Fly-tipping enforcement in 2026: what's changed
New laws this year let courts add penalty points to fly-tippers' licences and encourage councils to crush vehicles. Here's what it means.
Fly-tipping enforcement across England got significantly tougher in 2026. If you hire clearance companies — or want to understand the risks of using unregistered operators — here’s what has changed and why it matters.
Penalty points for fly-tipping
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduced a new power: courts can now add three to nine penalty points to a fly-tipper’s driving licence alongside any fine or other sentence.
For anyone who has held a licence for fewer than two years, six points mean automatic revocation. For established drivers, the usual 12-point threshold applies — accumulate them within three years and disqualification follows. A single serious incident could attract nine points, leaving someone close to that line in one go.
Councils are now actively crushing vehicles
The government has published guidance urging councils to use their existing powers to seize and destroy vehicles used in fly-tipping. Those powers have been on the statute book for years, but take-up was uneven. The new guidance sets out clearly how councils can pursue cases and secure convictions — removing vehicles permanently in the process.
Enforcement is already active in Surrey. Surrey Heath Borough Council prosecuted an offender in April 2026 after CCTV and number plate recognition caught a vehicle dumping waste in Camberley. The offender was ordered to pay over £1,400 in fines and costs.
What this means if you’re hiring a clearance company
The new penalties target the people doing the dumping. But there’s a parallel risk for anyone booking a clearance.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, your duty of care for your waste continues after you’ve handed it over. If an unlicensed carrier dumps your rubbish illegally, you can face a fixed penalty notice even if you had no idea that was their plan. The onus is on you to check.
The quick check is the Environment Agency’s public register — search by business name or licence number. Our duty of care guide covers how that works in full, including what a waste transfer note is and why it matters.
Our licence
We’re registered under Environment Agency licence CBDU619794. Every load goes to a licensed transfer station.
To book a clearance in Surrey, call 07488 259891, Monday to Saturday, 07:00 to 18:00 — or use the quote form.
