Skip Licence

To place a skip onto a public road you will need a skip licence

LICENCE Name

Skip Licence

AUTHORITY

Local council

TIME TO GET LICENCED 4 days
COST £30.00
VALID FOR 1 week
ELIGIBILITY 18+ years
QUALIFICATION(S) NEEDED N/A
STEPS TO GET LICENSED
1

Submit application via local council

Visit - https://www.gov.uk/apply-skip-permit
Submit requested documentation
Get Licenced

Find Your Course

Find your course

What is a Building skip Licence?

If you're having work done within your property that needs materials, rubbish, solids etc to be removed and stored temporarily on your street then this must be done using a skip.

A skip is a large open-topped waste container designed for loading onto a special type of lorry. Instead of being emptied into a bin lorry on site, as a wheelie bin is, a skip is removed, or replaced by an empty skip, and then tipped at a landfill site or transfer station.

To place a skip onto a public road you will need a skip licence.

In most areas, skip hire companies are responsible for getting skip licences, also sometimes called skip permits. In some areas you’ll need to do it yourself.

The skip owner or supplier is responsible for ensuring that all appropriate regulations are adhered to.

Please note – A skip licence is not required on private property

How to apply for a Skip Licence

To apply for a skip licence, all applications must be made via your local council.

Information on how to do this and what local authority to contact can be found on the Official UK Government Website.

How long does it take to get a skip licence?

Often it takes at least three or four days for you to receive your skip licence. However, the exact timeframe varies depending on your specific local council.

When your local council receive your application for a skip licence they will normally consider the following during the application process.

These conditions normally include:

traffic on the street where you'd like the skip

danger and disruptions caused

width of the road

access to the property

planned or existing roadworks

Please note – The council has the right to refuse skip permit applications on certain restricted roads and locations where skips may cause on obstruction e.g. restricted parking areas and narrow roads.

Fines and penalties

It is an offence under The Highways Act to put a skip in the road without a permit and this may result in prosecution.

If you place a skip onto a public road with a skip licence, you could be fined up to £1,000.

FAQs

No. Skips are not permitted to be placed on public pavements.
No. You don’t need a skip licence if you’re putting the skip entirely on private land.
Each local council will have their own timeframe of when a skip is allowed to be placed on a public road. This can range from 14 days to 1 month. Please check with your local council for specific time duration and allowance.
No. You cannot put hazardous or harmful items into a skip. These include but are not limited to TVs, computer monitors, asbestos, tyres, fluorescent tubes, fridges, paint and paint tins (unless empty), plasterboard, batteries, medical waste, gas cylinders, liquids, solvents, oil, petrol, diesel and explosives. Please check with your local council for a list of specific restricted items.
You may need to put safety lights and markings on or around the skip. This could include, reflective markings, traffic cones and night-time safety lamps. Contact your local council to find exact rules for lights and markings in your area and if you will have to proceed with this requirement.