under licence
Authorised use or operation
Use under licence when an activity or product is legally authorised by another party.
The café sells the products under licence
Which prepositions are used with “licence”?
Licence combines with several prepositions in British English. The best choice depends on whether you mean permission, legal authority, or conditions.
Quick answer
Common prepositions with “licence”
Under licence is common for authorised activity. Licence for + activity or product describes purpose. In licence is uncommon except in fixed legal contexts. Licence with usually introduces accompanying features, not the licence itself.
The software is distributed under licence
She applied for a licence for commercial fishing
The company operates under licence from the brand owner
She applied for a licence for commercial fishing
The company operates under licence from the brand owner
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
licence for + activity
Permission for a specific activity
Use for to show what the licence allows.
They received a licence for alcohol sales
licence to + verb
Permission to do something
Use licence to followed by a verb to express authorised action.
She has a licence to practise medicine
licence of + type
Description or classification
Of sometimes appears in formal descriptions such as types of licence.
This is a licence of limited duration
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
under licence
The toys are made under licence.
Produced with official permission.
licence for
He applied for a licence for street trading.
Permission for a particular activity.
licence with
The package comes with a licence with extended support.
With introduces an accompanying feature, not a standard fixed phrase.
in licence
The phrase appears in some legal contexts.
Rare and specialised; not common everyday English.
licence of
The report mentions several types of licence.
Classification or description.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using “under licence” for possession
Under licence means authorised operation, not ownership.
✕ I keep the licence under licence. ✓ The product is sold under licence.Using “licence for do something”
Use licence to + verb, not for + verb.
✕ a licence for drive ✓ a licence to driveConfusing British and American spelling
Licence is the British noun spelling.
✕ driving license ✓ driving licenceUsing “in licence” in ordinary situations
This phrase is rare outside legal language.
✕ The shop works in licence. ✓ The shop operates under licence.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The film was released ___ licence.
2. She applied for a licence ___ import chemicals.
3. They need a licence ___ taxi services.
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Frequently asked questions
Is “under licence” common?
Yes. It is widely used for authorised production, distribution, or operation.
Can I say “licence for driving”?
Yes. “Licence for driving” is possible, but “driving licence” or “licence to drive” is more common.
Is “in licence” natural English?
It is rare and mainly limited to specialised legal contexts.
Related preposition guides
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