You need a licence to place a skip on a public highway (verge, path or road). You need to complete an application every time a skip is placed. This is a statutory requirement as specified in Section 139 of the Highways Act 1980.
We will ask companies that place a skip on the highway without a licence to remove the structure or apply for a licence immediately. We may also notify the police.
A licence is not required if the skip is to be placed on private property.
Minimum public liability insurance cover required for this application is £5m.
You can now pay for your licence using the online application form.
Please note, the fees for skips and scaffolding licences will be increasing from 1 July 2023. Read this letter for more information.
Before you begin your application
- You will be asked to upload copies of your public liability insurance policy, waste carrier's certificate and a drawing or picture to show the proposed position of the skip. You will find example drawings below.
- You will need to register for a My Norfolk account. Please register using your business details and company email address.
- Skip licence terms and conditions
Apply for a skip licence
For information on safety at street and road works go to the GOV.UK website.
Example drawings
Guarding of a single skip
Guarding of a double skip
Markings, signage and positioning

Specification about design (marking regulations 1984)

Notes
- The width of each half of the marking shall be neither less than 140mm nor more than 280mm
- The length of each half of the marking shall be neither less than 350mm nor more than 700mm
- The angle of each stripe shall be not less than 40 degrees to neither the vertical nor more than 50 degrees to the vertical
- Each half of the marking shall have a minimum area of 980cm2
- The breadth of each stripe shall be neither less than 133mm nor more than 147mm