Scrap metal dealers and Motor salvage operators

Derbyshire Dales District Council issues registrations to Scrap Metal Dealers and Motor Salvage Operators.

Registration Details

Before registering any person as a scrap metal dealer the district council will require the following information:

• The full name of the dealer
• The address of the dealer or in the case of a body corporate the registered or principal office
• The address of each place in Derbyshire Dales that is or will be used as a scrap metal store
• If the business is carried out from the applicant's place of residence, notice of that fact
• If premises are used for a scrap metal business but not as a scrap metal store, notice of that fact and the address of the premises

The district council must be notified within 28 days of any alterations to a registered person's or business' particulars, or if the business ceases to operate.

Definition of a scrap metal business

A person is deemed to be carrying on a scrap metal business if:

• a place in the area is occupied by him as a scrap metal store, or
• no place is occupied by him as a scrap metal store in the Derbyshire Dales District area or elsewhere, but he has his usual place of residence in the Derbyshire Dales, or
• no place is occupied by him as a scrap metal store in the Derbyshire Dales area or elsewhere, but a place in Derbyshire Dales is occupied by him for the purpose of that business.

A registration lasts for three years and must be renewed on or before the expiry date if the registered person wishes to carry on as a scrap metal dealer.

Records Required to be Kept

Every scrap metal dealer must keep, at each place occupied by him as a scrap metal store, a book detailing all scrap metal received at that place and all scrap metal either processed at or dispatched from that place. Two books may be kept where the metal processed and or dispatched from a place is not received at that place.

Entries must be made immediately upon receipt, processing or despatch and books containing records must be kept for two years following the last entry.

Where a person satisfies the district council that the business is part of the business of an itinerant scrap metal collector, the district council after consulting with the Chief of Police may make an order requiring that on the sale of any scrap metal he shall obtain from the purchaser a receipt showing the weight of the metal and the aggregate price at which it was sold. These receipts must be kept for two years and must be produced on demand to any body authorised to require their production.

Rights of Entry

Any constable has a right at any reasonable time to inspect registered premises, records kept on those premises and scrap metal kept on the premises.

The district council has powers of entry to ascertain if premises are being used as a scrap metal store.

Offences and Penalties

Any person found guilty of failing to register a scrap metal business or to notify the local authority of alterations in the appropriate particulars shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.

Any person found guilty of failing to notify a local authority that a business has ceased shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £200.

Any person found guilty of failing to keep the proper prescribed records shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.

Any person found guilty of acquiring scrap metal from a person under the age of 16 shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding £200.

Any person who obstructs the entry of an authorised inspector or fails to produce any book or document which the officer has a right to inspect shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding £200.

Where a person is convicted of failing to register or failing to keep records of dealings the Court may make an order imposing restrictions on the dealer for a period not exceeding two years.

Registration is free of charge.

Motor Salvage Operators

Vehicle crime is cited as being one of the largest single categories of recorded crime. 

The Vehicle (Crime) Act 2001 and the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 require all persons or businesses defined by the Act as a Motor Salvage Operator, to register with their local authority.

Motor salvage operators are now required to:

• Register with the district council in whose area they are operating 
• Maintain appropriate records of all vehicle purchases and disposals 
• Carry out full identification checks of vendors and purchasers
• Allow the police (and other investigators) the right of entry to the premises and the right of search. A warrant is not required where the police require entry to a registered premise.

Motor salvage operators will not be able to carry out their business in the Derbyshire Dales area unless they have registered with the District Council.  It is an offence to operate a motor salvage business that has not been registered.  Summary conviction of this offence may lead to a fine not exceeding level 5 (currently £5000) on the standard scale.

There is a fee to register for three years as a Motor Salvage Operator. This fee is used to finance the administration of the registration procedure.  (This page is currently being updated).

Contact us

For more information and an Registration Form please contact

Licensing Section
Community Services Department
Derbyshire Dales District Council
Town Hall
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3NN

Tel : 01629 761313
Fax : 01629 761165
email: licensing@derbyshiredales.gov.uk