Personal Licence Holder Duties

Who is the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)?

• AThe owner of the premises
• BA person with a personal licence responsible for day-to-day compliance with licensing conditions✓
• CAn external supervisor
• DA temporary position

Answer: The DPS is a named person holding a valid personal licence who has day-to-day responsibility for ensuring the premises operates in compliance with its licence and conditions.

What are the main responsibilities of a DPS?

• AJust pouring drinks
• BEnsuring compliance with licensing conditions, staff training, managing refusals, and reporting to the licensing authority✓
• CNo specific responsibilities
• DOnly cleaning

Answer: DPS responsibilities include ensuring licensing law compliance, training staff, managing refusals of service, handling incidents, maintaining records, and communicating with the licensing authority.

Must every licensed premises have a DPS?

• ANo, only large ones
• BYes, the Licensing Act 2003 requires it✓
• COnly pubs, not bars
• DOptional

Answer: Yes, every premises with a premises licence must have a named Designated Premises Supervisor holding a valid personal licence.

What happens if the DPS is absent from the premises?

• AThe premises must close
• BAnyone can run the premises
• CIt depends on the licence conditions, but the DPS's duties may be shared with another personal licence holder✓
• DNo one is in charge

Answer: While the DPS is responsible, in their absence another personal licence holder may be designated to act. The licence conditions determine this. The premises cannot operate without appropriate supervision.

What is the penalty for breaching licence conditions?

• AJust a warning
• BA fine of £10
• CUp to 6 months imprisonment and/or fines up to £20,000✓
• DOnly premises closure

Answer: Breaching licence conditions is a serious offence with penalties up to 6 months imprisonment and/or unlimited fines (up to £20,000 in summary conviction), plus possible licence review.

What must be notified to the licensing authority if the DPS changes?

• ANothing
• BOnly if the police ask
• CThe change in DPS must be notified within 14 days✓
• DAt the next annual review

Answer: Changes to the DPS must be notified to the licensing authority within 14 days. This is an important requirement to maintain transparency and licensing oversight.

What is a 'licensing condition'?

• AA suggestion
• BA mandatory requirement attached to a licence that must be followed✓
• COptional guidance
• DA recommendation

Answer: A licensing condition is a mandatory requirement that the licence holder must comply with. Breach can result in enforcement action, suspension, or revocation of the licence.

What types of conditions can be attached to a premises licence?

• AOperating hours only
• BConditions promoting any of the four licensing objectives✓
• COnly about alcohol sales
• DNo conditions possible

Answer: Conditions can relate to any of the four licensing objectives, including operating hours, layout, training, refusal policies, CCTV, capacity, and management procedures.

What is a 'standard condition'?

• AA suggested practice
• BA condition automatically applied to all premises licences by the Secretary of State✓
• COnly for pubs
• DOptional

Answer: Standard conditions are automatically applied to all premises licences and cover issues like access for licensing officers, incident recording, and responsible retailing.

Can a personal licence holder be responsible for an offence even if they weren't present?

• ANo, only if present
• BYes, as DPS or personal licence holder, they can be liable for staff breaches✓
• COnly the staff member is liable
• DNever the personal licence holder

Answer: A personal licence holder, particularly a DPS, can be liable for breaches even if absent if they failed to ensure adequate staff training or supervision.

What must be recorded in a premises incident book?

• ANothing, it's optional
• BDetails of serious incidents such as violence, injuries, and police involvement✓
• CAll customer visits
• DOnly big incidents

Answer: Premises should maintain an incident book recording serious events such as violence, injuries requiring first aid, police attendance, and refusals of service.

What is a 'licence review'?

• AAn annual profit check
• BA formal process where the licensing authority reconsiders the premises licence based on evidence relating to licensing objectives✓
• COnly for failing premises
• DA suggestion

Answer: A licence review is a formal process where the licensing authority (or after representations from interested parties) reconsiders the licence conditions or revokes it if it's breaching licensing objectives.