Licences and permits
The permissions a business needs before it can trade — each one tied to the law that creates it, or to a plain statement that no national statute does, and to the body that issues it. We point at GOV.UK for fees and forms; we never copy them.
11 of 41 licences · 11 with a named enabling instrument · 9 issued by a council
Narrow it down
Pick the activity you are asking about, and the nation you trade in. A licence can exist in one nation and not the next, so both matter.
What you do
Where you trade
Who issues it
Most business licences are issued by the council for the area you trade in — the licensing authority — under powers Parliament gave it. A small number are issued by a national regulator instead, and go to that body wherever you are.
Issued by a national regulator, not your council
Agriculture: animals
1
Mixing ammonium nitrate (with fuel oil) licence
You need a manufacturing licence to combine ammonium nitrate and fuel oil to create mixtures for use in certain blasting operations
Animals, including pets and zoos
1
Zoo licence (England, Scotland and Wales)
Apply for a licence to run a Zoo in England, Scotland or Wales; health and safety, animal well-being, inspections, renewals
Arts and recreation
3
Club premises certificate
Apply for a club premises certificate through your council if you're a social, sporting or political members club and you want to do activities …
Hypnotism permit (England, Scotland and Wales)
You must hold a permit to stage a public performance of hypnotism for entertainment purposes in England, Wales and Scotland - learn how to …
Licences to use music online or on mobile technology
You may need a licence to use copyright music online or on mobiles
Building and construction
2
Skip operator licence
Get a skip permit for your skip hire company - skip hire licence, local authority, highway act
Street works licence (England, Scotland and Wales)
You need a licence to place apparatus on a street or road in England, Wales and Scotland
Charity and community
1
Club premises certificate
Apply for a club premises certificate through your council if you're a social, sporting or political members club and you want to do activities …
Chemicals and petroleum
2
Mixing ammonium nitrate (with fuel oil) licence
You need a manufacturing licence to combine ammonium nitrate and fuel oil to create mixtures for use in certain blasting operations
Petroleum Storage Licence (England, Scotland and Wales)
You need a petroleum licence to store and supply petrol to internal combustion vehicles - where to apply for your licence
Driving and motor vehicles
1
Hackney carriage licence (England, Scotland and Wales)
You need a licence to drive a hackney carriage - taxicabs, England, excluding London, Scotland and Wales
Environment: management and waste
1
Skip operator licence
Get a skip permit for your skip hire company - skip hire licence, local authority, highway act
Events
1
Hypnotism permit (England, Scotland and Wales)
You must hold a permit to stage a public performance of hypnotism for entertainment purposes in England, Wales and Scotland - learn how to …
Firearms, explosives and fireworks
1
Fireworks manufacture, storage and sales licences
You need specific licences to manufacture fireworks, store fireworks, and sell fireworks all year round (except when selling at specific times set out below).
Media and broadcasting
1
Licences to use music online or on mobile technology
You may need a licence to use copyright music online or on mobiles
Tourist accommodation, including hotels and campsites
1
Caravan site licence
You usually need a licence from your local council to have a caravan site on your land
Transport and logistics, including aviation
1
Hackney carriage licence (England, Scotland and Wales)
You need a licence to drive a hackney carriage - taxicabs, England, excluding London, Scotland and Wales
Checking approvals more broadly?
A licence is one of several things you may need before your first day of trading. The pre-trading quick check walks the registrations, insurances and approvals alongside it.
Not sure which of these apply to you?
Our guides on finding a licence and dealing with your local council walk through the questions that decide it.