What identification do I need to scrap a car in the UK?

If you’re planning to scrap your car in the UK, one of the most important things to bring is proper identification. Many people don’t realise that scrap yards — including Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) — are legally required to verify who you are before they can accept a vehicle. This isn’t just policy; it’s the law. Since the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, ID checks are mandatory to help prevent vehicle theft and fraud, and to ensure that every scrap transaction is fully traceable. At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we help drivers across Lancashire scrap their cars quickly and legally — and we make the ID process simple and stress-free.

Why You Need ID to Scrap a Car

In the past, it was possible to walk into a scrap yard and hand over a car with little more than a handshake. Those days are long gone. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 made it a legal obligation for all scrap dealers — including car scrappers — to verify the identity of anyone bringing in a vehicle or other metal. This means checking both who you are and where you live. These records must be stored by the scrap yard for a minimum of 3 years and made available to authorities if required.

This law applies regardless of how the car is delivered. Whether you drop it off yourself or arrange for it to be collected, the collector or scrap yard staff will ask to see your identification and will document the transaction. If you do not have acceptable ID, the transaction cannot legally go ahead. That’s why it’s essential to understand the requirements before your vehicle is collected or handed over.

UK law requires scrap yards to check your ID before accepting a vehicle.

All transactions must be recorded, and ID records kept for at least 3 years.

Whether collection or drop-off, you must provide ID to legally scrap your car.

No ID = no legal scrap — the process cannot continue without it.

What Type of ID Is Accepted?

The easiest and most widely accepted form of ID for scrapping a car is a UK photocard driving licence. It contains everything the scrap yard needs: your photo, your name, and your current address. It satisfies both the identity and address verification requirements in one document.

If you don’t have a photocard driving licence, you’ll need to provide two documents instead:

The name and address on your documents must match, and the documents must be up to date. Outdated addresses are a common issue — if you’ve recently moved and haven’t updated your ID, you’ll need to provide an additional proof of your current address.

Step-by-Step: How to Prepare the Right ID

1. Bring a Valid Photocard Driving Licence

This is the best-case scenario. A valid UK photocard driving licence covers both identification and proof of address in one go. Make sure the licence is in date and the address on the card matches your current residence. If this is all in order, you likely won’t need to bring any other documents.

2. No Driving Licence? Use Passport + Proof of Address

If you don’t drive or have lost your driving licence, you can still scrap your car legally. Instead, bring a passport (to confirm your identity) and one of the following documents to verify your address:

These documents must be dated within the last 3 months and clearly show your name and current address. Scanned or digital printouts are usually accepted if legible and complete.

3. Check for Matching Details

Before heading to the scrap yard or arranging collection, take a moment to check that your documents match. The most common reason a transaction is delayed is mismatched names or addresses. If your driving licence has your old address, bring a recent utility bill that shows your current one. If you're scrapping on behalf of someone else, you'll need their written consent and possibly their ID as well — speak to the yard beforehand for clarity.

4. Be Prepared for ID Checks at Collection

If your car is being collected from your home or another address, the driver will still ask to see your ID. This is a legal requirement and must be completed before the vehicle is taken away. In most cases, they’ll simply check and record your details or take a photo of the documents using a secure mobile system. This ensures the yard stays compliant with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act.

5. Understand What Happens to Your ID

Your ID is not used for marketing, passed to third parties, or stored beyond the legal requirement. The scrap yard will securely store your details as required by law. These records may be inspected by authorities to investigate fraud, stolen vehicles, or other criminal activity. If you’re concerned about data protection, ask the scrap yard how they store and secure this information — reputable ATFs like blackburnscrapyard.co.uk have strict policies in place to protect your data.

Other Important Things to Know

No Cash Payments Allowed

Alongside ID requirements, the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 also made it illegal for scrap yards to pay in cash. All payments for scrap vehicles must be made via a traceable method — typically a bank transfer or cheque. This is another reason why ID is required: to match payment records to the person scrapping the vehicle. Be prepared to provide your bank details when scrapping your car. Payment is usually made on the same day or within 24 hours of the vehicle being processed.

What If You Don’t Have ID?

If you show up at the yard without valid ID, the staff will not be able to accept the vehicle. If the car is being collected and you cannot produce ID at the time, the driver may cancel the collection. This causes delays and frustration for everyone involved. If you’ve lost your driving licence or don’t have a passport, you’ll need to gather another acceptable combination of documents or apply for replacements before proceeding.

How blackburnscrapyard.co.uk Makes It Easy

We aim to make the ID process as simple and stress-free as possible. When you book a collection or quote with blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we’ll tell you exactly what documents to prepare. On the day of collection, our drivers will guide you through the quick ID check and ensure the transaction is fully compliant. If you have questions about which documents are acceptable or need time to find alternatives, just let us know — we’ll work with you to make sure everything goes smoothly.

We accept a UK photocard driving licence as full ID and address proof.

We also accept a passport + utility bill or similar document dated within 3 months.

Our collection drivers check ID on arrival and complete all paperwork on-site.

We never accept scrap vehicles without valid ID — it’s the law.

Contact our team today to ask about accepted ID types or to arrange a free collection. We’re here to make car scrapping secure, legal, and stress-free — with full guidance at every step.

Useful Resources

Need help preparing your ID for car scrapping? Talk to us now — we’ll walk you through every step.

Legal Context

Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, scrap yards (including ATFs that scrap cars) are legally required to verify the identity and address of anyone offering scrap. This means you must provide an acceptable form of ID. The law’s intent is to prevent theft and ensure all scrap transactions are traceable. The most convenient ID is a UK photocard driving licence, as it contains your photograph, name, and current address, satisfying all requirements in one document. If you use a passport (which has your photo but no address), the yard will also ask for a proof of address (such as a utility bill, bank statement, or council tax letter, dated within the last 3 months). These documents are recorded by the scrap dealer – they might take a copy or note down details, as they must keep records. Without valid ID, the scrap yard cannot legally complete the transaction.

Why This Matters

People sometimes show up to scrap a car not realizing they need ID, which can cause a wasted trip. There’s confusion especially if the car is being collected from your home – but even then, the driver collecting will ask to see your ID. Some worry about privacy (handing over copies of documents) but it’s a legal requirement. Another pain point is if someone doesn’t have a driving licence – e.g., elderly owners or those who don’t drive – they must ensure they have a passport or other photo ID available, which not everyone keeps readily. Also, if your ID address is outdated (e.g., you haven’t updated your driving licence after moving), you’ll need additional proof to show your current address, which can be inconvenient.

Quick Step-by-Step Summary

  • Prepare a valid photo ID: The best is a photocard driving licence (UK) as it has your photo and address. Ensure it’s in date and the address is current. If no driving licence: Use your passport or another government-issued photo ID (such as a UK biometric residence permit). Bring proof of address: If your photo ID does not show your address (or it’s outdated), provide a recent proof of address. Acceptable documents include utility bills, bank or credit card statements, or council tax letters (dated within the last 3 months). The name and address on these should match your identity. Allow ID verification: At the scrap yard (or upon collection), present these documents. The staff will check your name and address and likely record the details or photocopy them for their records. This is routine and required by law. No cash policy reminder: Remember that because ID is required under the law, payment is done via traceable methods (no cash). So, along with ID, be prepared to provide bank details if they will transfer payment electronically, or they will issue a cheque in your name. Ensure consistency: The person named on the ID should ideally be the person present scrapping the car. If you’re scrapping on behalf of someone else, you might need ID for both parties (your ID because you’re physically scrapping it, and perhaps proof of the owner’s consent). However, generally the scrap yard only needs the ID of the individual handing over the vehicle.

Sources & References

  • Scrap Car Network FAQ – ID Requirements; Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 – Verification of Identity Section

Helpful External Links

  • https://www.scrapcarnetwork.org/scrap-car-faqs/how-do-i-prove-my-identity, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/10/section/11/enacted