You get your TV licence from TV Licensing. For help and information, please see the TV Licensing website, call the helpline on 0300 790 6071 (textphone 0300 790 6050), or write to TV Licensing, Bristol BS98 1TL.
You can pay for the licence in a number of ways: by Direct Debit, by debit or credit card, in cash, by cheque or by bank electronic transfer. Depending on the way you choose, you can pay online, at a PayPoint outlet, by post, over the phone or at your bank.
The annual cost of a colour TV licence is £145.50 (as from 1 April 2010). A black and white TV licence is £49.
You don't have to pay the full cost in one go – you can spread it over the year in monthly or quarterly payments, at regular intervals through the cash payment plan, or by using a TV Licensing savings card.
If you are 75 or over, the licence is free. If you are blind or severely sight-impaired, the licence is half price. In both cases, you must still apply for the licence.
Do I need a TV licence?
You need a TV licence to use any television receiving equipment – such as a TV set, set-top box, video or DVD recorder, computer or mobile phone – to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV.
