Introduction

This mock examination is designed to help candidates prepare for the Personal Licence qualification required under the Licensing Act 2003 in England and Wales. It assesses understanding of the key legal responsibilities of personal licence holders and others involved in the sale and supply of alcohol.

Format:

Topics covered:

  1. Licensing objectives
  2. The roles and responsibilities of licensing authorities and licence holders
  3. Personal and premises licences
  4. Temporary Event Notices (TENs)
  5. Age verification and protection of children
  6. Enforcement powers and penalties

Questions

Section 1 – Licensing Objectives

  • 1. Which of the following is not one of the four licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003?
    • A. The prevention of crime and disorder
    • B. The protection of public health
    • C. The prevention of public nuisance
    • D. The protection of children from harm
  • 2. The licensing objectives must be promoted by:
    • A. Only the police
    • B. Only personal licence holders
    • C. All those carrying on licensable activities
    • D. The local authority only
  • 3. A licensing authority must consider the licensing objectives when:
    • A. Setting council tax levels
    • B. Determining applications for licences and reviews
    • C. Issuing parking permits
    • D. Inspecting food hygiene

Section 2 – Personal Licence Holders

  • 4. A personal licence authorises an individual to:
    • A. Sell alcohol anywhere in England and Wales without restriction
    • B. Supervise the sale of alcohol in premises with a premises licence
    • C. Operate a taxi business
    • D. Sell alcohol only at their home address
  • 5. Who normally acts as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)?
    • A. The local councillor
    • B. The police licensing officer
    • C. A personal licence holder named on the premises licence
    • D. Any member of staff
  • 6. If a personal licence holder is convicted of a relevant offence, they must:
    • A. Inform the licensing authority as soon as possible
    • B. Do nothing unless asked
    • C. Inform their employer only
    • D. Wait until their licence expires
  • 7. The minimum age to hold a personal licence is:
    • A. 16
    • B. 18
    • C. 21
    • D. 25
  • 8. A personal licence remains valid:
    • A. For one year
    • B. For five years
    • C. Indefinitely, unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked
    • D. Until the holder changes employment

Section 3 – Premises Licences

  • 9. A premises licence authorises:
    • A. The sale and supply of alcohol and other licensable activities at specific premises
    • B. The personal licence holder to sell alcohol anywhere
    • C. Only entertainment events
    • D. The sale of alcohol in any public place
  • 10. The premises licence holder is responsible for:
    • A. Ensuring licensable activities comply with licence conditions
    • B. Setting national alcohol duty rates
    • C. Enforcing age verification laws nationally
    • D. Issuing club premises certificates
  • 11. The operating schedule forms part of:
    • A. The local authority’s planning policy
    • B. The premises licence application
    • C. The fire safety certificate
    • D. The food hygiene inspection
  • 12. A premises licence must be:
    • A. Displayed in a staff-only area
    • B. Kept in a locked drawer
    • C. Displayed prominently at the premises
    • D. Sent to the police each year
  • 13. A variation to a premises licence may be required when:
    • A. The premises are redecorated
    • B. The licence holder changes their name
    • C. The hours for alcohol sales are to be extended
    • D. The business changes its menu

Section 4 – Temporary Event Notices (TENs)

  • 14. A Temporary Event Notice allows:
    • A. A one-off event involving licensable activities without a premises licence
    • B. Unlimited alcohol sales for any event
    • C. The sale of alcohol by anyone under 18
    • D. A permanent change to the premises licence
  • 15. A Standard TEN must normally be given at least:
    • A. 5 working days before the event
    • B. 10 working days before the event
    • C. 20 working days before the event
    • D. 28 working days before the event
  • 16. A Late TEN may be given:
    • A. Between 5 and 9 working days before the event
    • B. On the day of the event
    • C. Only after the event
    • D. At any time within 3 months
  • 17. The maximum number of people permitted at a TEN event (including staff and organisers) is:
    • A. 100
    • B. 200
    • C. 499
    • D. 1,000
  • 18. A personal licence holder may give up to how many TENs per calendar year?
    • A. 5
    • B. 25
    • C. 50
    • D. 100

Section 5 – Age Verification and Protection of Children

  • 19. It is an offence to sell alcohol to a person under:
    • A. 14
    • B. 16
    • C. 17
    • D. 18
  • 20. Which of the following is an acceptable form of age identification?
    • A. A student library card
    • B. A passport
    • C. A handwritten note from a parent
    • D. A bus pass
  • 21. A Challenge 25 policy means:
    • A. Only people aged 25 and over can buy alcohol
    • B. Anyone who appears under 25 must be asked for ID
    • C. Only staff aged 25 or over can sell alcohol
    • D. Alcohol can only be sold between 2 and 5 pm
  • 22. The sale of alcohol to a child by a member of staff may result in:
    • A. A warning only
    • B. A fixed penalty notice or prosecution
    • C. A parking fine
    • D. No action if it was accidental
  • 23. Which licensing objective most directly relates to preventing underage sales?
    • A. Prevention of crime and disorder
    • B. Protection of public safety
    • C. Protection of children from harm
    • D. Prevention of public nuisance

Section 6 – Enforcement and Offences

  • 24. Who has powers to enter licensed premises to check compliance?
    • A. Police officers and authorised officers of the licensing authority
    • B. Any member of the public
    • C. Only the fire service
    • D. Only the premises licence holder
  • 25. A police officer may close premises immediately if:
    • A. The music is too loud
    • B. There is or is likely to be disorder
    • C. The staff are rude
    • D. The toilets are unclean
  • 26. A review of a premises licence may be requested by:
    • A. Only the premises licence holder
    • B. The police, responsible authorities, or any other person
    • C. Only the local MP
    • D. Only the fire authority
  • 27. Selling alcohol without authorisation under the Licensing Act 2003 is:
    • A. A civil matter
    • B. A criminal offence
    • C. Permitted if it is a charity event
    • D. Allowed if under 18s are not present
  • 28. A personal licence may be suspended or revoked if:
    • A. The holder changes address
    • B. The holder is convicted of a relevant offence
    • C. The holder takes annual leave
    • D. The holder changes employer
  • 29. Which of the following is a relevant offence under the Licensing Act 2003?
    • A. Speeding
    • B. Theft
    • C. Littering
    • D. Late payment of council tax
  • 30. The police may issue a closure notice under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 if:
    • A. The premises cause serious nuisance or disorder
    • B. The premises have poor décor
    • C. The staff are untrained
    • D. The premises are closed for refurbishment

Section 7 – Additional Responsibilities and Good Practice

  • 31. Which document must all licensed premises have in place to verify customer age?
    • A. Age Verification Policy
    • B. Fire Risk Assessment
    • C. Health and Safety Poster
    • D. Insurance Certificate
  • 32. A personal licence holder must produce their licence to a police officer or authorised officer:
    • A. Immediately on request or within a reasonable time
    • B. Only if arrested
    • C. Only if working at the premises
    • D. Never
  • 33. The role of the Licensing Authority is to:
    • A. Enforce national alcohol pricing
    • B. Issue and regulate licences in its area
    • C. Set national licensing law
    • D. Conduct police investigations
  • 34. The Home Office issues guidance to:
    • A. Licensing authorities and the courts
    • B. Only the public
    • C. Only the police
    • D. Only the hospitality trade
  • 35. A Club Premises Certificate is used for:
    • A. Private members’ clubs supplying alcohol to members
    • B. Nightclubs open to the public
    • C. Restaurants with table service
    • D. Hotels serving residents
  • 36. The Licensing Register held by the licensing authority is:
    • A. Confidential to the police only
    • B. Open to public inspection
    • C. Destroyed each year
    • D. Only for council staff
  • 37. A Responsible Authority includes:
    • A. The local police and fire service
    • B. Any member of the public
    • C. Only the premises licence holder
    • D. The local newspaper
  • 38. If a DPS leaves their employment, the premises licence holder must:
    • A. Do nothing
    • B. Notify the licensing authority immediately and vary the licence
    • C. Wait until the next inspection
    • D. Cancel the premises licence
  • 39. The sale of alcohol to a drunk person is:
    • A. Permitted if they are over 18
    • B. An offence under the Licensing Act 2003
    • C. Encouraged to increase sales
    • D. Only an offence after midnight
  • 40. The main purpose of the Licensing Act 2003 is to:
    • A. Raise revenue for local councils
    • B. Regulate the sale and supply of alcohol and other licensable activities in line with the licensing objectives
    • C. Control food hygiene
    • D. Restrict all entertainment

Answer Key and Explanations

Q Answer Explanation
1 B Public health is not one of the four licensing objectives.
2 C Everyone involved in licensable activities must promote the objectives.
3 B Licensing authorities must consider the objectives when determining applications and reviews.
4 B A personal licence allows supervision of alcohol sales at licensed premises.
5 C The DPS must be a personal licence holder named on the premises licence.
6 A Licence holders must inform the licensing authority of any relevant conviction.
7 B The minimum age is 18.
8 C Personal licences are valid indefinitely unless revoked or surrendered.
9 A A premises licence authorises licensable activities at specific premises.
10 A The premises licence holder ensures compliance with licence conditions.
11 B The operating schedule is part of the premises licence application.
12 C A summary of the licence must be displayed prominently.
13 C Extending sale hours requires a variation.
14 A A TEN allows a one-off event involving licensable activities.
15 B Standard TENs must be given at least 10 working days before.
16 A Late TENs can be given 5–9 working days before.
17 C The limit is 499 people including staff.
18 C Personal licence holders may give up to 50 TENs per year.*
19 D It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18.
20 B Passports, photo driving licences, or PASS cards are acceptable ID.
21 B Challenge 25 requires ID from anyone appearing under 25.
22 B Underage sales can result in a fixed penalty or prosecution.
23 C Protecting children from harm covers underage sales.
24 A Police and authorised officers have inspection powers.
25 B Police can close premises where disorder is occurring or likely.
26 B Reviews can be requested by responsible authorities or any other person.
27 B Selling alcohol without authorisation is a criminal offence.
28 B Conviction of a relevant offence can lead to suspension or revocation.
29 B Theft is a relevant offence.
30 A Closure notices may be issued for serious nuisance or disorder.
31 A An age verification policy is mandatory.
32 A Licence holders must produce their licence on request.
33 B Licensing authorities issue and regulate licences locally.
34 A The Home Office provides statutory guidance to authorities and courts.
35 A Club Premises Certificates apply to private members’ clubs.
36 B The licensing register is open to public inspection.
37 A Responsible authorities include police, fire, and others.
38 B The authority must be notified and the licence varied.
39 B Selling alcohol to a drunk person is an offence.
40 B The Act regulates licensable activities consistent with the objectives.

*In England and Wales, a person who holds a valid personal licence to sell alcohol may submit up to 50 Temporary Event Notices (TENs) per calendar year.

Key Details Regarding TENs for Personal Licence Holders:

Late TENs must be submitted no later than 5 clear working days before the event (but not earlier than 9), and they count towards the 50-event total.