CVT Permits

The Commercial Vehicle and Trailer (CVT) permit scheme for vehicles and trailers that wish to use a Household Recycling Centre for the disposal of household waste.

The CVT permit scheme

icons of vehicles that use the CVT permit

The permit scheme is designed to tackle a range of issues including the illegal dumping of business waste which would otherwise cost the council – and ultimately council tax-payers – more than a million pounds a year.

Permits are available FREE OF CHARGE to residents of both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

This scheme applies to anyone who uses:

  • Commercial type vehicle (including hire vans)
  • Trailer over 1.3m internal length (excluding draw/tow bar and hitch)

What information do I need when applying for a CVT permit?

Please make sure you have supporting evidence documentation before you start the process so that it makes it easier.

You can use:

  • a copy of the Vehicle Registration Document (V5C)
  • letter of authorisation from employer for a works van
  • long term lease agreement
  • motability agreement
  • the vehicle hire agreement form issued by hire company should be presented to site staff along with hire permit

A copy of the above is required to complete your application. This can be done by attaching a photograph or scan to your application or by posting a copy to PO Box 895, Worcester WR4 4FB.

You should allow up to 10 working days to receive your permits in the post.

Apply online for a CVT Permit

Please note:

  • Permits will not be issued for business or trade waste disposal
  • You cannot apply for CVT permits if you are using a borrowed vehicle from a friend or family member; the V5 for the vehicle must be registered at the address for which the permits are requested
  • If you are using a company vehicle a letter of authorisation on official company letter headed stationary from your employer is required.

Permit rules:

  • households are permitted up to 12 permits per year (April-March)
  • permits will be issued on a pro-rata basis dependent upon month of application. For example, if you apply in August you will receive 8 permits
  • each permit allows ONE visit at any time between April and March of that year
  • existing permits must be returned if any changes are required before replacement permits are issued on a like for like basis

Other commercial type vehicle examples:

Vehicle Type Permit Required?
Pickup e.g. Hilux, Ranger, L200 YES
Crew Cab Pickup YES
King Cab Pickup YES
Any listed above with hard or soft top over the load bay, with or without windows/vents YES
4x4 / utility vehicle without rear seats and rear side glazing (i.e. panel van or pickup style) e.g. Landrover 110 without rear side windows and rear seats, Hilux with windowed hard shell over load bay YES
Small car-based panel van (i.e. no rear side windows or no rear seats) e.g. Escort van, Astra van YES
Any vehicle clearly used as a commercial vehicle with commercial livery or sign writing, except car derived Taxis. e.g. estate car with 'Jims Plumbing' livery YES
The V5C states the vehicle to be a CAMPER VAN or MINI BUS 
The vehicle is actually used as a fully fitted out camper van or mini bus 
There is no panelled load compartment		 NO
4x4 / utility vehicle fully glazed with rear seats and no load bay, e.g. Landcruiser, Shogun, Frontera, Range Rover, Land Rover 110 with rear side glazing and rear seats NO

Vehicles that are not allowed:

The following vehicles are not allowed to access any of our Household Recycling Centres

  • Any vehicle exceeding 3.5 tonnes
  • Double axle trailer
  • Tipper vehicles

Download the HRC Commercial Vehicle and Trailer Permit Policy

Unable to apply online?

Contact Worcestershire County Council

Does the permit have an expiry date?

  • Yes. Permits will expire on 31st March for the financial year in which they are issued and will not be accepted after this date.

Can I take Business Waste to a Household Recycling Centre?

  • NO - Business Waste will NOT be accepted at Household Recycling Centres.

You can get advice on how to manage your business waste from your Local Authority or by searching for 'waste management services' online.

CVT Permit FAQ's

Why have a CVT permit scheme?

  • the CVT permit scheme is in operation to prevent the use of sites by traders disposing of their business waste, at a cost to the council tax payers of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Download the CVT Policy

Where can I use CVT Permits?

How do I use my CVT permits?

  • permits must be presented to site staff upon entry
  • each permit allows one visit. Permits will be retained by site staff upon entry
  • a Recycling Assistant will check the details on the permit are correct and visually inspect your waste
  • permits do not entitle disposal of business waste, if the Recycling Assistant thinks it may be business waste you will be refused permission to use the site and further enquires will be made
  • all CVT permits are only valid for the vehicle(s) described
  • permits are non-transferable

How many CVT permits do I get?

  • households within Herefordshire and Worcestershire are able to apply for up to 12 permits per year, running April to March
  • applications can be made at any time throughout the year with Permits issued on a pro-rata basis i.e. 1 permit per calendar month remaining e.g. applying in October you will receive 6 permits
  • there are no exceptions to warrant the issuing of any further permits
  • each permit allows one visit at any time from April to March
  • you are not limited to one visit per month
  • you are limited to 12 visits per year

Does the permit have an expiry date?

  • yes, permits are colour coded each year and expire on the 31 March. They will not be accepted after this date.

What if I change vehicle?

  • email cvtpermits@worcestershire.gov.uk and return any remaining permits to CVT Permits, PO Box 895, Worcester WR4 4FB
  • Existing permits must be returned before replacement permits will be issued on a like-for-like number basis
  • all CVT permits are only valid for the vehicle(s) described.  Permits are non-transferrable

What if I change address?

  • as long as you are moving to somewhere within Herefordshire or Worcestershire you will still be able to use any Household Recycling Centre to dispose of your household waste
  • you can update your details by

What if I have multiple vehicles for which I require a CVT permit?

Each permit may display up to four vehicle registrations. Permits allow a single entry and should be handed to a site operative upon arrival at the site.

What forms of Hire agreement are acceptable?

  • vehicles hire agreement form issued by hire company
  • long term lease agreement
  • motability agreement

Can I apply for a permit on behalf of somebody I am paying to conduct work on my behalf e.g. a builder / gardener/carpet fitter?

  • no, any work paid for constitutes as business waste and should be disposed of accordingly

Can I take Business Waste to an HRC?

  • business waste will NOT be accepted at Household Recycling Centres
  • there are private disposal sites in Herefordshire and Worcestershire which will accept business waste on a chargeable basis, further details can be found online

What type of vehicle requires a CVT permit?

Refer to the CVT permits page for definitions.

What vehicles are not allowed onto the HRC's?

  • any vehicle exceeding 3.5 tonnes
  • vehicles towing horse trailers
  • double axle trailers
  • tipper vehicles

Why are double-axle trailers banned?

  • this was introduced as part of further regulation of size / load capacity of trailers by only allowing access to single axle trailers as these are used for domestic purposes and generally have a lower maximum legal payload
  • to minimise instances at facilities where trailers are unhitched from primary vehicle by customer and manhandled through site traffic flow into an unloading bay

Why are all tipper mechanism vehicles banned?

  • tipper mechanism vehicles are excluded as these are used primarily for business purposes and generally have a higher maximum legal payload
  • to eliminate the possibility of the tipper mechanism being activated and the load ejected onto the facility floor

How soon are permits issued?

  • permits will be issued within 10 working days of receipt of valid application form including supporting information
  • permits are sent via 2nd class post.

What supporting evidence documentation can I use?

  • a copy of the vehicle registration document (V5C)
  • letter of authorisation from employer
  • vehicle hire agreement form issued by hire company
  • long term lease agreement
  • motability agreement

What if I have existing permits, but then hire a vehicle?

  • upon arrival at the Household Recycling Centre you will need to hand one of your valid permits to the Recycling Assistant, along with a copy of your hire agreement

Where can I use CVT Permits?

I own a Campervan?

  • a CVT permit is not required if the V5C states the vehicle to be a camper van, the vehicle is actually used as a fully fitted out camper van and there is no panelled load compartment
  • you may be required to show site staff the V5C stating the vehicle to be a camper van each time you visit a HRC

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