How to Start a Food Truck in the UK: Costs, Licences & First Steps

Starting a food truck in the UK costs anywhere from £5,000 (used van, basic setup) to £50,000+ (new custom-built truck, premium equipment). The vehicle is the biggest single expense, but licensing, insurance, and equipment add up quickly.

This guide breaks down what you'll actually spend and the order to do things in, so you don't waste money on a truck before you've confirmed you can get a licence.

Realistic Startup Costs

Category	Budget Range	Notes
Vehicle (used, basic conversion)	£5,000–£15,000	Older van or trailer with basic kitchen fit-out
Vehicle (used, professionally converted)	£15,000–£35,000	Pre-fitted food truck in good condition
Vehicle (new, custom-built)	£40,000–£150,000+	Built to spec with premium equipment and branding
Kitchen equipment	£2,000–£10,000	Griddles, fryers, bain-maries, fridges, coffee machines
Initial stock	£500–£1,500	Ingredients, packaging, disposables for first month
Branding and signage	£500–£3,000	Vehicle wrap, menu boards, branded packaging
Licences and certificates (year 1)	£500–£3,000	Street trading licences, food hygiene, gas safety, PAT testing
Insurance (year 1)	£960–£1,800	Public liability, vehicle, stock cover
Total (budget entry)	£9,460–£33,300	Used vehicle, basic setup
Total (mid-range)	£20,460–£53,300	Professionally converted, decent equipment
Total (premium)	£44,460–£168,300	New custom build, premium everything

These are startup costs based on market research and advertised prices from UK suppliers and converters in early 2026. Ongoing monthly costs (fuel, stock, pitch fees, insurance, maintenance) add £1,000–£3,000/month.

The Right Order to Do Things

This matters. Some things take weeks to process, and you don't want to buy a truck and then discover you can't get a licence for your target trading area.

Phase 1: Research (weeks 1-4)

Before spending any money on a vehicle:

1. Identify your target trading areas — which councils, which pitches
2. Check street trading availability — are there pitches available, or are there waiting lists?
3. Check fees — can you afford the licensing costs across your target councils? Use our licence cost calculator for an estimate
4. Research the local food scene — what's already trading in your target areas, what's missing
5. Write a basic business plan — revenue projections, cost estimates, break-even analysis

Phase 2: Preparation (weeks 4-8)

6. Get your Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate — do this early, it's quick (2-4 hours online, £20–£100)
7. Register your food business — at register.food.gov.uk, 28 days before trading
8. Apply for street trading licences — this takes time, especially in cities. Apply 6-12 weeks ahead.
9. Arrange public liability insurance — you'll need the certificate for licence applications

Phase 3: Vehicle and equipment (weeks 6-12)

10. Buy or commission your vehicle — only after confirming you can get licences
11. Fit out the kitchen — equipment, gas installation, electrical setup
12. Book gas safety inspection — CP44 from a Gas Safe registered engineer
13. Book PAT testing — for all electrical equipment
14. Get fire extinguishers installed and serviced

Phase 4: Final prep (weeks 10-14)

15. Write your HACCP plan — food safety management documentation
16. Prepare allergen information — for every dish on your menu
17. Get vehicle insurance — commercial policy, in place before driving
18. Finalise branding — menu boards, vehicle signage, packaging

Phase 5: Launch

19. Start trading — your food business registration should be confirmed, licences in hand
20. Expect a food hygiene inspection — environmental health will visit within the first few weeks

The Biggest Mistakes

Buying the truck first. The most expensive mistake is buying a £30,000 food truck before checking whether you can get a licence. Always confirm pitch availability and fees before committing to a vehicle.

Underestimating ongoing costs. The startup cost gets all the attention, but ongoing costs — pitch fees, fuel, stock, insurance renewals, certificate renewals — determine whether the business is sustainable. Budget £1,000–£3,000/month minimum.

Ignoring the per-council licence cost. Each council charges separately. Trading across 4 councils at £500/each is £2,000/year in licence fees alone, before you've sold a single meal.

Skipping food hygiene certification. Some operators try to start trading without proper food hygiene certificates, hoping they won't be inspected immediately. Environmental health officers inspect new food businesses quickly, and missing documentation is likely to result in a poor hygiene rating.

Funding Options

If the startup costs are beyond your savings:

• Start Up Loans — government-backed personal loans of £500–£25,000 for new businesses, at a fixed interest rate of 7.5% per annum (increased from 6% on 6 April 2026). Apply at startuploans.co.uk.
• Start smaller — a catering trailer costs less than a custom food truck and has lower insurance and maintenance costs
• Events first — trade at events and markets before committing to permanent pitches, to test your menu and build revenue
• Second-hand equipment — commercial kitchen equipment loses value fast. Used fryers, griddles, and fridges cost a fraction of new

What to Do Next

1. Check your compliance readiness with our free compliance checker
2. Generate a personalised checklist with our startup checklist tool
3. Read the full licensing guide — Complete Guide to Food Truck Licensing UK
4. Estimate your licence costs — Street Trading Licence Costs

Sources

• GOV.UK — Food Business Registration
• Food Standards Agency — Register a Food Business
• Start Up Loans
• GOV.UK — Street Trading Licence