26 July 2026
Food Van Licence UK: Every Permit and Certificate You Actually Need
There's no single 'food van licence' in the UK — it's a stack of separate permits, registrations, and certificates. Here's exactly what you need, who issues it, and how to get it.
There's no single permit called a "food van licence." What most people mean when they search for it is the combination of permissions a food van operator needs to trade legally in the UK — and that combination typically involves at least five separate requirements, each issued by a different authority.
Here's what the full stack looks like.
The Full Licensing Stack for a UK Food Van
| Requirement | Issuing Authority | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food business registration | Local council (where vehicle is stored overnight) | Free | One-off (28 days before trading) |
| Street trading licence or consent | Each council where you trade on public streets | £100–£1,500+/yr per council | Annual |
| Food hygiene certificate | Accredited training provider | £20–£100 per person | One-off (refresh recommended every 3 years) |
| LPG gas safety certificate | Gas Safe registered engineer | £100–£200 | Annual (if using gas appliances) |
| Public liability insurance | Insurance provider | From around £50–£500/yr | Annual |
| Food hygiene rating | Local authority environmental health | Free | Assigned after inspection |
What "Food Van" Covers
"Food van" is an informal term. In UK licensing law, the relevant categories are:
- Food truck — a large self-propelled vehicle used as a mobile kitchen (usually converted or purpose-built)
- Catering trailer — a towable unit used for events and markets
- Mobile caterer — a broader term covering any mobile food operation
The licensing requirements are broadly the same across all three. The main variable is whether you're trading on public streets (where a street trading licence or consent is needed from each council) or on private land or at events (where the landowner or event organiser's permission substitutes for a council street trading permit).
1. Food Business Registration
Before you trade, you must register your food business with your local council. Registration is free and must be completed at least 28 days before you start trading.
For a food van, you register with the council where your vehicle is stored overnight — not the councils where you trade. Registration at one location covers your trading activity everywhere.
Register online at GOV.UK food business registration. You'll be directed to the appropriate council. It's a straightforward form covering your business type, premises, and the kinds of food you'll handle.
One registration covers all your trading locations, which is the key difference from street trading licences (which you need separately from every council where you trade on public streets).
2. Street Trading Licence or Consent
If you trade on public highways — roads, pavements, or public footways — you need permission from each council where you trade. This is separate from food business registration and one of the main logistical headaches for multi-area food van operators.
Under Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (England and Wales), councils designate streets as licence streets or consent streets. You need to apply separately to each council, using that council's own process and form. There's no national form and no single permission covering multiple areas.
Costs vary substantially: small district councils may charge £100–£300/year; London boroughs can charge £5,000+/year for premium pitches. For a breakdown of actual fee figures from major UK councils, see the street trading licence costs guide.
If you're only trading at private events or on private land, you typically don't need a street trading licence — but check with the landowner and the council to confirm.
3. Food Hygiene Certificate
Everyone involved in handling, preparing, or serving food should have appropriate food hygiene training. Level 2 Award in Food Safety is the most widely accepted and costs £20–£100 from accredited providers, depending on whether you do it online or in-person.
The training isn't legally mandatory in the form of a specific certificate — UK food hygiene law requires food handlers to be supervised, trained, and instructed to a level appropriate for their role. In practice, a Level 2 Award in Food Safety is the widely accepted standard, and councils almost always ask for it when you apply for a street trading licence. Market and event organisers require it too.
4. LPG Gas Safety Certificate
If your van uses gas appliances — hobs, ovens, fryers, hot water — you'll need an annual safety inspection by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The certificate type most food van operators need is a CP44 certificate — the Mobile Catering Vehicle Gas Safety Record, which covers converted vans and trailers used for mobile catering. (It's distinct from a CP2, the Leisure Industry record used for leisure accommodation vehicles such as caravans and motorhomes.) Some councils and event organisers also accept CP17 (fixed domestic gas) or LGSR1 (LPG appliances) depending on your setup.
Annual inspections typically cost £100–£200 depending on how many appliances are checked. The inspection must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer — not just any plumber or heating engineer.
When applying for a street trading licence, most councils ask for a current (within 12 months) gas safety certificate if your vehicle uses gas. Always carry the certificate with you while trading. For the full details, see the food truck gas safety guide.
5. Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance isn't a statutory requirement for food van operators in UK law, but it's effectively mandatory in practice. Most councils require proof of a minimum of £5 million cover when you apply for a street trading licence. Most market and event organisers require it as a condition of trading. Most food truck loan providers require it.
Policies start from around £50–£500/year for sole operators, depending on turnover, the types of food you serve, and the events you attend. Specialist mobile catering insurers — rather than generic small business insurance providers — tend to offer more relevant cover. See the food truck insurance guide for a fuller breakdown of costs.
6. Food Hygiene Rating
After you register your food business, the local council's environmental health team will schedule an inspection. The inspection results in a food hygiene rating from 0 (urgent improvement needed) to 5 (very good).
The rating is made public on the Food Standards Agency rating scheme website. In Wales, displaying the rating is a legal requirement. In England, you're encouraged to display it but it's not yet mandatory. In Scotland, a separate scheme applies.
A rating below 3 can seriously affect your ability to trade at events and markets, as many event organisers require a minimum 4 or 5. If you get a low rating, you can request a re-inspection after making improvements.
Where "Private Land" Is Different
If you're trading exclusively on private land — a car park, a business's premises, a field for an event — the street trading licence requirement usually doesn't apply. The landowner controls access and effectively substitutes for the council's licensing function.
However, "private land" has a specific meaning. The boundary between public highway and private property isn't always obvious. If you're not certain, check with the council. Trading on a public pavement without a street trading licence because you assumed the location was private can still result in prosecution.
What You're Not Required to Have
Some things that sound official but aren't required:
- A single "food van licence" — this doesn't exist as one permit
- A vehicle MOT for a catering trailer — trailers don't require MOTs, though if you tow one with a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes GVW, the towing vehicle requires a periodic inspection
- A commercial kitchen inspection — you'll be inspected as part of food hygiene enforcement, but there's no separate "commercial kitchen certification" you need to acquire upfront
Managing Multiple Licences Across Councils
The administrative overhead for multi-area food van operators is real. Separate applications, separate renewal dates, separate contact teams, and separate fee schedules across 3-5 councils is a common operating reality.
Use our free startup checklist generator to build a personalised checklist for your specific trading plans. The licence cost calculator helps estimate total annual licensing costs across your trading areas. StreetComply is building a full dashboard to track all your licences, certificates, and renewal dates in one place — join the waitlist to be notified when it launches.
This guide covers the requirements for food van operators in England and Wales. Scotland has different processes for food business registration and street trading — see the Scotland street trading guide for Scottish-specific information. This is general information, not legal or regulatory advice — verify requirements with each relevant authority for your specific situation.
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