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Do I need a vehicle permit?


Find out if we allow your vehicle type at our Household Waste and Recycling Centres and if you need a permit

 

Vehicle type Allowed on site Permit needed


Car - including estate cars

Yes No

4X4s like the Jeep Cheroke, Land Rover Discovery, Mitsubishi Shogun, Nissan X-Trail

Yes No

Fully-fitted camper vans, van-based people carriers, family-type vans with factory or professionally fitted seats and windows in the back for passengers

Yes No
A car, 4x4 or exempted vehicle with a trailer or horsebox under 1.83m (6 ft) internal length Yes No
A car, 4x4 or exempted vehicle with a trailer or horsebox between 1.83m (6 feet) and 3m (9.8 feet) internal length Yes Yes

Pick-up truck or light goods vehicle (or similar) with an open back or enclosed canopy or top like a Ford Ranger, Isuzu Rodeo, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux. Some mobility vehicles don’t need a permit (see note about exempted vehicles)

Yes Yes

Van under 3.5 tonnes like a Fiat Ducato, Mercedes Vito, Renault Traffic 

Yes Yes

Any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes

No N/A

Any van or pickup with any trailer (See note about bringing a trailer to a HWRC)

No N/A


Exemption for blue badge holders 

You don’t need a permit for your van or pick-up under 3.5 tonnes if it’s a registered mobility vehicle with a blue badge clearly displayed. You can also tow a trailer under 1.83m (6 feet) without a permit.

But you do need a permit for a trailer that’s between 1.83m (6 feet) and 3m (9.8 feet). 

Bringing a trailer to a HWRC

You don’t need a permit for a trailer under 1.83m (6 feet).

Vans and pickups can’t bring trailers unless they are mobility vehicles with blue badges.

Cars, MPVs and exempt vehicles need a permit for trailers between 1.83m (6 feet) and 3m (9.8 feet).

Trailers are measured by their original internal length, even if the internal dimensions have been changed.

Permit for a hired vehicle

You don’t need a permit for vans hired for 7 days or less. You will need to show your hire agreement to site staff. You may be asked to complete a Trade Waste Disclaimer to confirm that you are only disposing of household waste.

Vans hired for more than 7 days need a permit. Please apply for a vehicle permit.

Trade waste disclaimer 

Cornwall Council only allows commercial or trade waste at St Erth and Launceston HWRCs. If staff are unsure if your waste is household or trade, we may ask you to complete a form declaring it’s household waste. 

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