Do you actually need a skip permit?

Only if the skip is going on a public road or pavement. If it fits on your driveway, front garden or other private land, you don’t need a permit at all. That’s why the first question we ask is where the skip is going.

If it does need to go on the road, the permit comes from the council that looks after the highway, and the notice period depends on which council that is.

Which council, and how much notice?

• Stoke-on-Trent City Council: three working days’ notice. Covers the city, including Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall, Fenton, Longton and skip hire in Trentham.
• Staffordshire County Council: five working days’ notice. Covers the rest of Staffordshire, including Newcastle-under-Lyme, skip hire in Kidsgrove, skip hire in Leek, skip hire in Stafford, skip hire in Stone, skip hire in Cannock and skip hire in Lichfield.
• Cheshire East Council: five working days’ notice. Covers skip hire in Crewe, skip hire in Nantwich, skip hire in Sandbach, skip hire in Congleton, skip hire in Holmes Chapel and skip hire in Alsager.
• Shropshire Council: ten working days’ notice. Covers skip hire in Market Drayton and the TF9 villages.
• Derbyshire: for Ashbourne and Buxton, give us a ring on 01782 551 222 before you book and we’ll sort the timings with you.

Notice periods are set by the councils and can change, so if your job is time-sensitive, book as early as you can.

How to get a permit with us

You don’t need to apply yourself. When you book online, choose ‘On the Road’ and we’ll apply to the right council for you. The permit cost is added at checkout, and we supply the lights and cones the permit requires.

Tips to avoid problems

• Check your driveway first. Most mini and midi skips fit on a standard drive, which avoids the permit altogether. Our skip size pages list the dimensions of every skip.
• Leave room for the lorry. Our skip loaders need clear access to drop and collect, so move cars and bins out of the way on the day.
• Don’t overfill. A skip on the road must be loaded level with the sides, and so must one on your drive, because we can’t legally carry an overloaded skip.
• Think about the length of hire. Permits are for a set period, so tell us if your job might run on and we can plan for it.

Still not sure whether you need a permit? Call us on 01782 551 222 and tell us where the skip is going. We’ll tell you straight.

Book a skip online →