Street Trading Licence Basics for UK Mobile Vendors
Published 3 November 2026
This guide is a high-level overview, not legal advice. Rules differ by nation and by council, and they change. Always confirm what applies to you, in the place you plan to trade, with your own council before you start. RouteServe does not set licensing rules or fees and cannot confirm what you need.
Start with your council
Street trading, food business registration and many conditions on where and when you can trade are handled locally. Find your council with the GOV.UK local council finder. If you work across more than one council area, check with each one. Rules and fees are set by each council, so what applies in one place may not apply in the next.
England and Wales
In England and Wales, trading on the street generally involves a street trading licence or consent from the local council. GOV.UK explains the basics on its street trading licence page. The council can tell you whether a licence, consent or permission is needed for the streets, parks or sites you have in mind, and what conditions apply.
Trading on private land, such as a car park or an event field, usually needs the landowner's permission as well. A pedlar's certificate is a different thing from a street trading licence, so read the official guidance before assuming it covers you.
Scotland
In Scotland, street traders generally need a street trader's licence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. Food vendors also need a food safety certificate of compliance from the council. Check the details with the council for the area where you will trade.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, street trading is covered by the Street Trading Act (Northern Ireland) 2001. GOV.UK has a page on the street trading licence for Northern Ireland. Your local council can explain how it applies to you.
Register your food business
If you sell food, you generally need to register your food business with your local council. GOV.UK explains the process on its food business registration page, and says to register at least 28 days before you start trading. Do not leave it to the last minute before the season.
Food hygiene and allergens
The Food Standards Agency has guidance on food hygiene ratings and on allergen information for food businesses. Ice cream and many toppings contain common allergens, so make sure you know what is in everything you sell and can tell customers clearly.
Chimes
In England, the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (section 62) allows ice cream van chimes only between 12 noon and 7pm. There is also a 2013 Code of Practice for ice cream van chimes. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, chime rules apply too, but the England code should not be assumed to apply there, so check with the council.
Keep your paperwork together
Keep copies of your licence or consent, your food business registration, your insurance and any hygiene records somewhere you can reach quickly, such as a folder in the van or a saved copy on your phone. Council officers, event organisers and landowners may ask to see them. Note renewal dates in a calendar so nothing lapses part-way through the season, and tell your council if your circumstances or vehicle change.
Questions to ask your council
- Do I need a street trading licence or consent for the places I want to trade?
- Are there restrictions on specific streets, parks or times?
- What does my food business need to register, and by when?
- What applies to chimes, stopping and parking where I will trade?
- What are the fees and how long does the process take?
We deliberately do not list fees or timescales here, because they are set locally and change.
Where RouteServe fits
Once you are properly set up, RouteServe helps customers find you. One permanent link and QR code show where you are while you are trading, and nothing when you are not. See our city guides for local context, such as London, Edinburgh and Cardiff, and our guide to getting more customers.
Try RouteServe free for 30 days
Give customers one permanent link and QR code that shows where you are right now. No customer app and no commission. After your 30 day free trial it is £9.99 a month or £99 a year.