Personal licences

You must apply to the council in whose area you live, not where you work, this may not be Tower Hamlets. You must also include the disclosure of convictions and declaration.

Download the application forms:

What information do I need to include with the application?

With the application and declaration, you must include:

Two photographs (one endorsed)
The rules for the photographs are very specific, so you need to make sure you have complied with them. The photograph must be:
- taken against a light background so that the applicants features are distinguishable and contrast against the background
- sized 45 millimetres by 35 millimetres
- full face uncovered and without sunglasses or head covering (unless worn due to religious belief)

Proof of a recognised qualification
A recent Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
(Please note that DBS certificates must be issued no earlier than calendar month of the licence application being submitted to the licensing authority)
The specified fee (£37)
Online payments can be made on the payments page. 
You can a make a telephone payment on 020 7364 5008.
Proof of right to work in the UK
This can include passport or Share Code (see prove right to work)

We encourage all applications for personal licences to be made electronically by sending the application and documents to licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk See the main page for our contact details and information on how to appeal or complain.

Please send any applications to us. See the main page for our contact details and information on how to appeal or complain.

The Secretary of State has accredited the following personal licence qualifications:

Accredited personal licence qualification providers

Basic disclosure

Basic disclosure checks can be obtained from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Renewal of personal licence

The requirement to renew personal licences issued under the Licensing Act 2003 has been abolished with effect from 1 April 2015.

This means that if you have not already applied to renew your licence and it was due for renewal after the 1 April 2015 you need not do so now as it will no longer have an expiry date.

All licences issued after that date will be issued without an expiry date but as a matter of routine we will not be reissuing existing personal licences to show no expiry date.

Although you are no longer required to renew your licence, all personal licence holders must notify the licensing authority that issued their licence if there is any change to their name or address, if they are convicted of a relevant or overseas offence, or if they become liable to pay an immigration penalty.

'Relevant offence' refers to the offences listed in the Act that could, on conviction, rule out the grant or renewal of a personal licence to the applicant concerned. The offences include:

those involving serious crime
those involving serious dishonesty
those involving controlled drugs
certain sexual offences
offences created by the Act.

If you are charged with a relevant offence, you must produce your personal licence to the court. If that is not practical, you must tell the court that you have a personal licence, who the issuing authority is, and why you can't produce the licence.

Failure to produce, or notify the court about your licence, without reasonable excuse, is an offence under section 128 of the Act. The sentence on conviction of this offence is a fine of up to £500, and could result in the forfeiture or suspension of the licence.

If you are convicted of a relevant offence, an offence committed abroad, or have to pay an immigration penalty, you must tell the licensing authority that issued your personal licence as soon as possible. You should provide details of the offence or penalty, including the date it occurred and any sentence you received.

In these circumstances, the licensing authority may decide to suspend your licence for up to six months or revoke it altogether.

Similarly it is an offence to fail to tell the licensing authority that issued the licence of all changes of name and address of the licence holder.

Please be aware that if your licence was issued after the 6 April 2017 it will lapse if you cease to be entitled to work in the UK.