OK, I have read so much about licences but no simple and to the point explanation. Do Mobile DJ's need:

PPL
PRS
MCPS

or any other (PEL?). I know somewhere I read that if the event is private then no licence is required and all of my events are private. But what about school discos? Anyone who goes to that school can come along, so it is not strictly "invite-only". Are licences down to the venue?

Is there a booklet out there from PPL or someone?

Thanks all.

If you are a DJ covering Family Gatherings and Events and other Private Functions then you don't need to worry about PPL. As confirmed HERE

PRS Website can also be found Here


Technically if you are covering events for a school, then the school should have some form of Entertainment Licence either held individually or by the Local Council / Education Authority. Are you a pupil at the school?, or just a DJ Providing a service?, or Both?. School / University disco's I believe are not classed as public preformances unless the general public are allowed in, or tickets are sold. Schools could easily be classed as Private Events.

I THINK the only time you would need a licence is if you did an office party at the office, even then it could be classed as a private party. The licence is £110 + VAT p.a

On technicalities, if you did any outdoor public events - for example carnivals, fetes etc then you would also need a one-off licence for each event. Even Charity fundraisers would come under this banner.

A good way of putting it, is if the audicence is there by way of private invitation, or part of a closed membership of individuals then you don't need PPL. However if its an open event attended by the public, or tickets have been sold or an admission charged then you would.

Hadn't thought of carnivals

My girlfriend is a part-time fitness instructor and apparently she does need these licences. In fact she finds it hard to understand why she does and I don't!

Her typical class has less attendees than my typical disco, she earns less money for a class (typically only £25) and physically works much harder (I never get as sweaty as she gets!!). But she has to spend more money on licences and insurance.

I know which I would rather do!

I'd rather watch her work too