On this page: Information about how to apply for a Breakers Yard Licence, and links to application forms.
Licence Details
Any breaker's yard - where vehicles are broken down for parts or scrapping, or where written-off vehicles are restored to road-worthy condition - requires a licence.
Swindon Borough Council only issues licences for breaker's yards within the Borough of Swindon.
Separate regulations also apply to general Scrap Metal Dealers.
Types of Business
These types of works qualify a business as a breaker's yard, which therefore needs to be licensed:
Breaking vehicles down to scrap for recycling or disposal
Taking parts out of vehicles so that they can be used again
Buying up written-off vehicles and repairing them to the point where they can be driven again
Who Must Register
The requirement to register only applies to businesses, but hobbyists may find that they have to register if they rely on a substantial retail side to finance their activities.
Criminal Record Checks
A criminal record check must be carried out before registration can be granted. Applicants will need to supply a 'basic disclosure', which can be applied for online at the Disclosure Scotland website.
The disclosure is only valid for 30 days.
You need to get the disclosure before applying for registration.
Application Form
Online Form
Breaker's Yard Licence Application Form
Downloadable Form
The form is also available as a downloadable PDF file:
Breaker's Yard Licence Application Form
Fees
For handling parts (but never whole vehicles) the fee is £40; in all other cases the fee is £70.
Pay Online
You can pay for the licence using our secure online payments system:
Pay for a Breaker's Yard Licence Online
Further Information
This subject is covered by the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001.
For full details please see the Office of Public Sector Information Website.
See Also: Scrap Metal Dealers