. There is a two-month window for renewal starting five months before the licence expires.
The form for renewing the Personal Licence is here and the fee payable is £37 at the time of writing.
Alternatively, if a holder decides they no longer want the licence then it can be surrendered by simply sending it back to the Licensing Authority that issued it and informing them of the intention to surrender it.
Updating information on the licence
If the licence holder moves house or changes their name the Licensing Authority must be told so they can issue an updated licence. This is done by sending:
- A letter including the details that are to be changed
- The original Personal Licence - both the card and certificate parts; and
- A cheque for £10.50
If the licence holder moves to an area that is covered by a different Licensing Authority this does not matter – the Authority that grants the licence to begin with will remain the relevant authority for as long as that licence lasts.
Theft, loss, destruction or damage
If your licence suffers any of the above fates then a duplicate can be requested from the Licensing Authority. In this case a letter and a cheque for £10.50 must be sent to them.
If the licence is stolen then it must be reported to the police. The resulting crime number must be given to the Licensing Authority as proof that this has been done.
Convictions while holding a Personal Licence
If a licence holder is charged with a relevant offence it must be produced to the court or, if this is not possible, the court must be notified of the licence as they may order forfeiture or suspension of it. If such a ruling is made it is for the court to notify the Licensing Authority of the forfeiture.