Introduction
As long as you have your free permit displayed they do not limit time or frequency of visit, or which site you choose.
Congestion, out-of-county visitors and illegal commercial waste have created problems for customers at recycling sites, put safety and efficiency at risk, and driven up operating costs. Permits help tackle this by reducing congestion, improving services and enhancing safety. Similar schemes have been introduced in many other local authorities including all of Somerset’s neighbouring authorities in North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Wiltshire.
Questions and Answers
When can you use your permit?
What information will I need to provide on the application?
What will the permit look like?
Will I need the permit with me every time I visit a site?
How many permits can I have? (for example if I have a van as well as a car and trailer?)
Each household is entitled to up to one van permit and one trailer permit.
You can register up to two car registration to tow a trailer on any trailer permit.
I have a company vehicle registered to the company which is not based in Somerset. Can I still have a permit?
I am a trader and have a van or pick-up which is registered to my business at my home address. Can I still have a permit?
What happens if my permit does not arrive?
Please allow 15 working days from applying online before contacting us. If you have not received your permit after 15 working days, please email
wasteservices@somerset.gov.uk providing your full contact details, the date you applied for your permit and the type of permit you have applied for (trailer or van), with details of the vehicle(s) and their registration number(s).
If you gave an email address, you would have been emailed with a confirmation note (we suggest you download the confirmation at the end of the application process). This can be used for up to 21 days until your permit arrives
Will you contact me to tell me to renew my permit?
What shall I do if I lose my permit of my details change?
What if I sell the van or trailer?
Can I tow a trailer on my van permit?
Can I tow a trailer by hand onto sites or while on sites?
How can I find the classification of my vehicle and its gross weight?
I am a Somerset resident, or assisting a family member who is a Somerset resident, and have hired a van or trailer. Do I still need a permit?
IMPORTANT – You cannot visit any site with a hire vehicle or trailer if you use a:
- – Vehicle with an M2, M3, N2 or N3 classification.
- – Any Luton van or box van, regardless of classification.
- – Single axle trailer over three-metres floor length.
- – Any multi-axle trailer.
- – Horse box, agricultural vehicle, agricultural trailer.
I have a van hired by my business or employer. Can I have a permit or use the permit waiver form?
Do commercial users require a permit?
No. Commercial/business waste can be taken to the 10 Somerset sites licensed to take commercial waste and payment made to dispose of their waste. This will be a commercial transaction and commercial users will need to comply with the permit scheme regulations regarding vehicle size and use of trailers. All waste brought to site under this exemption MUST be paid for to dispose of. Under no circumstances will vehicles bringing waste under this exemption be able to deposit household/domestic waste.
For more info Business waste and recycling sites