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Scrap Metal Licensing

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act requires scrap metal dealers, collectors, and motor salvage operators to be licensed by the local authority in which they are based / operating in. A summary can be found here with further detail in the links below. 

  • A scrap metal dealers licence for scrap metal dealers and motor salvage operators who operate from a particular site
  • A collector’s licence for mobile metal collectors who operate by collecting scrap in the borough of Milton Keynes but do not have a fixed site of operations in the borough
  • If you wish to make a complaint about a Scrap Metal Dealer or Operator, please complete the Licensing Complaints Form.

Both licences will be valid for three years. It is not possible for the same applicant to hold both types of licences from the same authority but you may hold licences with more than one authority. You will still need to hold a valid Waste Carriers Licence issued by the Environment Agency.

A copy of the Council's current Scrap Metal Dealers Policy 2026–2029 can be found below.

The policy sets out the principles the Council will apply when carrying out its functions under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, including the determination, renewal, variation, suspension and revocation of scrap metal licences - Scrap Metal Policy 2026-29.pdf 

You can subscribe to updates to receive information via e-mail regarding arrangements for committee meetings.

Please see the Regulatory Services - Licensing Fees. 

Note: there is a separate licence grant fee which is payable prior to issue of some licences.

  • The application form
  • The relevant fee
  • Evidence of your right to work in the UK either with a British passport, a UK or Irish birth or adoption certificate, or a share code if you are not a British citizen.  A share code is available from https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work
  • You will need to complete and provide evidence of a tax check which is available from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/complete-a-tax-check-for-a-taxi-private-hire-or-scrap-metal-licence  
  • A basic DBS check for every person named on the application (these must be dated within three months of the application). A DBS check can be obtained from the Disclosure and Barring Service
  • Photographic evidence and proof of address for every person named on the application by production of a valid Great Britain or Northern Ireland photo-card driving licence or a valid EU passport and a recent utility bill
  • A passport style photograph of all those named on the application
  • An Environment Agency Waste Carrier’s Licence
  • A plan of the site (for site applications)

As part of the application process an applicant’s identity needs to be verified, although you may apply by post it is advisable for applications to be made in person to the licensing team at Civic Offices as any documents that are received by post will be returned by standard second class post and no responsibility will be taken for documents lost in the post.

Before attending Civic offices please contact the licensing team  to make an appointment. Without an appointment it cannot be guaranteed that you will be seen and your application accepted.

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