Licensing and permits

Scrap metal and motor salvage licences

A scrap metal dealer or motor salvage operator must have a licence to trade.

What type of licences are there?

There are two types of licence – a site licence or a collector's licence.

A site licence

A site licence allows you to trade as a scrap metal dealer at any site, or multiple sites, within Liverpool. If you also want to trade in another local authority you will need to apply for a licence from them too.

A collector’s licence

A collector’s licence allows you to trade as a mobile collector and sell or dispose of metal within the Liverpool area.  This includes the sale and disposal of salvageable parts from motor vehicles.

You cannot hold a site licence and a collector’s licence within the one authority area, but you can apply for a site licence with one local authority and a collector’s licence with another local authority.

How to apply

Download the relevant application form and include any supporting documentation that is needed:

  • If you are applying for a site licence and you operate as a company, please attach a scanned version or image of your original Basic Disclosure Certificate with your form.
  • If you are applying for a Collector's Licence or a Site Licence and you are a sole trader or in a partnership, you will also need to attach one of the documents from the table below.

You can return the forms and supporting documentation to us at licensing@liverpool.gov.uk.

Documents you need to provide if applying for a Collector's Licence or Site Licence as a sole trader or partnership

All documents must be a scanned version or image of the original

Documents you need to bring Site licence - company (fee £510.00) Site licence - sole trader or partnership (fee £510.00) Mobile collector (fee £100.00) Variation of site or collector's licence (fee £25) Duplicate licence for site or collector (fee £20)
Basic disclosure certificate Yes Yes Yes    
Photographic ID which must be a Passport OR Driving Licence   Yes Yes    
Proof of address which must be any two of these:

Bank Statement
Utility Bill
Mortgage Statement
Council Tax Bill
Credit Card Statement

  Yes Yes Yes Yes

How much does a licence cost?

  • Site licence (company) - £510.00
  • Site licence (sole trader or partnership) - £510.00
  • Mobile collector - £100.00
  • Variation of site or collector's licence - £25
  • Duplicate licence for site or collector - £20

How long does the licence last for?

The licence will last for three years from the date of issue.

Further information