Skip hire permits: Why you need one and how to avoid the paperwork

So you’ve got everything ready for your home clear-out or refurbishment, but have you considered that you might need a skip hire permit (also referred to as a skip hire licence)?

If you’re planning on hiring a skip to be kept outside your property on the public road, you’ll need to wait for your permit to be approved before your container can be delivered.

Here’s everything you need to know about skip hire permits in the UK.

Why do you need a skip hire permit in the UK?

Anybody who wants to hire a skip in the UK must comply with section 139 of the Highways Act 1980, which requires all containers kept on public roads to have a skip hire permit.

The reason for this is to make sure the skip isn’t posing a danger to other road users or restricting access to emergency vehicles.

On top of the permit, your skip may also be required to display reflective markings, traffic cones, safety lights and contact details for the skip hire company (SunSkips takes care of all that as standard).

 

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Failure to follow local authority restrictions for using a public highway for your skip hire could land you with a fine of up to £1,000 and your skip may be removed without notice.

Is a skip hire permit always necessary?

If you have a private driveway or land on your property to keep the container on without blocking access, a skip hire permit isn’t necessary.

Also, if your property is on an unadopted road that does not have to be maintained by the highway authority, then you may also be exempt from obtaining a permit.

It’s best to check with your local authority or skip hire company before you decide whether or not you need a permit so you don’t run the risk of a fine down the road.

How do you get a skip hire permit?

Most local authorities require the skip hire company to apply for the licence directly. SunSkips is happy to do this, but not all skip hire companies offer the service.

A typical skip hire permit is valid for between one week and one month, so depending on your local authority, it’s important to time your application so it covers your entire skip hire period (although you can usually extend your permit if you need to).

How much do skip hire permits cost?

The fee for your skip hire permit depends on which local authority you need to apply to.

SunSkips charges a flat rate of £110 (VAT included), which is mostly made up of the council fee, plus an administrative fee for taking care of it all.

You can add on your skip hire permit when you book either online or over the phone.

How long does it take to get a skip hire permit?

A skip hire permit application usually takes five days to be approved, but can sometimes take longer.

If you don’t book your skip with enough notice for your permit to be approved, you may face a delay in your delivery. SunSkips can’t place your skip on a public road until your permit has been approved.

Applying well in advance is wise in the unlikely event that your local authority deems it necessary to decline your application for a skip hire permit.

This would usually be due to concerns over restricted access for traffic or pedestrians, which may be the case for containers larger than eight yards (the biggest skip local authorities typically allow on a public road).

You may also find that you’ve applied at a time when there are several other skips on the road and it’s simply a case of there being too many containers out at once. This is more likely to occur in the spring/summer season or during a popular local event where traffic control is important.

Let us know whether or not you need a skip hire permit when you book over the phone or online.