What Licence Do I Need for Mobile Catering?
The Paperwork That Seemed Scary (But Really Isn't)
When I started out, the paperwork was the bit I dreaded most. All those forms, councils, registrations, letters from the environmental health officer — it felt like a maze. But honestly, once you understand what you actually need, it's simpler than you think. In this guide, I'll walk you through every licence and registration required to legally trade as a mobile caterer in the UK. The good news? Most of it is straightforward, and some of it costs nothing at all.
The key is understanding that there are different types of permissions and registrations, and they're issued by different authorities. Some are about food safety, some are about where you can trade, and some are about your tax status. I'll break them down one by one so you can tick them off and get on with the business of making money.
EHO Registration: Free, Essential, and Non-Negotiable
Your local Environmental Health Officer is actually your friend in this — they want you to succeed. The first thing you must do is register your food business with them. The good news? It's completely free. The catch? You must do it at least 28 days before you start trading. This is a legal requirement, not optional.
Here's how it works: you contact your local council's environmental health department, and they send you a registration form. You fill it in with details about your mobile catering unit, the type of food you'll be selling, your equipment, and your proposed location. Once they receive it, you're registered. They'll then arrange an inspection to check your unit meets food safety standards before you're cleared to trade.
The inspection isn't about catching you out — it's about ensuring you have the right equipment, temperature controls, hand-washing facilities, and documentation in place. If anything needs fixing, they'll tell you what to do, and once it's done, you're good to go. David's insider tip: having everything clean, tidy, and well-organised when the EHO inspector arrives builds their confidence that you understand the regulations. Being disorganised or evasive triggers deeper scrutiny that you don't need.
Registration is free, takes about five minutes online, and gives you the confidence that you're doing things properly. It's also the first checkpoint that stops you from wasting money on equipment that won't pass inspection.
Street Trading Licence: The Council Tax on Your Pitch
If you're trading on a public highway, car park, street, or any council land, you'll need a street trading licence. This is issued by your local council and costs vary wildly depending on where you are. I've seen street trading licences cost as little as £50 per year in some areas, and as much as £2,000+ in busy city centres. Here are real examples from UK councils: Bolton charges £586 annually, Oxford charges £7,640 (yes, that's one of the most expensive in the country), Exeter charges £1,795, and smaller councils often charge £100-£300. The cost depends on the perceived commercial value of the pitch and the council's assessment of demand.
The licence tells the council (and the public) that you've been officially approved to trade at your location. It's typically issued for 12 months and must be renewed. Some councils offer cheaper rates if you trade fewer days per week — so if you're just starting out with a Saturday pitch, you might be able to get a reduced licence. Always check your council's street trading page to see what options are available.
If you're trading on private land — like a car park for a supermarket or retail park — you won't need a council street trading licence. Instead, you'll need permission from the landowner. Most supermarket managers and retail park owners have a procedure for this. They'll want proof of your liability insurance and your food hygiene certificate, and they may take a percentage of your takings or charge a daily/weekly pitch fee. That's a negotiation between you and them, not a council requirement.
Food Hygiene Level 2 Certificate: Proof You Know How to Keep Food Safe
This is the first and easiest certification to get. It's not issued by the council — it's a qualification you complete yourself, usually online. The certificate proves to customers and to the EHO that you understand food safety, temperature control, cross-contamination, and personal hygiene. It takes about 2-3 hours to complete, costs £20-£100 depending on the provider, and you can do it at home on your own time.
The most popular provider is Virtual College (virtualcollege.co.uk), but you can also do it through your local college or some councils offer their own courses. Once you've completed it and passed (it's not difficult if you pay attention), you get a certificate that's valid for 3 years. You should display this certificate in your catering unit — customers see it and it builds their confidence that you take food safety seriously. The EHO expects to see it, and if you don't have it, you can't legally operate.
This isn't just paperwork — it teaches you the temperature rules that matter: hot food must be kept above 63°C, cold food must be kept below 4°C. You'll learn why cross-contamination (mixing raw meat with ready-to-eat food) is dangerous, and how to set up proper hand-washing and cleaning procedures. These are the rules that keep your customers safe and keep you out of trouble with the council.
HMRC Self-Employment Registration: For Your Tax Obligations
Once you've registered with the EHO and you're ready to start trading, you need to register as self-employed with HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs). This is the tax bit. You're legally required to do this within 3 months of starting to trade, though I recommend doing it earlier — ideally before you start, so you can keep proper records from day one.
Registration is free and takes about 10 minutes online at www.gov.uk. You'll set up a Government Gateway account, fill in your details, and confirm your start date. Once registered, you'll need to pay National Insurance contributions (currently about £163 per month if you're self-employed) and you'll need to file a self-assessment tax return every year. Keep all your receipts and records of income — this is what you'll use to calculate your profit and tax liability.
Self-employment registration ties everything together. It makes you official in the eyes of the tax authorities, it's required before you can claim certain business costs as tax deductions, and it proves you're running a legitimate business. Some pitches and event organisers also want to see evidence that you're properly registered with HMRC — it shows you're professional and compliant.
Late Night Trading Licence and Other Permits
If you plan to sell food between 11 PM and 5 AM, or if you plan to sell alcohol, you'll need additional licences from your council. A late night trading licence is usually required by councils to control night-time nuisance and street crime. If you're only trading during normal business hours (which most starting caterers do), you don't need this. But if you want to set up outside a pub or nightclub, or trade at music festivals that run into the early hours, check with your council first.
Some locations also require a market trader's licence if you're operating in a market environment. Others require a consent from the landowner before the street trading licence is issued. The key is to contact your local council's trading standards or environmental health department, tell them exactly where you plan to trade and what hours you'll work, and they'll tell you what you need. Don't guess — getting it wrong costs money and wasted effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence to sell food from home before I get my mobile unit?
If you're cooking food at home and selling it, you technically need a licence as you're operating a food business. However, if you're only doing small test batches to friends and family before launch, most councils will be lenient. Once you're trading from a van or trailer, you definitely need EHO registration. If you want to operate from a home kitchen commercially, you'll need a home-based business licence from your council — different councils have different rules on this. Check with your local authority first.
How much does a street trading licence actually cost?
It varies enormously by council and location. I've seen councils charge £50 per year for a quiet residential area and £7,640 per year for a premium location in Oxford. Most urban councils charge between £200 and £2,000 annually. Some councils offer reduced rates if you trade fewer days per week or work seasonal hours. Always contact your council's street trading team and ask for a quote before committing to a location. Don't assume all pitches in your area cost the same.
Can I trade without a licence?
Legally, no. Operating without EHO registration, without a street trading licence (if required), and without food hygiene certification puts you at risk of prosecution, fines, and closure. The council has powers to seize your equipment and ban you from trading. It's not worth the risk for the few months you might get away with it. Get properly registered — it's cheaper than dealing with enforcement action.
Do I need different licences for different councils?
Yes, if you plan to trade in multiple council areas, each council will have its own street trading licence requirements. Some caterers work on a circuit, moving between different pitches in different councils — you'd need a street trading licence from each council. The good news is that EHO registration is usually only required for your home base. Tell them in your registration where you're based, and they'll arrange inspections from there. If you want to trade in a completely different region, you'll need a new street trading licence for that council.
How long does it take to get a licence?
EHO registration is instant — you can register online and get your confirmation same-day. The inspection typically happens within a few weeks. Street trading licences can take 2-6 weeks to process, depending on the council. This is why I recommend starting the process at least 8-12 weeks before you plan to launch — it gives you time to complete all the paperwork without stress, and ensures everything is in place before day one. Don't wait until the last minute.
Try the free MobCater App — our interactive checklist covers every licence and registration step, so you won't miss anything important: https://www.mobcater.co.uk/mobile-catering.html