A scrap metal dealer or motor salvage operator must have a licence to trade. There are two types of licence: 

1. A Scrap metal dealers licence application will be required where a business is carried on as a scrap metal dealer at a premise. A site manager will be required to be named for each site. The licensee will then be permitted to operate from that site as a scrap metal dealer including transporting to and from those sites from any local authority area.
2. A Scrap metal dealers licence application authorises the licensee to operate as a mobile collector in the area of the issuing local authority permitting them to collect scrap metal as appropriate. This includes commercial as well as domestic scrap metal. If a mobile collector operates within more than one local authority’s district, a licence will be required for each authority that (s)he operates in.

Exemptions

If scrap metal is a by-product of your business you may be exempt from the need to be licensed, it will be necessary for you to prove the proportion of your business that consists of dealing in scrap metal.

Mobile Collectors

Mobile Collectors who work in different council areas will have to apply for a collectors licence in each of those areas. You must contact the relevant council to obtain an application form. Every person working on a vehicle collecting scrap metal must be licensed unless they are properly employed by a business licensed for a site or as a collector. 

DBS Certificate

Before you apply, you and every person listed on the application form, need to obtain a Basic Disclosure Certificate.

Registration Fees