The GOV.UK Licence Finder helps you identify which licences, permits and registrations your business needs, based on what you do and where you operate. It may not include every licence you need.
Licensing requirements vary by activity, location and sector. Operating without a required licence is usually a criminal offence, with penalties that can include fines, closure orders or imprisonment.
- Alcohol premises licence
- £100 to £1,905 in England and Wales, by rateable value; apply to your council
- Food business registration
- Free; register with your council at least 28 days before trading
- Late night refreshment
- Covered by a premises licence; hot food or drink 11pm to 5am
- Waste carrier registration
- £191.02 upper tier, £130.25 to renew every 3 years (England)
- Street trading licence
- Fee set by your council
- Regulated entertainment
- Usually covered by a premises licence
- Taxi and private hire
- Driver, vehicle and operator licences from your council; fees vary
Licence categories covered
The Licence Finder includes:
- Premises and property, such as alcohol licensing, late night refreshment, planning permission, building regulations and HMO licensing
- Food and catering, such as food business registration and mobile food vendors
- Transport, such as taxi and private hire, goods vehicle operator licences and public service vehicles
- Entertainment and events, such as live music, theatre, cinema, outdoor events and temporary event notices
- Retail and trading, such as street trading, market stalls, Sunday trading and scrap metal dealing
- Environmental, such as waste carrier registration, environmental permits, water abstraction and discharge consents
- Professional and care services, such as FCA authorisation (financial services), care home and domiciliary care registration, and childcare registration in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Sector-specific licences, such as pet shops, animal boarding, dog breeding, tattooing, gambling, fireworks and firearms
Important notes
Most businesses need more than one licence. For example, a restaurant needs food business registration (free), a premises licence to sell alcohol (£100 to £1,905 in England and Wales) and possibly permission for late night refreshment.
Licences are separate from registering your business with Companies House or HMRC. Set up your business structure first, then apply for the licences your activities need.
Some licences must be renewed, such as taxi licences, while others, such as premises licences, last until they are varied, surrendered or revoked. Check the renewal date when you receive each licence.
Fees, processing times and requirements vary between councils, so check with your local licensing authority.