Journey
Start a food van or trailer business
Sell food from a van, truck or towed trailer. Register with the council where the van is kept, get permission for each pitch, make the gas, water and waste safe, keep food at the right temperatures and insure the vehicle for business use.
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Register the van as a food business
Register with the council where the van is kept, at least 28 days before you start trading.
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Get permission for each pitch
Streets need the council's licence or consent, roadside pitches involve the highway authority, and private land and events need the owner's or organiser's permission.
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Make the gas system safe
Have a Gas Safe registered engineer install and check the LPG system, and cover it in your fire risk assessment.
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Plan water, waste and cooking oil
Carry enough clean water, store waste water and used oil safely, and register as a waste carrier if you transport waste.
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Keep food at safe temperatures
Keep chilled food at 8°C or below and hot food at 63°C or above.
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Get your food hygiene rating
After you register, the council inspects the van and gives it a rating. You do not apply for one.
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Insure and maintain the vehicle
Insure the van for business use, keep its MOT and V5C up to date, and add employers' liability insurance if you employ anyone.
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Trade after 11pm
Selling hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am needs late-night refreshment authorisation for the pitch.
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Check you have everything in place
The registration, permissions, checks and insurance to have before your first day of trading.
Related journeys
Meet food safety requirements for your business
Register, implement HACCP, and comply with food safety law including allergen requirements
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Meet environmental compliance requirements
Navigate your environmental obligations including waste duty of care, pollution prevention, packaging responsibilities, and energy reporting
Respond to a food safety incident
Immediate steps when unsafe food is discovered or a customer reports illness. Stop selling, withdraw the product, notify the FSA, and cooperate …