Alert Section

Household Recycling Centre Vehicle Permit


Vehicle and Trailer permit changes April 2023

Permits are strictly for 12 visits within a 12 month period.  Please see Terms and Conditions for more information. 


Vehicles & trailers requiring a permit

  • All trailers (single and twin axle). Length restricted to 2 metres. Over this length not permitted.
  • 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 & 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.

Please note: this list provides examples only as a guide, and non-acceptance is NOT limited to the vehicle types/sizes listed above, none of which are eligible for a permit. If you’re not sure, please check.

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

Vehicles with logo / livery / sign writing

Under certain circumstances 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 liveryThis 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. 

Application Online

To save time, please check before applying if your vehicle type is allowed access. A copy of the Terms and Conditions of permit can be found below.

The following documents will be required to support your application. Please supply photos or scanned original documents & licence as we cannot accept responsibility for original documents lost in the post.

Please note: 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.

Apply online

Documents required for Vehicle Permit Application.

  1. Full Vehicle Log book (V5)
  2. 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)

Documents required for Trailer Permit Application.

  1. Full Vehicle Log book (V5)
  2. 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.

Or E-mail: Please e-mail your permit request to streetsceneadmin@flintshire.gov.uk attaching photos or scans of all the above documents & driving licence. If you are experiencing difficulties with any of the above please contact the helpline for advise 01352 701234

Terms and Conditions of Permit 2021

Temporary Covid-19 Restrictions
Due to social distancing and safety measures on our sites at this time, you may experience delays in entering due to vehicle numbers on site being limited.  All rules must be adhered to on site, including hand cleansing and minimum 2 metre distancing. 

  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 strictly for 12 visits within a 12 month period. This expiry date cannot be extended.  Another permit will only be considered when the expiry date has passed.
  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. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If the 12 visits have been used before the permit expiry date, can I apply for another?
No.  Permits are strictly for 12 visits only within a 12 month period. Another permit cannot not be considered until the permit expiry date has passed.

My partner and son/daughter both have vans registered to the same address; are we entitled to a permit for both vehicles?
No.  One permit only is allowed per household and is valid for a specified vehicle or trailer registered to a Flintshire address.  The permit is non-transferable. 

Will my permit be automatically renewed after 12 months has passed? 
No.  Previous permit issue does not automatically qualify an applicant for further permits.  Standard checks will be made for all applications including all conditions of permit having previously been met.

We have a permit for our van but need to use a trailer; can we apply for a trailer permit?
No. One permit is allowed per household for a vehicle or a trailer, not both.  A van or any other vehicle type requiring a permit cannot bring a trailer to site.

We hold a current vehicle permit but are having work carried out on the premises and will need more visits.  Can we apply for an extended permit?
No.  There are not exceptions to 12 visits within a 12 month period.  Residents undertaking substantial alterations to their premises, including extensions, outbuildings, drives etc. involving large quantities of building materials, ground work or tree felling, will need to employ a skip for the purpose.

My old style permit is still in date. Can I continue to use it and apply for the new style permit when it has expired?

No. From April 4th 2022 your current permit will need to be surrendered at your next visit to a Household Recycling Centre (HRC). It is not necessary for a resident to make a special journey to surrender their permit. Site staff will collect resident’s old style permits on entry. A new permit can be applied for online at flintshire.gov.uk/hrcpermit.

Will my new permit be the same type as previously issued?

No. The new permit will be hexagonal in shape and will be issued specifically for the Household Recycling Centre closest to your address

Will a new style permit be issued for the remaining visits left on my permit?

No. The new permit will be for a full 12 months (12 visits in 12 months)

Why does my single axle trailer need a permit?

Historically only twin axle trailers required a permit and had a limit of 6ft in length However we have seen an increase in large, and overloaded single axle trailers arriving regularly on sites. These can present safety issues by obstructing site exits and prevent other service users accessing skips and containers.