When do you need a TV licence?
From time to time the CAI receives enquiries from people seeking impartial advice on whether they need to have a TV licence. In short, you need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone, games console or DVD/video recording devices.
In other words if the device you have has the ability to receive and display live TV – you need a TV licence.
You do not need a television licence to catch-up on television programmes in iPlayers, only when you watch or record at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is being broadcast or otherwise distributed to the public. Anyone in the UK watching or recording television as it's being broadcast or simulcast on any device - including mobiles, laptops and PCs - must, by law, be covered by a valid TV licence.
A 'live' TV programme is a programme, which is watched or recorded at the same time (or virtually the same time) as it is being broadcast or otherwise distributed to members of the public. As a general rule, if a person is watching a programme on a computer or other device at the same time as it is being shown on TV then the programme is 'live'. This is sometimes known as simulcasting.
However, the majority of UK households will already be covered by an existing television licence for their main TV set. In other words you don’t need an additional licence for other devices in the home if you already have one for that address.
You don’t need a licence for:
- Any device powered solely by its own internal batteries (i.e. it is not connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains). Your main home’s TV Licence will cover this.
- Boats, touring caravans or vehicles as they’re already covered by your main home’s TV Licence.
- Static caravans, mobile homes or moveable chalets. Your main home’s TV Licence will cover you provided you don’t watch TV in both homes at the same time. In this case you would need to complete a declaration form (help with this can be found via the link below).
What if you have a second home?
You may need to be covered by a separate TV Licence if you watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV in your second home. This includes the use of devices such as a TV, computer, mobile phone, games console, digital box or DVD/recorder.
This usually only applies if the homes are viewing at the same time. In many cases your main home’s TV Licence may cover your second home – for example if you leave your main home for a while to occupy the second home as a retreat or vacation premises. However, you can’t move your licence to cover your second home while you’re there and then move it back again.
For advice on TV viewing in a second home or in offices, shops, clubs, community buildings, residential homecare, sheltered accommodation, hotels, schools, colleges and hospitals check out the TV licensing website;