The final hurdle between you and your personal licence is the exam for the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH). It has a reputation for being straightforward — and it is, if you prepare properly. Candidates who skim the material and rely on “common sense” are exactly the ones who end up paying for a resit. Here’s what to expect.
The format
- 40 multiple-choice questions, four options each
- Pass mark: 70% — 28 correct answers out of 40
- Closed book, completed in a single timed sitting
- With our online course, the exam is invigilated remotely seven days a week — you sit it at home with a webcam, no test centre required
What the questions cover
The syllabus follows the Licensing Act 2003:
- The licensing system — personal and premises licences, TENs, clubs
- The four licensing objectives (expect several questions)
- The roles of the licensing authority, police and responsible authorities
- Duties of a personal licence holder; authorisation of sales
- Alcohol-specific offences — sales to children, drunkenness, proxy purchasing
- Rights of entry, and the specific numbers: notice periods, fines, age thresholds
The questions that catch people out
- The numbers. How many days a police objection window lasts, TEN limits, maximum fines. These are pure memorisation — write yourself a one-page number sheet and drill it.
- “Who does what.” Candidates mix up the licensing authority, the police and the courts. Know which body grants, which objects, and which convicts.
- Children on premises. The distinctions between unaccompanied under-16s, 16–17-year-olds and alcohol with a table meal are tested nearly every paper.
- Near-miss options. Two answers will often look right; the difference is a single word like “must” vs “may”. Read every option before answering.
A study plan that works
Morning: work through the course material once, taking notes on every number and time limit. Afternoon: do the practice questions, review every wrong answer back to the source material. Evening: re-drill your number sheet, then book the exam while it’s fresh. Most of our candidates pass first time on exactly this one-day plan.
If things don’t go to plan
Don’t panic — you can book a resit quickly and cheaply, and second-attempt pass rates are very high. But the cheapest resit is the one you never need: take the practice questions seriously before your first sitting.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the APLH exam?
It’s a Level 2 qualification — comparable to GCSE-level difficulty. With a day of genuine preparation, the pass rate is very high; unprepared candidates fail on the memorised details, not the concepts.
Can I take the exam online?
Yes — our exams are remotely invigilated seven days a week. You need a quiet room, photo ID and a device with a webcam.
How quickly do I get my result and certificate?
Results are confirmed shortly after the sitting, with the certificate issued within days — fast enough to get your council application in the same week.
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