HIAB and lorry-loader crane work is one of the more overlooked routes into well-paid logistics work. It’s not just an add-on to standard HGV driving — for a lot of drivers, it becomes the main reason they get hired. Here’s how the career path actually works.
What a HIAB Career Actually Involves
A HIAB (lorry-mounted crane) operator drives the vehicle to site and then operates the crane to load and unload heavy or awkward items — building materials, plant, timber, steel — without needing separate lifting equipment on site. That combination of driving and crane operation is why HIAB-qualified drivers are in steady demand across construction, agriculture, and general haulage.
How You Get Started
You need an HGV licence for the vehicle itself, then HIAB training for the crane. Training is accredited through ALLMI (the Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers), the recognised UK body for lorry-loader operator training, and is typically structured as:
- Beginners: 2–3 days of training, depending on the attachments you’re training on.
- Experienced operators adding a new attachment: a 1-day conversion course, provided you can show at least 15 hours of relevant crane experience in the past 12 months.
A HIAB ticket isn’t a one-off badge — it’s category-specific, so the crane and attachment you train on is what you’re certified to operate.
Categories Matter
ALLMI certification is split by attachment type — hook, hoist, clamshell, brick grab, pallet and auger attachments each have their own category. If you’re only trained and certified on a hook attachment, you shouldn’t operate a different attachment type until you’ve done conversion training for it. This is worth planning for early: think about what kind of loads your target employers actually handle before choosing which attachments to train on first.
Career Routes From Here
Once qualified, HIAB operators typically move in one of a few directions:
- General haulage with crane-assisted delivery — the most common route, delivering palletised or bulky goods that need unloading without a forklift on site.
- Construction and builders’ merchants — delivering block, timber, and building materials directly to site.
- Specialist plant and steel haulage — higher-paying work that usually requires additional attachment categories and more experience.
For a broader look at how this fits into HGV pay generally, see our guide to HGV driver salaries, where HIAB and crane work consistently sit above standard driving-only rates.
Keeping Your Certification Current
ALLMI certificates are valid for 5 years. It’s worth timing renewals so multiple attachment categories expire together rather than on separate dates, which just means fewer trips back for refresher training over your career.
If you’re already HGV-qualified and want to add HIAB skills, or you’re planning your training from scratch and want crane work built in from day one, see our HIAB training course or read more on advancing your career with HIAB certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an HGV licence before I can train for HIAB?
Yes, you need the relevant driving licence for the vehicle first — HIAB training covers the crane, not the driving.
Can I train on multiple attachment categories at once?
Yes, and many drivers do, since beginner training runs 2–3 days depending on how many attachments are included.
Is HIAB work physically demanding?
It involves more manual handling and situational awareness than standard driving, but the crane does the heavy lifting — your job is operating it safely and efficiently.
Want to talk through whether HIAB training fits your career plans? Get in touch and we’ll help you map out the right route.
