Not covered by a TV Licence? You are breaking the law if you:
This applies to any device or provider you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/Blu-Ray/VHS recorder.
You could be prosecuted if we find that you have been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally. The maximum penalty is a £1,000* fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.
*The maximum fine is £2,000 in Guernsey.
A standard TV Licence costs £159 and a black and white licence costs £53.50.
How we can detect if you’re covered by a TV Licence |
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National databaseWe have a database of approximately 31 million licensed and unlicensed addresses. This tells us if your address has a TV Licence. |
Visiting officersAll our visiting officers have access to this database. This means they can check if you have a licence or not. If you tell us that you do not need a TV Licence, our officers may still visit you to confirm this. |
Detector vansWe also have a fleet of detector vans that can detect the use of TV receiving equipment at specifically targeted addresses within minutes. |
Find out more about visits, prosecutions and fines.
Find out more about what happens if you don't pay for a TV Licence (or have a free one).