Guidance

Street works permits for electric vehicle charge point operators

Published 19 March 2026

Applies to England

Overview and purpose of the guidance

This good practice guidance is aimed at highway authorities and electric vehicle charge point operators (EVCPOs) installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points on the public highway. It explains recent changes to the street works regime that affect how public EV charge points are installed.

Previously, EV charge point installations were carried out under section 50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA), requiring organisations without statutory rights, including EVCPOs, to obtain a street works licence from each relevant highway authority. In contrast, statutory undertakers such as utility companies have long been able to carry out works using street works permits under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

Legislative changes introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Act (PIA) 2025 now grant EVCPOs the right to carry out the street works using the permitting regime. Amendments to the Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007 (2007 Permit Regulations) ensure that EVCPOs are included within the definition of ‘undertaker’ for operational and enforcement purposes.

This guidance sets out what these changes mean in practice. It:

• provides an overview of the legislative changes made by the PIA 2025 and subsequent amendments to the 2007 permit regulations
• explains the shift from section 50 licencing to the permit-based regime
• outlines expectations for early engagement, coordination duties, permit applications, enforcement, and long‑term responsibilities
• offers a clear roadmap for the new process to support efficient, consistent, and compliant rollout of public EV charge points

Overall, it aims to support highway authorities and EVCPOs in navigating the revised street works framework, ensuring that installations are well‑coordinated and fully aligned with statutory requirements.

The following statutory guidance lays out standards for carrying out street works, maintenance, roles and responsibilities of undertakers and authorities:

• Specification for the reinstatement of openings in highways (SROH)
• Safety code of practice
• Co-ordination code of practice
• Inspections code of practice
• Permit schemes: statutory guidance for highway authorities

Background and legislative context

The NRSWA governs street works by statutory undertakers and licence-holders. EVCPOs previously had no statutory right and required section 50 licences, resulting in varied processes and costs across authorities as well as significant delays. The PIA 2025 amended NRSWA to allow EVCPOs access to street works permits. The 2007 Permit Regulations were likewise amended to include CPOs within the definition of undertaker, ensuring enforcement consistency.

As a result, CPOs have a legal right to install charge points in the public highway using street works permits.

These changes apply in England only.

What has changed

Previously, EVCPOs needed section 50 licences under NRSWA, which could take many weeks or months to process, cost significantly more and required separate local arrangements.

Now EVCPOs may use the nationally standardised street works permit regime, using Street Manager for all applications, with consistent fees and statutory response times. This streamlines installation and supports the rapid expansion of EV charge points. 

When CPOs should use a street works permit

A street works permit is required for any works associated with installing public EV charge points where the work involves breaking or opening the highway.

Planning permission, where required, must be secured separately and before applying for a permit.

Using Street Manager

Street Manager is a DfT-managed digital platform for planning, managing and coordinating street works.

To access Street Manager, organisations need to be issued with an Street Works Act (SWA) code by GeoPlace.

Read separate guidance on the allocation of SWA codes.

EVCPOs with an SWA code must submit permit applications through Street Manager.

CPOs must ensure staff are familiar with Street Manager training material and tutorials.

You can: 

• watch DfT videos about how to use Street Manager

• read guidance on how to sign up for and use Street Manager

Highway authorities use Street Manager to assess applications, issue permits, record refusals, coordinate works, and update network activity data.

Pre-application expectations and coordination duties

Undertakers and authorities must coordinate works and cooperate (sections 59 and 60 of NRSWA). This requires early engagement before permit submission.

Coordination and agreement on the location of EV charge points should be determined before an application is made, through engagement, planning, site surveys, and integration with local EV strategies.

Permit applications should reflect pre-application engagement as authorities may refuse permits where applications diverge from earlier coordination and agreement. 

Permit application process

Permit applications must include detailed descriptions of:

• works
• location
• timing
• traffic management
• reinstatement proposals
• expected duration
• evidence of prior engagement

Authorities must provide responses within statutory timeframes as laid out in statutory guidance - typically 2 to 5 working days.

Permit refusal codes may be used for insufficient information, lack of prior agreement, or other valid reasons consistent with statutory guidance.

Highway authority responsibilities

Highway authorities have a duty to:

• review permit applications promptly
• ensure coordination with other works
• apply statutory guidance on fees and timings
• ensure accessibility and safety standards
• enforce permit conditions

The permit application is not designed to control the location of apparatus, which must be determined separately during early engagement and planning consideration.

Enforcement framework

EVCPOs now fall under the same enforcement regime as statutory undertakers for permit purposes. Working without a permit or breaching permit conditions are serious offences that can result in disruption for road users, increased congestion and risks to safety.

Timely submission of works start and stop notices is essential to ensure that up‑to‑date information is available to road users, helping to reduce congestion and the impact of works on services such as bus routes.

Timely notification of reinstatements enables highway authorities to:

• carry out inspections to ensure compliance with safety and technical standards
• identify and rectify defects promptly so they do not contribute to an increase in potholes

Highway authorities may issue fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for these offences, providing an alternative to criminal prosecution.

The FPN for late notification of reinstatements, late works start and stop notices, and breaches of permit conditions is £240, discounted to £160 if paid within 29 days. For working without a permit, the FPN is £1,000, discounted to £600 if paid within 29 days.

Highway authorities carry out routine and targeted inspections of street works to check compliance with safety requirements and technical standards. These inspections assess whether works comply with

• the safety code of practice
• permit conditions
• the Specification for the reinstatement of openings in highways (SROH)

A performance‑based inspections regime operates to assess and monitor compliance, with poorer performers subject to more frequent inspections than those demonstrating high levels of compliance. Undertakers are responsible for the cost of each inspection.

For serious or repeated safety breaches, or where an FPN is not paid, highway authorities may pursue criminal prosecution under NRSWA. This is typically reserved for more serious cases where there is significant risk to public safety or persistent non‑compliance.

Under section 74 of the NWRSA 1991, highway authorities may also charge undertakers for occupation of the highway where works are unreasonably prolonged. These overrun charges vary depending on the type of road and the number of days overrun and can be up to £10,000 per day.

Asset ownership and long-term maintenance

EV CPOs remain responsible for the charge points they install, including ensuring the apparatus is kept in efficient condition under NRSWA duties. Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 further impose reliability reporting, 24/7 helpline requirements, and enforcement mechanisms.

There is no operator-of-last-resort regime. However, assets retain commercial value and in the rare case of market failure, government would expect that these assets would be proactively integrated into competitors’ networks. 

Changes to other permissions including section 115E

Previously, some authorities required EVCPOs to apply for permission under section 115E of the Highways Act 1980 in addition to the section 50 licences. 

The PIA 2025 amended the Highways Act 1980 to prohibit highway authorities from requiring section 115E permissions for EV charge point installations where works could be authorised by either a street works permit or a section 50 licence. This removes duplication and reduces delays.

Traffic regulation orders still apply where EV bays or restrictions are to be introduced, ensuring continued consultation with residents and businesses.