Self-Containment Requirements
Self-containment, made clearer
Check one system at a time
Go to the source
Start with what your vehicle needs. Then use the official guidance for the details of your installation.
The starting point: people × three days
Your setup must meet the needs of everyone the vehicle is certified for, for at least three days. The inspector looks at all the facilities together, including how they work in your actual vehicle.
Tank size is one part of the assessment. Access, usability, secure installation and safe waste disposal also matter.
What your vehicle needs
Use these six topics to work through your setup. Open each one for the main things to check.
1. Fresh water, clean, secure and sufficient
Store, fill and deliver drinking water without contamination. Tanks and connections must be suitable for their purpose, supported and secured.
PGDB guidance: allow at least 4 litres per person per day, 12 litres per person for three days. Allow more for flushing toilets or other water-using facilities.
2. Wastewater, collect it and empty it safely
Collect and store wastewater securely and hygienically. Check connections, drainage, traps, ventilation and a suitable way to empty the system into an appropriate disposal point.
PGDB guidance: wastewater capacity should be at least the fresh-water capacity. The system must cope with three days’ use.
3. Fixed toilet, installed properly and usable inside
The toilet must be permanently fixed and usable within the vehicle, with waste emptied without removing its base. Check that it is accessible in your normal travelling setup.
PGDB guidance: allow at least 1 litre of toilet waste capacity per person per day, 3 litres per person for three days.
If you’re using Fix-a-Potty, read the PGDB Fix-a-Potty technical guidance and our installation guide. The full vehicle setup still needs to be assessed.
4. Sink, fitted safely and connected to wastewater
Your sink must be installed safely and drain into the wastewater system. Check the trap and connections, and make sure it is practical for handwashing and washing dishes.
5. Rubbish, secure storage for the trip
Provide secure, fit-for-purpose rubbish storage.
PGDB guidance: use sealable storage and allow about 1 litre per person per day for three days.
6. Ventilation, manage odours and foul air
Ventilation must remove odours and minimise foul air and gases entering the vehicle. Check the ventilation for your toilet and wastewater installation as well as the vehicle’s layout. An open window alone does not demonstrate that the whole system meets the requirements.
What is law, and what is guidance?
The Regulations set the legal requirements. They describe how the systems must perform. The Motor Vehicle Inspections Notice sets out what inspectors must inspect, verify and record.
PGDB guidance explains practical ways to meet those requirements. The litre figures above are guidance, rather than fixed tank-size rules written into the Regulations. Meeting a volume figure alone does not confirm that the vehicle qualifies.
A quick check before you book
- Check that tanks, fittings and equipment are secure and free from leaks.
- Make sure the toilet can be used with the vehicle realistically loaded.
- Clearly identify fresh-water and wastewater containers.
- Check the whole setup for the proposed number of occupants over three days.
- If something is unclear, ask before buying parts or arranging your inspection.
Questions people often ask
Do I need a green warrant for every camping trip?
Self-containment requirements generally apply to freedom camping on public land, with exceptions for designated non-self-contained sites. They do not apply to stays at campgrounds, holiday parks or private property. Always check site rules and local restrictions.
Can I still use a blue warrant?
The transition has ended. Since 7 June 2026, only green-warrant certification is recognised under the national self-containment system.
Does a sticker mean my vehicle is certified?
No. A promotional sticker is not proof of certification. You need a valid certificate, the green warrant card displayed in your vehicle, and a current record on the national register.
Can a small campervan qualify?
Size alone does not decide the outcome. Each vehicle is assessed against all the requirements, including whether the fixed toilet is usable inside.
Official rules and useful reading
Practical guidance
This is a preparation guide. Use the official sources for the full requirements; those sources take precedence. Reviewed 8 October 2026.
Let’s make your next step easier
Browse our guides and articles, ask us about your setup, or use the step-by-step certification checklist.
