Can I park my food truck anywhere in the UK?

Food trucks not only help individuals to showcase their cooking talent but also provide other benefits and opportunities. However, doing street food business in the UK requires maintaining lots of rules. ‘Can I park my food truck anywhere in the UK?’ is the most common thought every newbie food truck owner has. Sadly, those who don’t know the legal process of parking end up having their business license revoked. 

If you plan to do street food business in the UK, I’m here to ease your worries. Read this article to learn how to park a food van in the UK and make sure you follow the necessary steps for a successful start. For a detailed guide on how to start a food van business, you can also check out this comprehensive guide.  

Can I park my food truck anywhere in the UK?

Yes, you can, as long as you don’t offend the authorities, follow the rules, and pay the required amount. However, you may wonder what ‘parking’ actually means. 

Parking a food truck indicates doing business from it. Because you cannot trade from your food truck without stopping somewhere. On the other hand, you legalized your van but left it unused, that will be ridiculous too. 

Whether you sell from your food van or just park it, you need to go through the same process. You will get a full guide to the process in the next section. 

The rules for parking food trucks in the UK 

1. 1. Know the areas 

You cannot randomly park your food truck anywhere, it’s against the UK street food business policy. Therefore, know the areas beforehand where you can park a food van, also trade from it. Here is a checklist. 

• • Private but accessible property, like in the garage or in the yard of your own house or your close ones.   

• • Industrial areas. This indicates places where workers frequent during their breaks. 

• • Markets. 

• • Food festivals, food fairs, or events like that. 

• • Parks. 

• • Town centers. 

• • Popular spots where tourists frequent. 

Now it’s time to know about the restricted areas. Parking or trading from there will earn you a hefty fine and a ban on your business. 

• • Heavy-duty areas, like hospitals, courts, institutes, etc. 

• • Highways and walkways. 

• • Residential areas. 

• • Emergency vehicle parking areas. 

• • Areas that are restricted for a certain time. 

2. Ready the papers 

Without the legal papers, you will have to say bye to your food business. In this section, you will learn what papers are needed primarily to legalize your food van in the UK. 

Free registration 

Yes, registering a food truck in the UK is absolutely free. Contact your local council to complete the registration at least a month before you start trading. 

Street trading license 

It will permit you to operate your food truck in the designated areas. 

Street trading consent 

Though you got the trading license, you still need consent from the council to trade. Otherwise, you may go to jail.  

Consent from organizers 

If you park and trade during an event, a festival, in a private land or in a market, you need to collect consent from the organizers or land owners. In that case, you may not need the trading consent from the authority. 

Parking permit 

Retail center car parks allow food truck owners to park their vehicles only, not to trade. If you plan to park there, get the parking permit, follow the rules, and pay the fees.   

Driving license 

Obviously, a robot won’t drive your van, you will. Without a driving license, how can you legally move the van to other places? 

3. Expect inspections 

Let’s say you registered your food truck. Don’t think that you are free to sell whatever you make to the public. Another huge process is still left, which is inspection. 

The local council will inspect your vehicle’s condition, engine, hygiene, and waste disposal system. Besides, they will have a say on what food items you plan to sell. 

If you want to sell protein items and drinks, you have to get the council’s approval before selling them. In contrast, vegan menus don’t need approval.  

Complete inspections will earn you certificates and make you a certified food vendor. Details are in the next section. 

4. Get certificates and insurance

Along with the licenses and permits, you will need certificates and insurance to park and sell from your food truck. Let’s take a glance at them. 

Food safety and hygiene certificate 

The council will inspect how you handle your food items, store them, prepare them, and clean your facilities. After inspecting, they will rate your business and award you with a certificate. 

In general, the certificate is level 2 when owners operate their trucks alone. It becomes level 3 if the owner hires others. 

Plans on HACCP and risk assessment 

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point. With an adequate HACCP plan, you must ensure that you will avoid all possible hazards to protect your food standards. Also, a risk assessment plan is needed to show how you will monitor and prevent potential risks like road collisions, short circuits, damaged equipment, etc. 

Remember, the inspector can shut you down anytime if you don’t come with proper HACCP and risk assessment plans.

Gas safety certificate 

Make sure to do the annual safety check of your cooking stove and gas appliances by a reliable gas inspector. Update them also when needed. 

PAT certificate 

PAT or Portable Appliance Testing is for food truck electrical appliances. Check your appliances on every 6 to 12 months by a qualified PAT officer. 

Insurance 

You need to get 3 types of insurance to secure your business. 

• • Business car insurance – If a road accident damages your van, you will get full coverage. 

• • Employer’s liability insurance – If your staff experiences job-related damages, this insurance will cover the claims.  

• • Public liability insurance – In case your business causes public injury or damage, you can compensate through this one. 

The endnote 

I hope that after reading this article, operating a food truck in the UK will seem easier to you. There might be other rules and regulations except the mentioned ones. I tried my best to explain the common terms. The local authority will help you with further inquiries if you have any.    

Not only UK, you can go to other countries to do business, the basic rules and punishments are the same. So, to serve your customers peacefully, try not to violate the rules and regulations as much as possible.