Scrapyard licensing

Scrap Yards

No person may carry on the business of a scrap metal (recycling of old or damaged metals) dealer unless they are registered to do so by their local authority under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964.

Registration as a scrap metal dealer lasts for 3 years and must be renewed before the expiry date if the registered person wishes to carry on as a scrap metal dealer.

In addition to registration, the dealer must keep at each registered scrap metal store, a book detailing all scrap metal received at that place and all scrap metal either processed at or dispatched from that place.

For more information you can call the Environmental Protection Team on 01865 252552 and request the necessary forms and advice to be sent to your address.

Motor Salvage Operator Licence

The Vehicle (Crime) Act 2001 and the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 require salvage operators to register with the local authority, identify purchasers and vendors, keep records, and gives the police the right to enter without a warrant.

The aim of the act is to reduce vehicle crime by removing opportunities to dispose of stolen vehicles.

It is an offence not to register if your business meets one or more of the following criteria, your business is engaged:-

1. Wholly or partly in the recovery for re-use or sale of salvageable parts from motor vehicles and the subsequent sale or other disposal for scrap of the remainder of the vehicle concerned
2. Wholly or mainly in the purchase of written-off vehicles and their subsequent repair and re-sale
3. Wholly or mainly in the sale or purchase of motor vehicles which are to be the subject (whether immediately or on subsequent re-sale) of any of the activities falling within a) or b)
4. Wholly or mainly in activities falling within paragraphs b) and c)

The Council can refuse registrations to anyone convicted of an offence under the Act, or for any unspent convictions for:

• Theft or attempted theft of or from a motor vehicle
• Taking a motor vehicle without consent
• Aggravated vehicle taking
• Handling stolen goods
• Going equipped to steal or take a motor vehicle
• Interference with a motor vehicle
• Tampering with a motor vehicle 

Page last reviewed 7 Apr 2008