Most HIAB jobs need no special permit. But certain operations — lifting over a public highway, abnormal loads or night working in some areas — require advance notice or formal authorisation.
The good news is that the majority of HIAB truck operations in the UK require no special permit beyond the vehicle's standard operator licence and insurance. However, certain circumstances do trigger formal requirements, and failing to comply can result in fines, delay or — more seriously — a lift that cannot legally take place.
A HIAB truck operating entirely within a private site or placing a load directly from the vehicle into a private location requires no permit. The vehicle is simply a lorry with a crane; it operates under standard HGV road and operator licensing rules.
If any part of the lift — the crane jib, the load in transit, or the rigging — passes over a public highway, a Section 59 licence under the Highways Act may be required. In practice, the local highway authority (council) must be notified and may require a brief lift plan. Our team handles all highway authority notifications as part of our service.
If the vehicle plus load exceeds 44 tonnes gross, 4.3 metres width or specific length limits, it becomes a Special Types General Order (STGO) movement. This requires DVSA notification and, for the largest movements, police escort. HIAB Services UK manages all abnormal load compliance in-house.
Some lifts require the temporary closure of one or more lanes of a public road — for example, lifting across a road or into a building from the street. A temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) or Section 14 closure is required, typically applied for at least 6–8 weeks in advance through the local council. We advise on this requirement during our pre-job survey.
Night-time operations in noise-sensitive areas (near hospitals, residential streets) may require a Noise at Work permit from the local environmental health team. Urban authorities such as Transport for London have specific night-work licensing requirements.
The key is lead time. Most permit applications take 2–6 weeks. Contact us as early as possible so we can identify any requirements and get applications submitted without delaying your project. Call 0330 175 8197 to discuss your job.
Working to recognised UK transport, lifting and safety standards — across England, Scotland and Wales.
