About the APLH Personal Licence Exam
The Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) is the qualification required before applying for a Personal Licence under the Licensing Act 2003. A Personal Licence is needed to act as a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) at any premises that sells alcohol. The qualification is offered by several awarding bodies including BIIAB, Highfield, and others. The exam tests your knowledge of alcohol licensing law, licensing objectives, and the legal responsibilities of a licence holder.
The exam covers four core areas:
- Licensing Law: the Licensing Act 2003, licensing objectives, the role of licensing authorities, licence types, applications, reviews, and appeals
- Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS): responsibilities of the DPS, what a Personal Licence authorises, relationship to the premises licence, day-to-day obligations
- Social Responsibility: Challenge 25, underage sales, serving intoxicated customers, proxy purchasing, the Portman Group code
- Premises and Conditions: licence conditions, operating schedules, compliance with conditions, temporary event notices (TENs), regulated entertainment
The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, completed in 1 hour. Pass mark is 28 out of 40 (70%).
Important: Without the APLH qualification you cannot apply for a Personal Licence, and without a Personal Licence you cannot be named as DPS on a premises licence. If you are moving into a management role in hospitality, the APLH is a prerequisite, not optional. Failing means rebooking and repaying the exam fee.
Key APLH Personal Licence Facts to Know
- Exam questions: 40 multiple-choice questions
- Pass mark: 28 out of 40 (70%)
- Duration: 1 hour
- Awarding bodies: BIIAB (most common), Highfield ABC, and other approved providers
- Licensing Act 2003: This is the primary legislation, know the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, protection of children from harm
- Challenge 25: Industry policy requiring proof of age from anyone who looks under 25, know the accepted forms of ID
- DPS requirement: Every licensed premises selling alcohol must have a named DPS who holds a Personal Licence
- TENs: Temporary Event Notices allow unlicensed activities at smaller events, know the limits (500 people, 168 hours per year per premises)
- Personal Licence application fee: £37, payable to the local licensing authority after passing the APLH
- Licence duration: A Personal Licence does not expire but you must notify the licensing authority of any relevant convictions
Official licensing authority resources provide no APLH practice questions and no worked examples. Practice Tests UK fills that gap with 100+ realistic questions across all four APLH areas with step-by-step explanations referenced to the Licensing Act 2003.
| Feature | Official Licensing Resources | Practice Tests UK |
|---|
| Practice questions | None | 100+ questions |
| Answer explanations | None | Every question |
| Instant feedback | No | Yes |
| Progress tracking | No | Yes |
| Drill by section | No | Yes |
Free sample: Try 10 free questions below. Use Drill Mode to focus on the section you find hardest.
