How to get a scrap metal collector’s licence
Do you need one, how to apply to your council, what it costs, what documents you’ll need – and the waste carrier registration most collectors forget.
- ✓Who needs one door-to-door collectors
- £Cost £100–£300 per council
- ⏱Processing usually 4–8 weeks
- 3Lasts 3 years
- +Also needed waste carrier registration
Quick answer: in England and Wales, if you collect scrap metal door to door you need a collector’s licence from every council area you collect in, under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. Fees are set by each council (typically £100–£300), applications usually take 4–8 weeks, and a licence lasts 3 years. Most collectors also need to register as a waste carrier. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules – check with your council.
Collector’s licence vs site licence
You collect from homes & businesses
For mobile collectors who pick up scrap and take it to a yard. You need one from each council area where you collect. It covers you, not a premises.
You run a yard or premises
For anyone running a site where scrap metal is received, stored or sold. You can’t hold both a site and a collector’s licence from the same council.
How to apply
Choose your areas
List every council area you’ll collect in – you need a separate licence and fee for each one.
Get the form
Each council has its own application, usually online on its licensing pages.
Gather documents
ID, proof of address, a recent basic DBS check and your vehicle details (see the list below).
Pay & submit
Pay each council’s fee. Most take 4–8 weeks – chase it if you’ve heard nothing after 6.
What you’ll need
- Photo ID – passport or driving licence
- Proof of address – recent utility bill or bank statement
- Basic DBS certificate – usually less than 3 months old
- Right to work in the UK – if your council asks
- Vehicle details – registration, make and model, and proof you own it or may use it
- Waste carrier registration – or proof you’ve applied
Don’t forget the waste carrier registration
Carrying other people’s waste – including scrap and old appliances – usually means registering as a waste carrier with the environment regulator: the Environment Agency (England), Natural Resources Wales, SEPA (Scotland) or NIEA (Northern Ireland). Councils often ask for it with your licence application.
Once you’re licensed
📒 Keep records
Record what you collect – description, weight, date and time, and who it came from – and keep records for 3 years.
🪪 Check ID
Verify and record the ID of anyone who gives or sells you scrap.
💳 No cash
You can’t pay cash for scrap metal – use bank transfer or cheque and keep the payment record.
📄 Carry your licence
Keep a copy with you when collecting and show it if asked. Renew at least 8 weeks before it runs out.
Tip: Scrap4Free collectors can do waste transfer notes in the app – see digital waste transfer notes.
Licence questions
Do I need a licence to collect scrap metal?
In England and Wales, yes – if you collect scrap metal door to door you need a collector’s licence from each council area you work in. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules, so check with your local council.
How much does a scrap metal licence cost?
Each council sets its own fee – typically between £100 and £300 for a collector’s licence, which lasts 3 years. You pay separately for every council area.
How long does it take to get a licence?
Usually 4–8 weeks. Apply early, and chase the council if you’ve heard nothing after about 6 weeks.
Do I need a licence for every council?
Yes – a collector’s licence only covers the council area that issued it. If you collect across several areas, you need one from each.
Do I also need a waste carrier licence?
Usually, yes. If you transport other people’s waste, including scrap and appliances, you’ll normally need to register as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, SEPA or NIEA.
What if my application is refused?
Councils can refuse if they don’t think you’re suitable – for example because of relevant convictions. You can appeal to the magistrates’ court, usually within 21 days.
Licensed? Get local jobs.
Scrap4Free sends you collection requests from customers near you – washing machines, cookers, boilers, scrap metal and more.