Introduction

You need a permit to bring household waste into recycling sites if you use certain vehicles or trailers. There are restrictions on both vehicle and trailer size.

Permits are for Somerset residents only. They allow you to use open sites during regular hours. They are free, and must be taken to the site and displayed on every visit.

There is a limit of one permit for a van (or similar large capacity vehicle) and one permit for a trailer per household. Trailers can only be towed by cars, not vans, pick-up trucks, campervans or mini-buses.

We may share your information with local authorities and government agencies that need it by law.

For further information on the permit, please see Recycling site permit information.

Vehicles that need a permit

Some vehicles need a permit to visit recycling sites. This depends on the DVLA vehicle classification. Cars without trailers do not need a permit, but visitors in cars with trailers, vans, pick-ups, campervans or minibuses must check requirements before visiting the site.

You can find the DVLA classification of your vehicle online. Look up your vehicle details and check the classification shown in the line called “Vehicle Type Approval”. You can also check your V5 document. Iff your vehicle does not have a DVLA classification, please contact Somerset Council for clarification.

Vehicles that need a permit

• A vehicle with an ‘N1’ classification, which means ‘designed and constructed for the carriage of goods under 3.5 tonnes’, such as vans, pick-ups and some Land Rovers.
• Campervans or minibuses classified as ‘N1’ or ‘M1’.
• A single-axle trailer of up to three-metre floor length (but only if towed by a car with ‘M1’ classification – including similar pre classified vehicles). Vehicles that require a permit cannot tow a trailer under any circumstances.

You may need a permit if you use:

• A pre DVLA classified vehicle. Please contact Somerset Council for clarification if your vehicle does not show a DVLA classification.

Vehicles that cannot apply for a permit or visit a recycling site

• A vehicle with an M2, M3, N2 or N3 classification.
• Any Luton van or box van, regardless of classification.
• A single axle trailer over three-metres floor length.
• Any multi-axle trailer.
• A horse box, agricultural vehicle, agricultural trailer.

Cars towing trailers

Cars with an M1 classification do not require a permit unless towing a single-axle trailer. Only these vehicles may tow a trailer onto a recycling site.

Please note: Only single-axle trailers are permitted. Multi-axle trailers cannot access our recycling sites.

Hired vehicles

Drivers with vehicles hired for up to three days which are compliant with permit requirements should take their hire contract to staff on site upon arrival. You will be given a waiver form to complete, which acts as a temporary permit.

Business users

Business users do not need a permit for the 10 recycling sites that accept paid-for trade waste.

Land Rovers

You must check to see if your vehicle is classified as M1 or N1. Those with a M1 classification do not need a permit, unless one is required for towing a single axle trailer of up to three metres floor length. Those with a N1 classification do need a permit and cannot tow a trailer.

Land Rovers without a classification

Land Rovers made before 1968 are sometimes unclassified. If further help is needed, email wasteservices@somerset.gov.uk with all relevant personal details (name, postal address, phone number, email address) and vehicle details (type, registration number) with the subject line “Permit: unclassified Land Rover”.

Terms and conditions