Scrap Metal Dealers must apply to their local authority for a licence under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. We act as the principle regulator but the Act gives authorities powers to refuse a licence and powers to revoke licences if the dealer is considered ‘unsuitable’.
Scrap Metal Dealer
A person carries on business as a scrap metal dealer if the person:
- carries on a business which consists wholly or partly in buying or selling scrap metal, whether or not the metal is sold in the form in which it was bought, or
- carries on business as a motor salvage operator so far as that does not fall within paragraph 1
Motor Salvage Operator
- A person carries on business as a motor salvage operator if the person carries on a business which consists:
- wholly or partly in recovering salvageable parts from motor vehicles for re-use or sale and subsequently selling or otherwise disposing of the rest of the vehicle for scrap,
- wholly or mainly in buying written-off vehicles and subsequently repairing and reselling them,
- wholly or mainly in buying or selling motor vehicles which are to be the subject (whether immediately or on a subsequent re-sale) of any of the activities mentioned in paragraphs (1) and (2), or
- wholly or mainly in activities falling within paragraphs (2) and (3).
Licence types
The 2013 Act brings in two types of licences either a site licence or a collectors’ licence. A person can only hold one of these licences in a Local Authority’s area, but can hold a licence in more than one Local Authority.
Apply for a licence
To apply for a scrap dealers licence you can apply online.
Proof of identity
Please ensure you have read and understood the proof of idenitiy guidance before you submit your application
We are a part of the European network for delivering information relating to doing business in the European Economic Area. For full information on the EU Services Directive and Points of Single Contact for other member states from the European Commission.