Regulations · 3 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Crane lift permits UK: highway licences, road closures and oversailing
When a permit is needed
- A mobile crane sets up on the road, pavement or verge
- A HIAB lorry's outriggers stand on the highway
- The load, hook or jib passes over the road or pavement during the lift
- Parking bays need suspending for the lorry or crane
- Pedestrians or traffic must be diverted or held while the lift happens
If everything happens inside your own site boundary, with no part of the crane, load or exclusion zone on the highway, a highway licence is not normally needed. The lift still needs planning under LOLER.
What councils typically ask for
Each highway authority runs its own process, but the requirements are similar across the UK. As one example, West Sussex County Council asks for applications at least 7 working days ahead, or 6 weeks if a road closure is needed, with a copy of £10 million public liability insurance, and its 2026 initial crane or oversail licence fee is £467 for up to 4 weeks.
| Item | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Notice period | Around 7 to 10 working days for a licence |
| Road closure or traffic order | Often 4 to 12 weeks' notice |
| Public liability cover | Often £5 million to £10 million |
| Documents | Site plan, lift plan or method statement, traffic management plan |
| Fee | Varies by council, commonly a few hundred pounds |
Oversailing neighbouring land
In England and Wales, a landowner's rights extend to the airspace above their land at a height that matters for its use, and courts have treated crane jibs swinging over a neighbour's property without permission as trespass. In practice this means asking neighbours for written consent if the jib or load will pass over their roof, garden or yard.
- Speak to neighbours early and explain the date, time and duration
- Put agreement in writing, including any times to avoid
- Offer to keep the slew path away from their property where the lift plan allows
- Allow extra time where a neighbour is a business with deliveries or customers
Traffic management and parking
Lifts on busy roads usually need signs, cones and sometimes trained traffic marshals to hold pedestrians and vehicles while the load is in the air. In towns and cities, councils may restrict lifts to early mornings, evenings or Sundays. Parking bay suspensions are often a separate application with its own fee and notice period.
Red routes, bus lanes and roads near schools often carry extra conditions. In London, roads on the red route network are managed by Transport for London rather than the borough.
How to keep the date
- Book the survey early so the mover can draw up the lift plan in time for the application
- Ask who will apply for the licence and who pays the fee
- Have a backup date in mind, as high winds can stop a crane lift on the day
- Check your own site rules and your landlord's consent if you are a tenant
- Tell neighbours and occupiers of shared yards well before the day
Wind is the most common reason a planned lift is postponed. Mobile cranes have wind speed limits set out in the lift plan, and the appointed person or crane supervisor will stop the lift if they are exceeded.
Lifts inside your own site
Lifts entirely within private land avoid the highway licence but not the rest of the planning. The ground under outriggers still needs checking for cellars, drains, manholes, soft ground and tarmac that may not take the pad loads. Overhead power lines near the site are a serious hazard and the lift plan should keep the crane well clear of them, following the network operator's advice where needed.
Shared yards and business parks often have their own rules, such as permits from the estate manager, set hours for heavy vehicles and agreement from neighbouring units. Check the estate rules and your lease, because a landlord may need to consent to a crane on common areas.
Common mistakes
- Booking the crane before checking how long the council needs
- Assuming a short lift does not need a licence because it only takes an hour
- Forgetting that outriggers need firm ground and may sit over cellars or drains
- Not telling neighbours until the morning of the lift
- Leaving no room in the programme for a weather postponement
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a crane licence from the council?
Many councils ask for at least 7 to 10 working days for a standard crane or oversail licence. If the lift needs a road closure or temporary traffic regulation order, the notice period is usually several weeks and can be 6 weeks or more. Check the specific council's website early, as rules and fees differ between areas.
Does a HIAB lorry need a permit to lift on the road?
Often, yes. Many councils treat lorry loader cranes the same as mobile cranes when outriggers are on the highway or the load swings over the road or pavement. Some allow short lifts during normal loading under parking rules, but conditions vary widely. Check with the local highway authority, or ask your mover to confirm before the day.
Who applies for the crane licence?
It depends on the agreement. In many cases the crane hire company or machinery mover applies, because they hold the lift plan, insurance and traffic management details. Sometimes the client is expected to apply or pay the fee. Agree this in writing at the quotation stage so nobody assumes the other has done it.
crane permit highway licence oversailing road closure
