Before placing skips on the highway, the owner or supplier must first be granted a skip operator's licence under the Highways Act (it is not the responsibility of the builder or householder to obtain this licence). See regulations relating to skip licences for more information.

When your company has registered as a skip operator, you will then receive a skip permit application form with terms and conditions.

Fee

• £40 for a new skip permit - valid for 15 working days
• £25 to extend a skip permit - valid for another 15 working days

Payment can be made electronically by any debit or credit card issued by a bank in the EEA.

Timescales

You can expect your licence to be processed within five working days.

Does tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that we must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.

How to apply

You can apply online using Business Link:

• apply for your skip permit online
• extend or renew your existing skip permit online

Or you can fax or email a completed application form to our Licensing and Streetworks Administration Team.

• Skip licence application form - Excel (xls format, 52 KB)
• Skip licence application form - PDF (pdf format, 34 KB)

Please apply at least five working days before your start date.

If permission has been granted, the conditions attached to the licence must be carefully read and kept to. It is the owner or supplier's responsibility to ensure that the skip does not cause obstruction to other road users, and that it complies with government regulations.

Conditions

• A licence can be valid for any period between one day and 15 days. For longer periods additional applications should be made.
• Only one skip will be allowed on site at any one time except in exceptional circumstances.
• Whenever possible, skips should be placed on the road. If permission is granted to place skips on a footway or grass verge, a deposit is payable to cover any damage which may be caused.
• Skips placed on the road require at least four traffic cones on the approach side to guide traffic past the skip.
• During the hours of darkness, in poor daytime visibility and bad weather, road danger lamps (flashing amber) must be placed against or attached to each corner of the skip. If sited on the road, a lamp should be placed between each cone.
• Skips placed on the highway must not contain any inflammable, explosive or noxious material, or anything which is likely to cause nuisance to highway users.
• the contents of the skip should be kept 'damped-down' or covered to prevent dust or spillage.
• It must not be overloaded, and must be removed when full.
• Conditions for placing skips on a public highway (pdf format, 32 KB)

Who to contact

Licences will be issued by our Licensing and Streetworks Administration Team, and any questions regarding procedures or licences should be directed to them.

For operational advice (such as siting or feasibility), please contact the Highway Enquiries Team.

Complaints about a person or trader licensed by us

In the event of a complaint contact the trader, preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of posting/delivery). If that fails and you are located in the UK, contact Consumer Direct for advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.