A HIAB lorry arriving on time is only useful if it can legally and safely set up where the load needs to go. That is why HIAB permit requirements should be checked at the planning stage, not when the vehicle is already at the gate. A missed parking suspension, unsuitable outrigger position or unplanned road closure can stop a lift before it starts.
There is no single national “HIAB permit” that covers every job. The permissions and controls depend on the lifting location, how much highway space is needed, the load, the crane configuration and the local authority’s rules. For work on private land, the focus may be a competent lifting plan and site controls. For a roadside lift in London or the South East, council permissions and traffic management can become the critical path.
What do HIAB permit requirements cover?
A HIAB is commonly used as a general term for a lorry-mounted loader crane, although HIAB is a manufacturer name. These cranes are practical for delivering and positioning cabins, generators, steelwork, plant, glazing, site materials and other loads where a conventional delivery vehicle cannot simply offload at the kerb.
The key question is not simply whether a crane is required. It is whether the lorry can occupy, stabilise and operate from the intended position without putting road users, pedestrians, site personnel or property at risk. This determines which permits, licences and operational arrangements are needed.
For a straightforward lift wholly within a secure private compound, formal highway permissions may not apply. The site will still need to provide safe access, adequate ground conditions, a controlled lifting area and clear information about services, overhead hazards and exclusion zones.
Where any part of the operation uses the public highway – including parking bays, a live carriageway, footway or verge – requirements are usually more involved. The relevant local authority or highway authority may require an approved parking suspension, a highway licence, a temporary traffic regulation order, a road closure or a permit for works. Lead times vary considerably, particularly in central London, busy high streets and restricted areas.
Start with the lift location, not the crane size
Before arranging operated HIAB hire, establish exactly where the lorry will stand and where the load will land. A site address alone is not enough. The planned position must account for vehicle access, turning room, crane radius, outrigger spread, ground bearing capacity and the proximity of people, buildings and services.
A pre-lift site survey is often the quickest way to identify issues that can otherwise cause costly delays. On constrained urban sites, a smaller loader crane may be easier to place, but it may have less available capacity at reach. A larger crane may handle the load comfortably but require a wider road occupation or longer set-up area. The right choice depends on the full lift plan, not only the weight shown on the delivery note.
Pay particular attention to overhead power lines, telecoms cables, trees, balconies, canopies and street furniture. Underground services, cellars, basements and utility chambers also matter because outriggers impose concentrated loads. Outrigger mats can help distribute load, but they do not make poor ground suitable by default. Ground conditions must be assessed as part of the planned operation.
Highway permissions for roadside HIAB lifts
If a HIAB needs to set up on a public road, parking bay or footway, speak with the highway authority early. In many areas, the local council manages parking suspensions and road-space permissions, while a different authority may control certain major roads. Private estates can have their own managing agent approvals too.
The permissions required may include:
- a parking bay suspension where the lorry needs reserved kerbside space;
- a temporary road closure or traffic regulation order where a road must be closed to through traffic;
- a highway occupation or works licence where equipment, outriggers or the lifting operation affects the highway;
- approved traffic management, such as cones, signs, pedestrian diversions or temporary signals;
- separate consent for oversailing where the crane or load passes above neighbouring land.
Not every operation needs every permission. A short lift from a pre-suspended bay with no traffic restriction is very different from a crane set-up across a narrow road outside a school, station or busy commercial premises. The authority will consider road classification, traffic flows, pedestrian routes, bus stops, emergency access and nearby events.
Do not assume that hazard lights, a few cones or a marshal are sufficient authority to block a road. Traffic management must be suitable for the location and installed by competent people where required. If the work affects a footway, maintain a safe pedestrian route or arrange an authorised diversion. Emergency vehicle access must also be considered from the outset.
Lifting plans, LOLER and competent people
Permits allow the job to take place in a particular location. They do not replace the legal duties for planning and managing the lift.
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, lifting operations must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out safely. The plan should reflect the actual task: the load weight and dimensions, lifting points, crane capacity at the required radius, landing area, weather limits, ground conditions, exclusion zone and communication method.
For routine, low-complexity lifts, a standard plan may be suitable if the conditions genuinely match it. Complex lifts, unusual loads, restricted locations, tandem lifting, lifts near live traffic or operations close to overhead lines need more detailed planning. A competent appointed person should determine the level of control required and produce or review the lift plan where appropriate.
The crane, lifting accessories and any attachments must have current thorough examination certification where required. Daily or pre-use checks, maintenance records and visible identification of lifting accessories support a safe operation, but they are not substitutes for formal certification.
Competence is equally important. The operator must be trained and authorised for the particular loader crane and familiar with its safe operating limits. Depending on the job and contractual requirements, evidence may include relevant CPCS or NPORS credentials, driver qualifications and operator training. A slinger/signaller should be competent to attach loads, direct the lift and maintain clear communication with the operator.
Site controls that prevent delays
Even with the correct council approval, a HIAB lift can fail if the site is not ready. The delivery route must be clear of parked vehicles, loose materials, low branches and access restrictions. Confirm gate widths, height limits, one-way systems and the condition of the final approach before the day of the lift.
The landing area needs to be level, clear and capable of supporting the load. Agree who will control access to the lifting zone and how pedestrians, other trades and vehicle movements will be kept outside it. On active construction sites, coordinate with the principal contractor and include the lift in the site programme, traffic plan and daily briefing.
Weather can change the decision on the day. Wind can affect long, light or sheet-like loads well before the crane reaches its stated maximum capacity. Poor visibility, lightning, icy ground and high winds may require the lift to be delayed. Building realistic contingency into the programme is safer and usually cheaper than pressing on under unsuitable conditions.
Who is responsible for arranging permits?
Responsibility should be agreed in writing before the booking is confirmed. Often, the client or principal contractor arranges site access, parking suspensions, road closures and highway permissions because they control the works area and programme. The HIAB hire provider supplies technical information about vehicle dimensions, outrigger footprint, crane loading and operational requirements to support the application.
That division is not fixed. On some operated hire projects, the lifting provider can assist with practical planning and advise what information the authority is likely to need. What matters is that no one assumes another party has applied. Keep copies of approved permits and conditions available on site, and check the dates, operating hours and exact location match the planned lift.
If the load must pass over a neighbour’s land or a public footway, establish whether additional consent is needed. Planning this early protects relationships with adjoining occupiers and avoids last-minute changes to the crane position.
Plan early for a safer, faster lift
The most effective approach is to discuss the load, location and programme before fixing a delivery date. Share photographs, site drawings, load details and the proposed set-up position. A friendly, experienced team can then identify whether a HIAB is the right solution, what space it needs and which permissions should be in place before it arrives.
JBL Group supports customers with modern equipment, certified operatives and practical guidance for lifting projects across the South of England. Getting the permit and lift planning right early gives the whole project a better chance of running safely, on time and without an avoidable aborted delivery.
