Street trading licence UK: what food vans and stalls need (2026)

A street trading licence is permission from your council to sell food or goods from a van, trailer, stall or barrow in a street or other public place. In England and Wales, councils can mark each street as a licence street, a consent street or a prohibited street, and set their own fees. Trading without permission can mean a fine of up to £1,000. Scotland uses a street trader's licence, and Northern Ireland uses council stationary or mobile licences.

Fees vary from free to several thousand pounds a year. Below: how each system works, real council fee examples, and how to apply.

Not legal advice. Street trading is controlled by each council, and rules differ between nations and even neighbouring towns. Always check with the council where you'll trade.

Do I need a street trading licence?

You probably do if you sell from:

• a van, trailer, cart or gazebo on a road, pavement, lay-by or pedestrian area
• any area the public can get to without paying, which can include some car parks, forecourts and open spaces
• a pitch outside your own shop that sticks out onto the street (sometimes)

You may not need one if:

• you trade on private land with the owner's permission and the council hasn't brought that land into its scheme (outside London; London is stricter, see below)
• you trade inside a chartered or licensed market or fair. The market operator handles permission and charges a pitch fee.
• you sell at a private event where the public pay to get in. Councils' definitions of a "street" usually cover only places the public can reach without paying, so the organiser's arrangements usually cover the site. Check with the council if unsure.
• you're a pedlar with a certificate travelling on foot. This doesn't work for a parked food van.

There's no single "food licence" for street food. You still need to register as a food business (free, 28 days before trading) with the council where your van is kept, and you need a separate licence to sell hot food after 11pm. See our takeaway licence guide.

England and Wales: licence streets, consent streets and prohibited streets

Most councils use Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. Once a council adopts it, it can designate streets as:

Key rules in Schedule 4:

• You must be 17 or over.
• The council can ask for two photos of you.
• Consents last up to 12 months and can be revoked at any time. A consent only covers trading from a van or stall if the council includes that permission.
• Councils can charge "such fees as they consider reasonable", so fees differ widely.
• You can employ helpers without them needing their own licence.

GOV.UK says breaking licence conditions, or trading without a licence, can lead to a fine of up to £1,000, and your licence can be suspended or withdrawn.

London is different

Most London boroughs use the London Local Authorities Act 1990. Its definition of "street" includes areas within 7 metres of a road or footway that the public can reach without paying, even if that land is private. Several boroughs say you need a licence if you trade within 7 metres of the public highway. Boroughs can add their own conditions, so check yours before you apply.

Scotland: street trader's licence

Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, anyone street trading needs a street trader's licence, whether trading for themselves or as an employee.

• Food vendors usually need a certificate of compliance from the council's environmental health team, confirming the van meets food hygiene rules. Fife, for example, charges £113 per food vehicle on top of the licence.
• Licences commonly last up to 3 years.
• Councils may set rules on locations and hours. Glasgow, for example, has a presumption against food vendors within 300 metres of a secondary school.
• Trading food between 11pm and 5am also needs a late hours catering licence.

Northern Ireland: stationary and mobile licences

The Street Trading Act (Northern Ireland) 2001 gives councils two main licences:

• Stationary licence: for a fixed pitch on a designated street or site.
• Mobile licence: for mobile traders, such as ice cream vans and mobile shops, on set routes or areas.
• Councils can also issue temporary licences for events. In Belfast these last up to 7 days, with up to five a year per trader.

Belfast, for example, only grants stationary licences on designated pitches.

Street trading licence fees: real council examples

Fees are set locally and change every April. These are examples we found, not quotes:

In short: budget from under £100 a year (some Scottish 3-year licences) to over £1,000 a year for a regular pitch, and much more for prime city-centre spots. Events and markets charge their own pitch fees on top. For a full start-up budget, see our food truck cost guide.

How to apply for a street trading licence

1. Pick where you want to trade. Check the council's map or list of licence, consent and prohibited streets (or designated pitches).
2. Register as a food business with the council where your van is kept, at least 28 days before trading.
3. Get your paperwork ready. Councils commonly ask for:

   • photos of you and your van or stall
   • proof of food business registration and your hygiene rating (if you have one)
   • public liability insurance, at the level of cover your council asks for
   • a Gas Safe certificate for LPG appliances and a PAT or electrical certificate
   • vehicle MOT and insurance
   • a waste plan or trade waste contract
   • a basic DBS check (some councils)
4. Apply and pay the application fee. Many councils run a consultation (often 28 days) with police, highways and nearby businesses.
5. Wait for a decision. Manchester says up to 8 weeks. There may be a waiting list for popular pitches.
6. Display your licence and follow its conditions: days, hours, exact pitch, what you can sell, and leaving the area clean.

Can I park my food truck anywhere in the UK?

No. On public roads and pavements you need street trading permission, and some streets ban trading completely. You must also follow parking and road traffic rules, which are separate. On private land you need the owner's permission, and in London (and some other areas) you may still need a licence. Supermarket car parks, pub car parks and business parks are common pitches, but get permission in writing.

Street trading checklist

• Checked whether your pitch is a licence, consent or prohibited street (or designated site)
• Food business registered (28 days before trading)
• Food safety system (SFBB, CookSafe or Safe Catering) and hygiene training
• Gas Safe certificate for LPG; electrical safety checked
• Public liability insurance (check the amount your council wants)
• Street trading licence or consent granted, or landowner's written permission
• Late hours trading? Late night refreshment or late hours catering licence
• Licence displayed on your van or stall
• Trade waste arrangement

Take orders before customers reach the hatch

Street trading pitches often limit your hours. Letting customers order ahead helps you sell more in the time you've got.

With Menuthere, customers scan a QR code on your van or flyer, order from your menu and collect at the hatch. There's 0% commission. On Free they pay at the hatch. Card payments through your own Stripe account, and pre-orders for a later time, start on Lite (US$17 a month). On Pro, customers can order through WhatsApp on your own number, and you can broadcast "we're at the market today" messages to customers who've opted in.

Give your van its own ordering page and QR code. See how it works for, or start with a.

Create your free ordering pagefood trucksfree QR code menu

Starting out? Read how to start a food truck business and our market stall guide.