{"id":33927,"date":"2025-05-23T12:43:19","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T12:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/?p=33927"},"modified":"2025-11-27T17:57:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T17:57:24","slug":"apply-personal-license-scotland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/apply-personal-license-scotland","title":{"rendered":"Get a personal licence in Scotland"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\"Scottish<\/p>

If you want to sell alcohol in Scotland, you need a personal licence. This licence is essential because it allows you to be the person in charge of authorising alcohol sales in a venue, like a bar, pub, or restaurant.<\/p>

Getting a personal licence is a process, but it\u2019s straightforward if you know what to do. In this guide, we\u2019ll explain exactly what steps you need to take, who can apply, and what documents you\u2019ll need. By the end, you\u2019ll know everything to get your personal licence and start selling alcohol legally.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

What Is a Personal Licence and Do You Need One?<\/strong><\/h2>

In Scotland, a personal licence<\/strong> is required if you\u2019re responsible for authorising the sale of alcohol in a licensed venue. This means that if you\u2019re managing a pub, restaurant, or bar, or if you\u2019re the person in charge of alcohol sales, you must have a personal licence.<\/p>

To be clear, there are two types of licences you need:<\/p>

  1. Premises Licence:<\/strong> This is for the venue itself (e.g., a pub or restaurant).<\/li>
  2. Personal Licence:<\/strong> This is for the person who manages or supervises alcohol sales at the venue.<\/li><\/ol>

    If you’re going to be the one making sure alcohol is appropriately sold, you\u2019ll need a personal licence.<\/p>

    Before you begin the process of applying, it helps to know exactly what a personal licence allows you to do. This licence isn\u2019t just a legal requirement, it\u2019s a key that gives you certain responsibilities and privileges when it comes to selling alcohol in Scotland. Whether you want to run a pub, apply for a Designated Premises Manager (DPM) role, or work in any venue where alcohol is sold, having a personal licence shows you understand how to do so legally and safely.<\/p>

    To make things clear, here\u2019s a quick visual summary of what being a personal licence holder in Scotland actually means:<\/p>

    \"A<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Who Can Apply for a Personal Licence in Scotland?<\/strong><\/h2>

    To apply for a personal licence in Scotland, there are some basic requirements<\/strong> you need to meet:<\/p>

    1. Age:<\/strong> You must be at least 18 years old.<\/li>
    2. Training:<\/strong> You must complete an accredited SCPLH training course<\/strong> (Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders).<\/li>
    3. DBS Check:<\/strong> You must pass a Disclosure Scotland<\/strong> (DBS) check to make sure you don\u2019t have any serious criminal convictions.<\/li>
    4. Right to Work:<\/strong> You must be legally allowed to work in the UK.<\/li><\/ol>

      As long as you meet these basic requirements, you can move forward with applying for your personal licence.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a Personal Licence<\/strong><\/h2>

      Now let\u2019s review the steps you must follow to apply for a personal licence. It\u2019s essential to take your time and follow each step carefully.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Step 1: Complete the SCPLH Training Course<\/h3>

      The first step is to complete the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH)<\/strong><\/a> <\/span>course. This course will teach you all the necessary information about alcohol laws, including the rules for selling alcohol responsibly.<\/p>

      You can find accredited SCPLH courses online or in person. Once you finish the course, you\u2019ll get a certificate, which you\u2019ll need for the next steps.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Step 2: Get Your DBS (Disclosure Scotland) Check<\/h3>

      After completing your SCPLH training, you\u2019ll need to get a Basic Disclosure<\/strong> (DBS check) to ensure you have no serious criminal convictions. You can apply online.<\/p>

      It\u2019s essential to apply for this check within one month<\/strong> of completing your training. This ensures everything is up-to-date when you submit your application.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Step 3: Gather Your Documents<\/h3>

      Once you have your SCPLH certificate and DBS check, you must gather a few more documents. These are the documents you\u2019ll need to submit with your application:<\/p>