Apply for a licence

New applicants

If you want to apply for a licence, you should contact the AALS and ask for an application pack. 

Adventure Activities Licensing Service
44 Lambourne Crescent
Cardiff Business Park
Llanishen
CARDIFF
CF14 5GG

Or telephone:
029 2075 5715

Or Email:
info@aals.org.uk

There is a fee of £715 to be paid when you submit your application – unless the fee is sent with your application, it will not be processed.

Once your application is received, it will be checked to ensure we have all the required information. It will then be sent to one of the inspection team who will contact you to arrange a date to carry out an inspection. After the inspection, the inspector will discuss the inspection with you and will prepare a report. The report will include a recommendation of how long your licence should be for.  The report may include requirements – things you should do either before a licence can be issued or within a certain time. There may also be advice in the report – things you may wish to consider doing or noting, advice will not affect the licensing decision.  The report will be considered by the Head of Inspection, who will formally decide whether or not to issue a licence and what the duration should be. 

If your application is successful, then your licence document will be sent to you, along with a copy of your report. The licence remains the property of the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority and must be returned on request.

Renewal of an existing licence

You will be reminded in good time before your licence expires and will be asked to apply for a renewal if you wish. You will need to pay the licence fee before your renewal can be processed.

Representations and appeals

If your application is unsuccessful, you will be told why and be given the opportunity to have the Head of Inspection review the decision. If you are still not satisfied, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority. The Authority can either decide to issue a licence, issue a licence with special conditions or uphold the decision to refuse to issue a licence. You can appeal the decision of the Authority and if you wish to take this option, you will be given details of how to do this.