Menu

Restricted vehicle permit scheme terms and conditions

When you apply for a restricted vehicle permit, you agree to these terms and conditions.

  1. A Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) permit allows a Kent resident to access Kent County Council (KCC) HWRCs in a restricted vehicle if it is the household’s only vehicle.
  2. The applicant’s address (main residence) must be within the KCC administrative area.
  3. A permit grants access for the vehicle to enter the HWRC only. The deposit of waste remains subject to KCC’s HWRC  operational policies. Permit holders may be subject to on-site checks to confirm that the waste is from their own household and is not arising from any business or restricted activity.
  4. It is illegal to deposit ‘trade waste’ arising from a business or restricted activity at an HWRC. Any evidence that ‘trade waste’ has been deposited, or attempted to be deposited, can lead to enforcement activity resulting in a criminal prosecution and conviction. This would also lead to the permit being revoked.
  5. Only one restricted vehicle per household can be registered, with the condition that it must be:
    1. Under 2 metres in height, unless a campervan, minibus or disability adapted vehicle. (Refer to the additional terms and conditions below).
    2. Under 3.5 tonnes gross weight.
    3. The household’s only vehicle.
  6. The permit issued is free of charge.
  7. The applicant is required to inform KCC of any change of vehicle stated within this application. Failure to do so will result in the permit being revoked and HWRC entry refused.
  8. This application entitles the applicant to up to 12 visits, valid for use within 12 months. One visit will be relinquished for each vehicle entry to the HWRC.
  9. Trailers cannot be used with restricted vehicles as outlined in the ‘Trailer’ section of the operating policies.
  10. The applicant must comply with all HWRC operating policies (PDF, 210.0 KB).
  11. If the applicant does not comply with these terms and conditions, the permit may be revoked immediately and access to HWRC’s may be prevented.
  12. Access to HWRCs will be refused for restricted vehicles without a valid permit.
  13. Kent County Council reserves the right to amend the operation of the restricted vehicle permit scheme at any time.

Additional terms and conditions for vehicles over 2 metres in height (campervan, minibus or disability-adapted vehicle)

  1. A HWRC permit allows a Kent resident to access KCC’s HWRCs in a vehicle that exceeds the site height restriction of 2 metres (6’ 6”), is classed as a private light goods vehicle which appears as DC or PC or PLG on vehicle tax or excise licence and is the household’s only vehicle.
  2. As the vehicle exceeds the height restriction of 2 metres (6’ 6”), it is not possible to access the Sevenoaks, Swanley, and Faversham HWRCs due to a fixed height barrier in situ; customers will be provided with further information regarding  site access when the permit is approved.
  3. Access to HWRCs will be refused for vehicle’s exceeding 2 metres (6’ 6”) in height and without a valid permit.

Last updated: 4 November 2026