Apply for a vehicle crossing licence

A vehicle crossing (sometimes called a dropped kerb) is a kerb that is lowered to allow a vehicle to cross over the pavement and onto a driveway.

You need a licence from the council to construct a vehicle crossing outside a residential or commercial property.

You also need to:

  • check if you need planning permission
  • make sure your driveway meets vehicle crossing standards
  • contact an approved contractor to construct the vehicle crossing

Planning permission

You need to check if you need planning permission before your contractor constructs a vehicle crossing. 

For example, you’ll need planning permission if:

  • your property is divided into flats
  • your property is in a conservation area and you’d need to remove a gate pillar, wall or fence that’s over one metre high
  • you need structural work to make the parking area
  • the vehicle crossing is going to be installed on an A, B or C class road

We'll issue an enforcement notice if you install a vehicle crossing without the required planning permission.

We may refuse permission for a vehicle crossing if it would cause a road safety risk. This might be because: 

  • there's not enough visibility of oncoming traffic
  • the property is on a bend or road junction, or close to traffic lights
  • there’s not enough space for a vehicle 
  • a street lamp or street furniture such as a post box, road sign or bench is in the way
  • there’s a steep slope between the property and the road

Driveway standards

You can only construct a vehicle crossing at your property if the driveway meets the correct standards.

Size

The length of the driveway must be at least 5 metres. This is measured from the edge of the pavement that's closest to the driveway to the edge of the property.

The width of the driveway must be at least 2.5 metres.

Construction materials

The driveway must be made from porous asphalt, porous concrete blocks, concrete or clay block permeable paving. It should be laid on a sub-base of materials such as 4/20 or Type 3.

If the driveway has been constructed with loose gravel, we also require the first metre from highway onto the driveway to be constructed in a hard standing material. This helps to stop loose stones from going onto the highway.

Drainage

The driveway must have suitable drainage where it meets the highway boundary. 

This should be across the boundary of the driveway to stop any surface water runoff before it reaches the highway.

Contractors

A contractor must be chosen from the approved contractors list below:

Once you have chosen a contractor and have obtained relevant quotes, you will need to submit the application with the confirmed contractor details. If you do not provide this information, the application cannot be processed. 

Any contractor must also:

Before the contractor starts the work, you should see evidence that they have a licence to excavate the highway. Work done under this licence is covered by the contractor for a maintenance period of two years.

It is your responsibility to make sure your contractor has this licence. If the contractor constructs the vehicle crossing without it, we will not be able to provide you with evidence of the legality of your vehicle crossing.

Completion of work

After we confirm your licence to construct a vehicle crossing, the contractor must complete the work within 12 months. If they don't, you will have to apply again.

Apply for a vehicle crossing licence

Fee

Please note: The application fee is non-refundable.

The licence fee is:

  • £183 for residential properties
  • £275 for commercial properties

You should apply for the licence and make your payment straight afterwards using the reference number we provide. We will process your application after we have received payment.

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