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
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