Alert Section

Vehicle and Trailer Permit

Vehicles that don't need a permit

  • Small car
  • Standard car
  • Large family car
  • SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles)
  • 4x4 vehicles (also known as All-Wheel drive)
  • Motorbike
  • Mobility vehicle (size must be with in restrictions of policy - standard or low roof elevation below 7 feet / 2.14 metres and must have mobility aid modifications)

Vehicles and trailers that need a permit

  • All trailers (single and twin axle) max length 2 metres.
  • Pick-ups (all models)
  • Car derived van
  • Small van
  • Medium van (standard or low roof elevation below 7ft / 2.14 metres)
  • Minibus (with internal fixtures intact)
  • Camper vans & motor homes (with inside fittings intact & below 7ft / 2.14 metres)
  • Any van sized vehicle irrespective of category or definition

Trailers are not allowed on site if towed with a vehicle that requires a permit.

A disability vehicle does not require a permit; however, a van sized disability vehicle is not permitted to tow a trailer in line with HRC vehicle restrictions. 

Vehicle and trailer types not accepted

  • Large box van (Luton type)
  • Large goods vehicles (LGVs)
  • Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) / Lorries
  • Tipper vehicles
  • Flatbed vehicles
  • Large vans (XLWB; LWB)
  • Vans with high roof elevations (over 7ft / 2.14 metres)
  • Trailers longer than 2 metres in length
  • Boxed trailers/trailers with extended side panels / modified trailers
  • Trailers with access ramps / transporter trailers
  • Agricultural vehicles / tractors
  • Horse boxes / horse trailers
  • Minibus, campervans, motorhomes stripped of internal fittings.

This list is not exhaustive and non-acceptance is not limited to the vehicle types/sizes listed above.

Residents arriving on site with an empty trailer to collect compost, will not need their permits clipped.

Vehicles with logo / livery / sign writing

In some cases a vehicle with sign writing or logo may be able to apply for a permit. Applications will be determined by sound evidence of the business type and not just by a company name, logo or livery.

Certain sign written vehicles may be issued an annual permit (allowing a maximum of 12 visits), on condition that:

  • the vehicle is registered to a Flintshire residential address for council tax.
  • the trade is not associated with any trade waste.
  • the waste deposited at the HRC has not been or is unlikely to have been produced by the activity of that business or associated business.
  • the only waste presented at the HRC is domestic household waste.

This concession does not apply to a vehicle registered to a business or a waste carrier. If any permit holder is suspected of carrying business derived waste the permit will be revoked and access denied.

One-off permit

For those vehicles that do not conform to the vehicle eligibility criteria, such as a vehicle registered to a business, whose owner(s) require to use their vehicle/trailer to dispose of larger, bulky items, then a one-off permit can be issued if it is clearly demonstrated that the waste being disposed of is not related to the business or activity of the business to which the vehicle is registered or used e.g. a vehicle registered to a plumber wanting to dispose of household garden waste.

To obtain a one-off permit an application must be made in advance of the visit via the specified e-form on the Council’s website so that an assessment can be made, and a permit issued.

The vehicle type for the application of a one-off permit must conform to one of the vehicle types stated.

A one-off permit may be issued a maximum of two times in a twelve-month period.

Temporary permit

a) Using a hired vehicle to remove household waste

A temporary permit can be issued to a Flintshire resident who hires a vehicle to remove their own household waste.

The householder will be required to provide the vehicle hire agreement to demonstrate that the vehicle is on hire.

b) Borrowing or using a workplace or company van and commercial type vehicle

Householders from Flintshire may use their employer’s van or commercial type vehicles (subject to the vehicle complying with the type and size restrictions) to deposit their own household waste at Household Recycling Centres.

However, the householder will require a letter from the owner (or their representative) on company notepaper giving permission to the applicant to use the vehicle to move their own domestic waste, which will be used in place of the Vehicle Registration Document V5 for verification purposes (proof of residency in Flintshire will still be required by the householder).

c) Borrowing or using family/friend’s vehicle

Householders from Flintshire may make use of a family member or friend’s vehicle (subject to the vehicle complying with the type and size restrictions) to deposit their own household waste at Household Recycling Centres.

Proof of residency in Flintshire will still be required by the householder, but it is not a requirement that the vehicle must be registered within Flintshire.

The vehicle type for the application of a one-off permit will be required to conform to one of the vehicle types stated. If the vehicle does not meet the vehicle sizing or type requirements it will not be allowed access onto the HRC site.

A temporary permit will be issued a maximum of one time in a twelve-month period and will allow for three visits over a seven day period.

To obtain a temporary permit an application must be made in advance by contacting Streetscene Contact Centre on 01352 701234 / streetsceneadmin@flintshire.gov.uk so that an assessment can be made, and a permit issued.

What you will need for a vehicle permit application

  1. Full Vehicle Log book (V5)
  2. Valid driving licence
  3. Council Tax bill or 2 x Utility bills
  4. Photos of vehicle for which the permit is requested:
    1. Rear of vehicle showing number plate (doors closed)
    2. Rear Interior view from rear doors (not required for a pick up)
    3. Front view
    4. Full side view (partial view not accepted)

What you will need for a trailer permit application

  1. Full Vehicle Log book (V5)
  2. Valid driving licence
  3. Council Tax bill or 2 x Utility bills
  4. Trailer dimensions (Length/Height/Width)
  5. Photos of trailer for which the permit is requested:
    1. Rear of trailer showing specified vehicle number plate
    2. Side view showing full length and height.

Applying online

Processing and posting of permits can take up to 10-15 working days.

Please ensure you have included all required documents to prevent delay. Permit applications received cannot be actioned if residents fail to submit all of the required documents (scanned or photos) which must be in date and show the same address.

Please note: you will not need to apply for another permit until all 12 visits are used. However, a maximum of 12 visits only allowed in a 12 month period.

Apply for a permit online

You can e-mail your permit request to streetsceneadmin@flintshire.gov.uk attaching photos or scans of all the above documents and driving licence.

Permit Application Terms and Conditions

  1. The issue of HRC permits is discretionary and can be subject to change to comply with site legislation, operations, enhanced vehicle checking or revised conditions of permit.  To avoid inconvenience, please check www.flintshire.gov.uk/recycle for any updates to the scheme before your visit.
  2. Permits are issued for a maximum of 12 visits within the 12-month period from issue date. A new permit can only be requested after 12 months have passed from the date of issue. However, if 12 months have passed since permit issue and there are visits remaining, the permit is still valid and can be used until the permit runs out (terms and conditions apply).
  3. A valid permit must be presented to a member of the HRC site staff at the site entrance.  This must be validated before unloading of any materials takes place.  The permit must be presented at each visit, this does not mean each day.
  4. One permit is allowed per household and is valid for a specified vehicle only registered to a Flintshire address.  The permit is non-transferable.
  5. Previous permit issue does not automatically qualify the applicant for further permits.  Standard checks will be made for all applications including all conditions of permit having previously been met.
  6. Permits issued are strictly for “household waste” from a Flintshire residents own home.
  7. Any waste classified as Commercial, Industrial, Business or Trade Waste is not accepted at any Flintshire County Council HRC.  This type of waste is the waste produced by tradespeople, contractors or labourers working at residential or business premises.  This includes landlords disposing of waste from rental properties, or waste that entails payment for disposal.  This type of waste requires a “waste carriers licence” and subject to “Duty of Care” and is not accepted at any HRC under our Environmental permit conditions.
  8. Anyone who holds a “waste carriers licence” is not eligible for a permit.
  9. Permit holders undertaking substantial alterations to their premises including outbuildings, drives etc. involving large quantities of building materials, ground work or tree felling, will need to employ a skip for the purpose.
  10. Permits issued are strictly for the vehicle for which the permit relates.  Trailers are not permitted if towed by a vehicle requiring a permit.
  11. Change of vehicle within a 12 month period of permit will render the permit invalid.  A re-issue will be considered based on :-
    a). The current original permit being surrendered to: Admin Vehicle Permit, Alltami Depot, Mold Road, Alltami, CH7 6LG.
    b). The vehicle being a permitted type.
    c). All other stipulations in the terms and conditions being met and have been met previously.
  12. Alterations to a vehicle already registered for a permit must be declared and may disqualify the vehicle for future permit issue. Alterations not previously declared but noted by site operatives may render the permit invalid.
  13. Permits defaced, altered or with illegible details are invalid and will not be accepted at a HRC.
  14. Permit loss or accidental damage to a permit within the 12 month period :- The permit holder may be entitled to a partial permit re-issue and will be considered on application based on:
    a). Date of expiry and number of known site visits.
    b). Previously recorded permit losses or defacement.  Full permits will not be issued until 12 months have passed since original issue date.
  15. Flintshire County Council reserves the right to check available vehicle details and evidence of trading with any relevant Regulatory bodies, or information held in the public domain, if deemed necessary.
  16. Any wastes brought to site will be subject to routine inspection by site operatives and/or any authorised Officer of the Authority or a Regulatory Body.  Visitors to site may be asked to open sacks or containers to check contents.  Failure to comply may result in your permit being revoked.
  17. For safety reasons, the permit holder must declare any potentially Hazardous Wastes within the load and seek advice if unsure.
  18. Materials brought to site must be separated and placed in the correct skip or container.  If unsure, please seek advice from a staff member.
  19. Flintshire County Council reserves the right to terminate all concessions afforded by the permit scheme if the permit holder is in contravention of any stipulations contained within the conditions of permit.  Conditions of permit can be viewed on line or a hard copy requested by post.  Please ensure you have read and understood the permit conditions before visiting a Flintshire County Council Household Recycling Centre.  

Revoking permits

  1. Abuse or threats to members of staff or other residents will not be tolerated and will incur a permit revoke with immediate effect, and may result in the permit holder being excluded from access to Flintshire Council HRC’s.
  2. HRC staff members are authorised to confiscate a permit should circumstances make this necessary, for example:
    a). Abuse or threats to site staff or other residents.
    b). Not adhering to site rules including speeding restrictions, staff directives.
    c). Permits defaced, altered or with illegible details are invalid.
    d). Not declaring hazardous waste within a load.
    e). Depositing non acceptable waste types on site.
  3. Vehicles found during routine checks to be without tax or insurance will incur an immediate permit revoke and exclusion from entry to any Flintshire HRC with or without permit.  The police and DVLA may also be notified.
  4. Any permit issued due to an administration error, falsification of information received, or is in contravention of any of the stipulations contained in the terms and conditions of permit, will be revoked with immediate effect.
  5. Terms and Conditions of permit are available to view on line; a hard copy may be requested by post.  Please ensure you have read and understood the permit conditions before visiting a Flintshire County Council Household Recycling Centre. 

There are no exceptions to these terms and conditions. 

Permit Application Privacy Notice

Streetscene and Transportation Privacy notice for Application Form for Recycling Park Vehicle Permit

Your data will be processed by Flintshire County Council only for the specific purposes of an Application Form for a Recycling Park Vehicle Permit. The processing of your personal data is necessary in order to assess you eligibility for this service.

Your data being processed as a task in the public interest under Articles 6(e) and 9(g) of the General Data Protection Regulations (2018). Flintshire County Council will not share your data with any other organisation. Flintshire County Council will retain your data up to date unless otherwise informed. The Permit Authority shall make the register available for inspection, at all reasonable hours and free of charge.

If you feel that Flintshire County Council has mishandled your personal data at any time you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office by visiting their website or by calling their helpline on 0303 123 1113.

For further information about how Flintshire County Council processes personal data and your rights please see our privacy notice on our website.