SIA Door Supervisor Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   How many licensing objectives are there under the Licensing Act 2003 in England and Wales?

   • A4
   • B5
   • C6
   • D3
   Show answer

   Answer: A. 4

   They are the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which is one of the four licensing objectives in England and Wales?

   • APromoting late-night drinking
   • BMaking as much profit as possible for local businesses
   • CThe protection of children from harm
   • DReducing the price of alcohol
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The protection of children from harm

   Door supervisors help premises meet the licensing objectives, including protecting children from harm.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Which licensing objective exists in Scotland but not in England and Wales?

   • ASecuring public safety
   • BProtecting and improving public health
   • CPreventing crime and disorder
   • DPreventing public nuisance
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   Answer: B. Protecting and improving public health

   The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 has five objectives, including protecting and improving public health.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Who issues premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003?

   • AThe Security Industry Authority
   • BThe police
   • CThe Home Office
   • DThe local licensing authority (the council)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The local licensing authority (the council)

   In England and Wales the council is the licensing authority. In Scotland, licensing boards do this.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Under the Licensing Act 2003, who is the "designated premises supervisor" (DPS)?

   • AThe most senior door supervisor on shift, as named by the venue
   • BThe owner of the building the venue rents
   • CThe police licensing officer for the area
   • DThe personal licence holder named on the premises licence
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   Answer: D. The personal licence holder named on the premises licence

   Premises that sell alcohol must have a DPS who holds a personal licence. In Scotland the equivalent role is the premises manager.

6. Question 6 of 25

   If a premises licence requires door supervisors, what must be true of them?

   • AThey must be over 30
   • BThey must be police officers
   • CThey must be employed directly by the venue
   • DThey must hold an SIA licence
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   Answer: D. They must hold an SIA licence

   A mandatory condition under the Licensing Act 2003 requires individuals carrying out security activities at licensed premises to be SIA-licensed where the licence requires door staff.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Under section 141 of the Licensing Act 2003, what is an offence?

   • ASelling soft drinks after midnight
   • BKnowingly selling alcohol to a person who is drunk
   • CRefusing entry to a customer who is under 18 and has no ID
   • DAsking a customer for ID
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   Answer: B. Knowingly selling alcohol to a person who is drunk

   It is an offence for staff to knowingly sell or attempt to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk on relevant premises.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Under section 143 of the Licensing Act 2003, a person who is drunk or disorderly commits an offence if they:

   • ALeave the premises as soon as they are asked
   • BWait quietly in the queue outside
   • CAsk the bar staff politely for a glass of water instead of another alcoholic drink
   • DFail to leave when asked by an authorised person, without reasonable excuse
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   Answer: D. Fail to leave when asked by an authorised person, without reasonable excuse

   A drunk or disorderly person who refuses to leave, or tries to enter after being told not to, commits an offence.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Under section 140 of the Licensing Act 2003, what is an offence for staff at licensed premises?

   • ARefusing entry to a customer who is already drunk and loud
   • BKnowingly allowing disorderly conduct on the premises
   • CCalling the police about a fight
   • DChecking customers' ID
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Knowingly allowing disorderly conduct on the premises

   People who work at licensed premises must not knowingly allow disorderly conduct there.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What is the minimum age to buy alcohol in licensed premises in the UK?

    • A21
    • B17
    • C16
    • D18
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    Answer: D. 18

    It is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18, and for a person under 18 to buy or try to buy it.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Which is an offence under section 149 of the Licensing Act 2003?

    • AA customer buying a soft drink for a child
    • BA door supervisor asking for ID
    • CA 19-year-old buying a drink for themselves with their own ID
    • DAn adult buying alcohol on behalf of someone under 18
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An adult buying alcohol on behalf of someone under 18

    Buying or trying to buy alcohol for a person under 18 is an offence, with limited exceptions for some meals.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What must a premises' mandatory age verification policy require, as a minimum?

    • AA bank card with a signature from everyone
    • BNo ID at all, if the person says they are old enough and looks it
    • CID only from people who look under 16
    • DPhoto ID with a date of birth and a hologram or UV feature, from anyone who looks under 18
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Photo ID with a date of birth and a hologram or UV feature, from anyone who looks under 18

    Policies can be stricter, such as Challenge 21 or Challenge 25, but must at least meet this standard.

13. Question 13 of 25

    In Scotland, the age verification policy must require ID from customers who appear to be under what age?

    • A18
    • B25
    • C21
    • D30
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 25

    Licensed premises in Scotland must operate an age verification policy based on Challenge 25.

14. Question 14 of 25

    A young person shows an ID card where the photo does not look like them. What should a door supervisor do?

    • AAsk a friend in the queue to confirm out loud that the ID really belongs to them
    • BAccept it because it has a hologram
    • CAsk questions to check, and refuse entry if not satisfied the ID belongs to them
    • DKeep the person's ID and let them in
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Ask questions to check, and refuse entry if not satisfied the ID belongs to them

    The photo, date of birth and security features must all match. If in doubt, refuse entry and record it.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Which is a lawful reason for a door supervisor to refuse entry?

    • AThe person is of a particular religion
    • BThe person is drunk
    • CThe person is from a particular ethnic group
    • DThe person is a wheelchair user
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The person is drunk

    Refusing entry because of a protected characteristic is unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Being drunk is a lawful reason.

16. Question 16 of 25

    How should a door supervisor refuse entry to a customer?

    • ALoudly, in front of the whole queue, so others know the rules are enforced
    • BBy saying nothing and turning their back
    • CBy pushing the person away
    • DPolitely and firmly, giving a reason where appropriate, and record it
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Politely and firmly, giving a reason where appropriate, and record it

    A polite, clear refusal reduces conflict. Records help if there is a complaint or later incident.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Why do venues count customers in and out?

    • ATo work out tips for staff
    • BTo find out who is single
    • CBecause it is required by the Data Protection Act for every venue
    • DTo make sure the venue does not go over its safe capacity
    Show answer

    Answer: D. To make sure the venue does not go over its safe capacity

    Overcrowding can lead to crushing and makes evacuation dangerous. Clickers or electronic counters help track numbers.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which is a sign that a crowd may be getting dangerously packed?

    • APeople queueing in a calm, slow-moving line outside
    • BPeople sitting at tables
    • CPeople leaving in small groups
    • DPeople being pushed and unable to move freely
    Show answer

    Answer: D. People being pushed and unable to move freely

    Crowd pressure can quickly become a crush. Report it and follow the venue's crowd management plan.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What is good practice when managing a queue outside a venue?

    • AKeep it orderly, check for vulnerable or drunk people and keep the pavement clear
    • BLet people push to the front
    • CAllow drinking in the queue to keep people happy while they wait outside in the cold
    • DIgnore the queue until it reaches the door
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Keep it orderly, check for vulnerable or drunk people and keep the pavement clear

    Good queue management prevents disorder and nuisance and lets staff spot problems early.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What is the first step in ejecting a customer who has broken the venue's rules?

    • AAsk them to leave, explain why and give them a chance to go
    • BTake their phone until they leave
    • CHold them in a head lock straight away
    • DPush them firmly towards the door so they know you really mean it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Ask them to leave, explain why and give them a chance to go

    Most people leave when asked politely. Force is only a last resort and must be reasonable.

21. Question 21 of 25

    A customer who has been asked to leave refuses. What should the door supervisor consider before using physical intervention?

    • AWhether the customer is small enough to lift
    • BWhether other customers are watching
    • CWhether the manager has finished their shift and gone home
    • DWhether it is necessary, lawful and proportionate
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Whether it is necessary, lawful and proportionate

    Physical intervention must be a last resort, used only when lawful and necessary, and with the least force needed.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Why should door supervisors think about a customer's welfare when ejecting them?

    • ASo they can sell the customer more drinks later, once they have calmed down
    • BThe person may be vulnerable, for example very drunk, alone or injured
    • CBecause the customer might leave a bad review
    • DWelfare is not a door supervisor's concern
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The person may be vulnerable, for example very drunk, alone or injured

    Door supervisors have a duty of care. A vulnerable person should not be put out alone in a dangerous situation.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which customer is most likely to be vulnerable at closing time?

    • AA young woman who is very drunk and has lost her friends
    • BA couple walking to a nearby hotel
    • CA group of sober friends getting into a taxi they booked earlier
    • DA member of staff leaving with colleagues
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A young woman who is very drunk and has lost her friends

    Alcohol, being alone and being separated from friends increase the risk of harm.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A person asks the bar staff for "Angela". What does this usually mean?

    • AThey feel unsafe and need help to get away from someone
    • BThey want to order a special cocktail
    • CThey want to make a complaint to the manager about the loud music
    • DThey are looking for a member of staff by name
    Show answer

    Answer: A. They feel unsafe and need help to get away from someone

    Ask for Angela is a scheme that lets people discreetly ask staff for help if they feel unsafe.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Which behaviour may show a person is a sexual predator targeting vulnerable customers?

    • ABuying a round of drinks for their own group of friends at the bar
    • BAsking where the toilets are
    • CTrying to leave with a very drunk person they did not arrive with
    • DDancing with friends
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Trying to leave with a very drunk person they did not arrive with

    Door staff should watch for people targeting vulnerable customers and step in, following venue procedures.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 70% in each main multiple-choice exam (72 questions and 50 questions); 80% in the physical intervention exam