Hire van at a Bristol tip: the 3-day rule and what to bring

Hired a van to take rubbish to a Bristol tip? Here's what the council asks for, checked against Bristol City Council and Bristol Waste Company pages on 29 October 2026.

Permit or not

Your own van, pick-up or trailer over 1.52m needs a van permit. Hire vans and trailers follow different rules. The council says you do not need a permit if the hire agreement is for 3 days or less. If the hire is longer than 3 days, it says you cannot use the vehicle to visit the recycling centres.

Booking

You still need a timed visit. When you book, choose the "I am using a hire vehicle" option, and arrive in the vehicle you registered. The steps and phone number are in the tip booking guide.

What to bring

• Your vehicle hire agreement
• A council tax or utility bill in your name from the last 3 months
• Your photo card driving licence

Car Club and Zipvan

If you use a Car Club or Zipvan vehicle, the council says you only need to show proof of address. A council tax bill is preferred, or your driving licence.

Check the height

Vehicles over 2.4m high can only use Hartcliffe Way, and Avonmouth and St Philips are not accessible to them. Check the height on your hire paperwork before you pick a site. The tips take household waste only, so a hire van is no use for a builder's load: see rubble and building waste in Bristol.

Would a company be easier than hiring? A licensed rubbish removal firm brings its own van and loads it for you.