Restaurant Server and Host Course (UK): Serving alcohol legally and responsibly

1. Question 1 of 17

   Which law covers alcohol licensing in England and Wales?

   • AThe Equality Act 2010
   • BThe Consumer Rights Act 2015
   • CThe Licensing Act 2003
   • DThe Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005
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   Answer: C. The Licensing Act 2003

   The Licensing Act 2003 applies in England and Wales. Scotland has the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, and Northern Ireland has its own law.

2. Question 2 of 17

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

   • AThe protection of children from harm
   • BProtecting the British brewing and pub industry
   • CIncreasing alcohol sales
   • DKeeping prices low
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   Answer: A. The protection of children from harm

   The four objectives are preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance and protecting children from harm.

3. Question 3 of 17

   Scotland has an extra licensing objective. What is it?

   • AReducing staff costs
   • BProtecting and improving public health
   • CPromoting Scottish drinks and local produce
   • DSupporting late opening
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   Answer: B. Protecting and improving public health

   The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 adds protecting and improving public health to the objectives.

4. Question 4 of 17

   Under the Licensing Act 2003, what is the offence in section 146?

   • ARefusing to sell alcohol to an adult
   • BAsking a guest for ID
   • CServing a soft drink to a child
   • DSelling alcohol to a person under 18
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   Answer: D. Selling alcohol to a person under 18

   Section 146 makes it an offence to sell alcohol to an individual aged under 18.

5. Question 5 of 17

   Under section 146, when has a seller taken "all reasonable steps" to check age?

   • AWhen the customer's friend said they were over 18
   • BWhen they asked for evidence of age and it would have convinced a reasonable person
   • CWhen the customer said they were over 18
   • DWhen the customer was already drinking
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   Answer: B. When they asked for evidence of age and it would have convinced a reasonable person

   Both parts matter: you must ask for evidence, and the evidence must be convincing to a reasonable person.

6. Question 6 of 17

   Under the mandatory licensing conditions in England and Wales, what must photo ID show to meet an age verification policy?

   • AA name and an address
   • BA signature and a bank logo
   • CA photograph, a date of birth and a hologram or ultraviolet feature
   • DA photo only
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   Answer: C. A photograph, a date of birth and a hologram or ultraviolet feature

   Photo ID must carry the person's photograph, date of birth and either a holographic mark or an ultraviolet feature. Since 15 September 2026, a policy may also allow digital ID checked by a registered provider.

7. Question 7 of 17

   Your venue runs Challenge 25. What does that mean?

   • AStaff ask for ID from anyone who looks under 25
   • BCustomers under 25 pay more
   • CStaff must check ID for every 25th customer who orders
   • DOnly people aged 25 or over may drink
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   Answer: A. Staff ask for ID from anyone who looks under 25

   Challenge schemes ask for ID from people who look younger than the age set (21 or 25), giving a safety margin above 18.

8. Question 8 of 17

   In Scotland, when must staff take steps to check a customer's age under the mandatory conditions?

   • AWhen the customer may be under 21
   • BOnly when police are present
   • CWhen the customer may be under 18
   • DWhen the customer may be under 25
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   Answer: D. When the customer may be under 25

   Scotland's mandatory age verification policy applies to customers who appear to be under 25.

9. Question 9 of 17

   In England, a 17-year-old is having a table meal with her parents. Who may buy her a glass of wine to drink with the meal?

   • ANo one, in any situation
   • BOnly the restaurant manager
   • CHer parent (an adult aged 18 or over) who is with her at the meal
   • DShe may buy it herself
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   Answer: C. Her parent (an adult aged 18 or over) who is with her at the meal

   In England and Wales, an adult may buy beer, wine or cider for a 16 or 17-year-old to drink with a table meal when an adult is with them.

10. Question 10 of 17

    Under the 16 and 17-year-old table meal exception in England and Wales, which drinks are allowed?

    • ABeer, wine or cider
    • BSpirits only if mixed
    • CAny drink, including spirits
    • DOnly alcohol-free drinks
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    Answer: A. Beer, wine or cider

    The exception covers only beer, wine or cider bought by an adult for drinking at a table meal.

11. Question 11 of 17

    Can a 17-year-old server sell alcohol in a restaurant in England?

    • AOnly if they hold a personal licence
    • BOnly if a customer agrees
    • CNever, under any circumstances
    • DYes, if the sale is approved by the licence holder, manager or another responsible person
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    Answer: D. Yes, if the sale is approved by the licence holder, manager or another responsible person

    Under-18s may make sales when a responsible person has approved them. GOV.UK confirms 16 and 17-year-olds can serve alcohol in a restaurant with approval.

12. Question 12 of 17

    What does section 19 of the Licensing Act 2003 say about who authorises alcohol sales?

    • AEvery server must hold a personal licence
    • BSales need police approval
    • COnly the owner may serve alcohol
    • DEvery sale must be made or authorised by a personal licence holder
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    Answer: D. Every sale must be made or authorised by a personal licence holder

    Servers do not each need a personal licence, but every supply must be made or authorised by someone who holds one.

13. Question 13 of 17

    In Scotland, what training must staff who serve alcohol (and do not hold a personal licence) have completed?

    • APrescribed training of at least 2 hours
    • BA first aid certificate
    • CA university course
    • DNo training at all
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    Answer: A. Prescribed training of at least 2 hours

    The Licensing (Training of Staff) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 set training of at least 2 hours. A training record must be kept on the premises.

14. Question 14 of 17

    A guest is slurring, unsteady and loud, and orders another pint. What should you do?

    • APolitely refuse and tell your manager
    • BServe a half pint instead
    • CServe them, as they are paying
    • DAsk their friend to order it for them
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Politely refuse and tell your manager

    It is an offence for staff to knowingly sell alcohol to a person who is drunk. Refuse calmly and get support.

15. Question 15 of 17

    Which promotion is banned as "irresponsible" by the mandatory licensing conditions?

    • AA discount on soft drinks
    • BA game where people must drink as much as possible within a time limit
    • CA free glass of tap water
    • DA set menu with a wine pairing at a fixed price
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    Answer: B. A game where people must drink as much as possible within a time limit

    Drinking games with time limits or "as much as possible" rules are listed as irresponsible promotions.

16. Question 16 of 17

    In England and Wales, a guest who has not said how much wine they want asks for "a glass of the house red". What must they be made aware of?

    • AThat a 125 ml glass is available
    • BThat glasses over 250 ml are banned
    • CThat house wine is the strongest
    • DThat they must buy a full bottle
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    Answer: A. That a 125 ml glass is available

    Still wine must be available in 125 ml glasses, and customers who do not specify must be made aware of the small measures.

17. Question 17 of 17

    Under the mandatory licensing conditions, what must licensed premises give customers free on request?

    • ADrinkable tap water, where reasonably available
    • BA free taxi
    • CBottled water
    • DA free soft drink
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Drinkable tap water, where reasonably available

    Free potable water must be provided on request where it is reasonably available. Scotland has a similar rule.

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