There are two types of scrap metal dealer licence, which one you need depends on how your business is organised.

Site licence

A site licence is required by businesses operating fixed sites, such as a collection yard to which people bring metal to sell, a storage facility where metal which has been received is stored prior to processing or disposal, an industrial unit at which vehicles are dismantled or repaired, or an office from which the business is carried on or where vehicles are kept when not in use. This licence also enables the operator to transport scrap metal to and from those sites.

Collector’s licence

A collector’s licence is required by businesses which do not operate any fixed sites and which collect metal by way of visits from door-to-door. A licence will be required from each council in whose area it is intended to collect.

You may not hold a site licence and a collector’s licence issued by the same council at the same time.