Mobile Catering Licence: Everything You Need to Know

"Mobile catering licence" is one of those terms people search for, but it isn't actually a single licence. Running a mobile catering business in the UK requires the same set of licences, registrations, and certificates as running a food truck — the requirements are identical, just the vehicle differs.

Whether you operate a catering trailer, food van, mobile catering unit, or converted vehicle, this guide covers every licence and certificate you need.

Mobile Catering vs Food Truck: Same Rules

From a licensing perspective, the UK doesn't distinguish between food trucks, catering trailers, food vans, or any other mobile catering setup. The same legislation applies to all of them:

• Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (Schedule 4) governs street trading for all mobile food vendors
• Food business registration applies to any food business regardless of vehicle type
• Gas safety, food hygiene, and insurance requirements are the same

The only differences are practical: a towed catering trailer has different vehicle insurance requirements than a self-propelled food truck, and some councils have size restrictions on trading units.

The Complete Licence and Certificate Checklist

Requirement	Details	Cost	Frequency
Food business registration	Register with the council where the unit is stored overnight	Free	One-off
Street trading licence/consent	From each council where you trade on public land	£100–£1,500+/yr per council	Annual
Food Hygiene Training (Level 2 recommended)	For every person handling food	£20–£100/person	One-off
HACCP plan	Written food safety management system	Free to create	Ongoing
LPG Gas Safety Certificate (CP44)	If using gas appliances	£155–£280	Annual
PAT testing	For all portable electrical equipment	£50–£150	Annual
Fire extinguisher service	Annual professional inspection	Typically £30–£60	Annual
Public liability insurance	Minimum £5m cover (many councils require £10m)	£150–£500/yr	Annual
Employer's liability insurance	If you employ anyone	Required by law	Annual
Vehicle insurance	Commercial policy for the catering unit	Varies	Annual

For a detailed breakdown of each requirement, see our complete food truck licensing guide.

Catering Trailer-Specific Considerations

If you operate a towed catering trailer rather than a self-propelled food truck:

Vehicle requirements: The towing vehicle needs appropriate insurance, a valid MOT (if applicable), and must be rated to tow the trailer's weight. Check the towing vehicle's maximum towing capacity in the handbook.

Trailer dimensions: Trailers over 750kg MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass) need their own braking system. Trailers over 3,500kg may need an operator's licence.

Pitch considerations: Some councils specify maximum unit dimensions in their street trading conditions. A large catering trailer may not fit every designated pitch. Check dimensions with the council before applying.

Storage: The council where you store the trailer overnight is where you register your food business. If you move the trailer between storage locations, check whether you need to update your registration.

Late-Night Trading

If you sell hot food or hot drinks between 11pm and 5am, you may need a premises licence or a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) under the Licensing Act 2003, in addition to your street trading licence. Which one applies depends on your setup — a TEN is simpler for occasional late-night events, while a premises licence suits regular late-night trading.

This is a separate application to the council's licensing team (not the street trading team). Premises licences for late-night refreshment have their own fees, conditions, and application process. Not all councils grant them for mobile units. For occasional events, a TEN is often the more practical option.

How to Get Started

1. Register your food business at register.food.gov.uk — at least 28 days before trading
2. Get your food hygiene certificate — book a Level 2 course online
3. Book gas safety and PAT testing — before your first trade
4. Arrange insurance — public liability at minimum, employer's liability if you have staff
5. Apply for street trading licences — in each council area where you plan to trade
6. Write your HACCP plan — environmental health officers will check this at your first inspection

Allow 6-12 weeks for the full process, longer if you're targeting popular urban pitches.

Try our free startup checklist generator for a personalised list based on your specific setup.

Sources

• Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, Schedule 4
• Licensing Act 2003
• GOV.UK — Food Business Registration
• Food Standards Agency — Register a Food Business