Food Truck Gas Safety: LPG Certificate Requirements UK

If your food truck uses gas appliances — and most do — you need an annual gas safety inspection and certificate. The specific certificate for mobile catering units is the CP44, issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer qualified to work on LPG installations in commercial mobile catering equipment.

This guide covers what the CP44 inspection involves, what it costs, and why letting it lapse is a risk you cannot afford.

What Is a CP44 Certificate?

The CP44 is a gas safety certificate specifically for LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) installations in mobile catering units — food trucks, catering trailers, and food vans. It confirms that:

• All gas appliances are installed correctly and working safely
• Gas pipework and connections are sound with no leaks
• Ventilation meets the requirements for the appliances installed
• Emergency shut-off valves are present and working
• LPG cylinders are stored and connected correctly
• Flame failure devices are functioning on all burners

The CP44 is part of the IGEM/UP/2 standard, which governs LPG installations in non-permanent dwellings. Your food truck falls under this standard.

Who Can Issue a CP44?

Only a Gas Safe registered engineer with the correct qualifications. Not every Gas Safe engineer can do this — they must be registered to work on:

• LPG (not just natural gas)
• Commercial catering equipment (not just domestic appliances)
• Mobile installations (not just fixed premises)

When booking an engineer, confirm they hold the right competencies for mobile catering LPG work. You can verify an engineer's qualifications on the Gas Safe Register website by entering their ID number.

What Does the Inspection Cover?

A typical CP44 inspection of a food truck takes 1-3 hours and includes:

1. Visual inspection of all gas appliances, pipework, and connections
2. Tightness test on the entire gas system to check for leaks
3. Ventilation check — sufficient airflow for the appliances installed
4. Appliance testing — each burner, griddle, fryer, and oven checked for correct operation
5. Flame failure devices — confirming each burner shuts off if the flame goes out
6. Emergency shut-off — testing the main gas isolation valve
7. LPG storage — cylinder location, securing, and connection method
8. Flue and exhaust — checking extraction and ventilation routes

If everything passes, the engineer issues the CP44 certificate on the spot. If there are faults, they'll tell you what needs fixing before a certificate can be issued.

How Much Does It Cost?

Based on quotes from Gas Safe registered engineers advertising mobile catering services in early 2026, expect to pay £155–£280 for a standard CP44 inspection and certificate, depending on:

• Your location (London and the South East tend to cost more)
• The number and complexity of gas appliances in your truck
• Whether the engineer needs to travel to your vehicle's location
• Whether any remedial work is needed

Some engineers offer combined packages (gas safety + PAT testing) which can save on call-out fees.

How Often Do You Need It?

Every 12 months. The CP44 certificate is valid for one year from the date of inspection. Set a reminder for 10-11 months — don't wait until the last week.

Some event organisers and councils require a certificate dated within the last 6 months for licence applications or event pitches, so check specific requirements before assuming a 12-month-old certificate will be accepted.

What Happens If Your Certificate Expires?

An expired gas safety certificate creates multiple problems:

Insurance risk: Most public liability insurance policies for food trucks require a current gas safety certificate. If your certificate has lapsed and there's a gas-related incident, your insurer may refuse the claim.

Street trading licence risk: Many councils require proof of a current gas safety certificate as part of the street trading licence application or renewal. An expired certificate could delay or prevent your licence renewal.

Event exclusion: Most event organisers and market managers check gas safety certificates before allowing traders on site. An expired certificate means you don't trade that day.

Legal liability: While there's no specific law requiring a gas safety certificate for mobile catering (unlike the landlord gas safety certificate for rental properties), operating unsafe gas equipment is a health and safety offence. If an incident occurs and your equipment hasn't been inspected, you face serious legal exposure.

Tips for Food Truck Operators

• Book your inspection 2-3 weeks before expiry — engineers can be busy, especially in spring before the festival season
• Keep the certificate in the truck at all times — you may be asked for it on site
• Photograph or scan the certificate as a backup
• Fix issues promptly — if the engineer identifies faults, get them repaired and re-inspected quickly
• Ask about combined inspections — some engineers do gas safety + fire extinguisher servicing in one visit

Gas safety is just one part of the compliance stack for UK food truck operators. For a full overview of every licence and certificate you need, see our complete food truck licensing guide. You can also try our free compliance checker for a quick assessment of where you stand.

Sources

• Gas Safe Register — Find an Engineer
• GOV.UK — Street Trading Licence