Book Personal Licence Training Online 2026: Step-by-Step

Table of Contents

• What You'll Need Before You Book Personal Licence Training
• APLH Qualification Requirements Explained
  • England and Wales: APLH Level 2
  • Scotland: SCPLH Certificate
• Step 1: Choose Your Online Course and Book It
• Step 2: Complete the Course and Pass the Exam
• Personal Licence Application DBS Check: What You Need to Know
• Cost of Personal Licence 2026: Course Fees and Council Charges
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Personal Licence Training Online
• Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: September 16, 2026

What You'll Need Before You Book Personal Licence Training

Booking personal licence training online 2026 starts with three things: a device with a reliable internet connection, a form of photo ID, and a decision about which nation's qualification you need (England and Wales or Scotland). This guide from Knight Training walks through the full process, from choosing a course to sitting the exam, so you know exactly what to expect.

A personal licence is the authorisation issued by a licensing authority that allows an individual to sell alcohol, or authorise its sale, in licensed premises.

Before you book anything, confirm you meet the basic criteria. You must be at least 18 years old, hold the right to work in the UK, and have no relevant unspent convictions. You do not need to have a job offer in place first, though most people complete the training because an employer has asked them to be able to authorise the sale of alcohol or become the designated premises supervisor.

Have these ready before you start:

• A laptop, desktop or tablet with a working webcam and microphone
• Photo ID that matches the name you'll register with
• Your National Insurance number for the application stage
• A payment card for the course fee and any council charges
• A quiet space for the remotely invigilated exam

APLH Qualification Requirements Explained

The APLH qualification is the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders, the recognised qualification for anyone applying for a personal licence in England and Wales. The qualification covers licensing law, the responsibilities of a licence holder, and how to promote the four licensing objectives.

There is no prior qualification needed to enrol. The course is designed for complete beginners, and providers typically deliver it as a short online programme with an exam at the end. Once you pass, your certificate does not expire.

England and Wales: APLH Level 2

In England and Wales, the APLH Level 2 certificate is the qualification you need before applying to your local council. GOV.UK guidance on personal licences confirms that applicants must hold an accredited licensing qualification and be aged 18 or over.

The course is delivered entirely online, with the exam taken remotely under invigilation. Most learners complete the study element in a day or two, then book the exam when they feel ready.

Scotland: SCPLH Certificate

Scotland uses a different qualification: the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders, or SCPLH. It is a legal requirement to hold this certificate before applying to your local Licensing Board.

The content differs from the APLH because Scottish licensing law is separate. If you plan to work in Scotland, book the SCPLH course rather than the English equivalent. Knight Training runs a dedicated Scottish Personal Licence Course Online (SCPLH) covering the Scottish framework, with the exam completed remotely and a free resit included.

Step 1: Choose Your Online Course and Book It

Choosing a course comes down to three checks: the awarding body accreditation, whether the exam is included, and whether the price covers what you actually need. An online course should give you instant access to learning materials, a clear exam process, and tutor support.

A learner sitting at a kitchen table with a laptop open, browsing an online course booking page, with a cup of tea and a notepad beside them

Work through this checklist before you enter your card details:

• Confirm the course leads to an accredited qualification (APLH or SCPLH)
• Check whether the exam fee is included or charged separately
• Ask whether a free resit is offered if you fail
• Confirm the exam is remotely invigilated and works on your equipment
• Check whether application support is included or sold as a separate package

Knight Training's Personal Licence Course Online (APLH Level 2) covers England and Wales at £125.00, with instant portal access, a full e-book study guide, tutor Q&A support, and one free resit exam included. If you want the application handled for you, the full package with application service at £258.08 combines the course, the exam and the licence application in one booking.

Once you've booked, login details arrive by email. You can study at your own pace with no deadlines, which suits shift workers and anyone fitting study around a job.

Step 2: Complete the Course and Pass the Exam

The study element is self-paced. The exam is multiple choice and taken online under remote invigilation, so you need a quiet room, a working webcam, and photo ID to hand.

Personal Licence Course Online (APLH →

A common mistake is rushing the exam booking before finishing the modules. The assessment tests applied knowledge of licensing law, not memorised definitions, so the practice questions inside the course matter more than speed.

If you fail, don't panic. Knight Training includes one free resit with every course booking, so a bad exam day doesn't mean paying twice. Once you pass, your certificate is issued and you can move to the application stage.

Personal Licence Application DBS Check: What You Need to Know

The personal licence application DBS check is a basic disclosure, not a full enhanced check. It shows unspent convictions, and it forms part of the evidence you submit with your application to the licensing authority.

You cannot apply for a personal licence without it. The disclosure is dated, so don't order it months before you intend to apply. Councils will only accept a disclosure that is less than 30 days old and an out-of-date one will be rejected.

Alongside the DBS check, your application will typically need:

• Your accredited qualification certificate
• Two passport-style photographs, one signed by a countersignatory
• Proof of your right to work in the UK
• The completed application form and the council's fee

In England and Wales, the application goes to the licensing authority for the area where you live, not where the premises are (Personal licences). In Scotland, it goes to the Licensing Board for the area where the premises are located. Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons applications stall.

Knight Training's application service exists precisely because this stage trips people up. The team reviews the evidence pack, checks the disclosure is current, and submits everything in the right order to the right body. For anyone who has had an application rejected before, that review step is usually where the difference lies.

Cost of Personal Licence 2026: Course Fees and Council Charges

The cost of personal licence 2026 breaks into two parts: the training provider's fee and the licensing authority's charge. The course fee is set by the provider; the council fee is set by the authority and is not negotiable.

Knight Training's course fees are fixed and published:

This includes the cost of the fee that your council or Licensing Board charges to process the application.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Personal Licence Training Online

Most problems with online personal licence training trace back to five avoidable errors. None of them are complicated, but each one costs time or money to fix.