A lorry loader course trains you to safely operate a vehicle-mounted crane, often called a HIAB. At EP Training, the initial ALLMI lorry loader course takes 2 days and costs £575. Experienced operators can renew with a 1-day refresher for £375. Both lead to an ALLMI card valid for 5 years.
Lorry loaders are on almost every building site, builders’ merchant yard and delivery route in the UK. They save time and labour, but in untrained hands they’re one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment on a vehicle. Overturns, dropped loads and contact with overhead power lines all happen when operators haven’t been trained properly.
At EP Training we’ve been training commercial drivers and operators since 1981. This guide covers what a lorry loader course involves, the cost, the entry requirements, how it compares to HIAB training, and the different types of truck cranes.
What Is a Lorry Loader Course?
A lorry loader is a hydraulic crane mounted on a lorry chassis, used to load and unload goods without a separate crane or forklift. A lorry loader course teaches you to set up, operate and stow that crane safely, and to plan lifts within its rated limits.
Who needs lorry loader training?
- Delivery drivers for builders’ merchants and timber yards
- Scaffolding, roofing and construction firms
- Plant hire and equipment delivery companies
- Landscaping, aggregates and skip operators
- Anyone asked by their employer to operate a vehicle-mounted crane
Lorry Loader Training vs HIAB Training: What's the Difference?
There’s no difference. They’re the same thing. HIAB is a brand of lorry loader crane that became so common its name is now used for every lorry loader, the same way people say “Hoover” for any vacuum cleaner.
| What people call it | What it means |
|---|---|
| HIAB training | Lorry loader training (brand name used as a general term) |
| Lorry loader course | The official industry term |
| Knuckle boom crane training | Describes the folding crane arm most lorry loaders use |
| Vehicle-mounted crane training | General term used in safety guidance |
Whatever it’s called, an operator needs the same skills and the same accredited qualification. ALLMI (the Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers) is the UK industry body for lorry loaders, and its card is the one most employers ask for.
Lorry Loader Course Requirements
The requirements depend on which course you take.
Initial ALLMI course (new operators)
For new and less-experienced operators with less than 15 hours of practical experience. You’ll need:
- To be physically fit to operate the crane safely, with good eyesight and hearing
- Enough English to understand instructions and complete the theory test
- To be of working age. Employers and sites usually expect operators to be 18 or over.
Refresher ALLMI course (renewing operators)
You’ll need:
- A previous industry-accredited qualification from ALLMI, ITTSAR or RTITB
- At least 15 hours of practical experience in the last 12 months
- A qualification that’s current or expired no more than 6 months ago
Do you need an HGV licence for a lorry loader course?
You don’t need an HGV licence to operate the crane itself. To drive the lorry it’s mounted on, you’ll need the right licence for its weight, usually C1 (3.5–7.5 tonnes) or C (over 7.5 tonnes). Many operators combine lorry loader training with C1 driver training or HGV training.
What's Covered on a Lorry Loader Course?
An ALLMI lorry loader course mixes classroom theory with hands-on practice. You’ll learn:
- Legislation and responsibilities: LOLER, PUWER and your duties as an operator
- Pre-use checks: daily inspections, hydraulics, controls and safety devices
- Site and ground assessment: ground conditions, slopes, overhead power lines and obstructions
- Setting up stabilisers: deploying outriggers and spreader pads correctly
- Rated capacity charts: working out safe loads at different reaches
- Slinging and signalling: attaching loads and communicating with a slinger or signaller
- Operating the crane: remote and manual controls, smooth lifting, slewing and placing
- Stowing and travelling: stowing the crane correctly before driving
- Assessment: a theory test and a practical test
At EP Training, centre-based courses cover the hook and remote control. Other attachments, such as brick grabs, clam shells and shovels, are covered through our in-company training.
Lorry Loader Course Cost
Here’s what EP Training’s ALLMI lorry loader courses cost:
Initial ALLMI · £575
2 days. For new or less-experienced operators with under 15 hours' practical experience.
Refresher ALLMI · £375
1 day. For renewing operators, and includes 7 hours of Driver CPC.
In-Company · £795 + VAT
Daily rate. Your team is trained on-site with your own vehicles and all approved attachments.
| Course | Duration | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial ALLMI training | 2 days | £575 | New or less-experienced operators |
| Refresher ALLMI tuition | 1 day | £375 | Renewing operators. Includes 7 hours of Driver CPC. |
| In-company training | Per day | £795 + VAT | Teams trained on-site |
In-company training also costs £8.75 per person for Driver CPC registration, plus travel fees. Prices correct at time of writing; check the course page for the latest.
What affects the cost of a lorry loader course?
- Experience level: novices need the full 2-day course, while experienced operators can take the 1-day refresher.
- Attachments: training on grabs, clam shells or shovels needs in-company training.
- Location: centre-based courses vs on-site training at your premises.
- Group size: in-company training for several operators usually costs less per person.
Good value to look for: the refresher course includes 7 hours of Driver CPC, so professional drivers renew their lorry loader card and complete a CPC module in one day.
How Long Does a Lorry Loader Certificate Last?
An ALLMI lorry loader card is valid for 5 years. Before it runs out, you’ll need a refresher course to renew it for another 5 years.
What Are the Different Types of Truck Cranes?
Not every crane on a truck is a lorry loader. Here are the main types:
- Knuckle boom cranes (lorry loaders/HIABs): a jointed arm that folds compactly behind the cab or at the rear. The most common type on UK delivery vehicles, and the one an ALLMI lorry loader course covers.
- Telescopic (stiff boom) cranes: a straight boom that extends in sections. Gives a long, simple reach.
- Behind-cab cranes: mounted between the cab and the load bed. The most common lorry loader set-up.
- Rear-mounted cranes: fitted at the back of the vehicle, often with a removable or folding design. Good for unloading at the kerb.
- Mobile, all-terrain and rough-terrain cranes: dedicated crane vehicles for heavy lifts, not goods vehicles with a crane fitted. These need different training, such as a CPCS mobile crane qualification.
Common lorry loader attachments: hooks, brick and block grabs, clam shell buckets, pallet forks, rotators and, on approved equipment, man baskets.
Lorry Loader Safety and the Law
Lorry loaders are covered by two main sets of regulations:
- LOLER: lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every 12 months, or every 6 months if it’s used to lift people or for lifting accessories. Every lift must be planned by a competent person.
- PUWER: equipment must be suitable, maintained and used only by people with adequate training.
The most common lorry loader accidents
Overturning
Usually caused by poor ground, stabilisers not fully deployed, or exceeding the rated capacity.
Power Lines
Contact with overhead power lines is often fatal, and avoidable with proper site assessment.
Dropped Loads
From poor slinging or damaged lifting accessories, and crushing injuries from standing too close.
Proper training is the best way to prevent all of these.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a lorry loader course?
At EP Training, the initial 2-day ALLMI lorry loader course costs £575 and the 1-day refresher costs £375. In-company training is £795 + VAT per day.
Is HIAB training the same as lorry loader training?
Yes. HIAB is a brand name that's become the everyday term for any lorry loader crane. HIAB training and lorry loader training lead to the same ALLMI qualification.
Do I need a licence to operate a HIAB?
You don't need a driving licence to operate the crane, but employers and sites expect an accredited qualification such as an ALLMI card. To drive the lorry on public roads, you'll need the right licence, usually C1 or C.
How long does a lorry loader certificate last?
An ALLMI lorry loader card is valid for 5 years. You can renew it with a 1-day refresher course.
Can I do a lorry loader course with no experience?
Yes. The initial 2-day ALLMI course is designed for new and less-experienced operators with under 15 hours of practical experience.
Conclusion
A lorry loader course is the quickest way to become a safe, qualified HIAB operator. Whether you’re new to vehicle-mounted cranes or renewing your card, the right training protects you, your colleagues and the public, and keeps your employer on the right side of LOLER and PUWER.
EP Training offers the 2-day initial ALLMI course for £575, a 1-day refresher with 7 hours of Driver CPC for £375, and in-company training at your premises with all approved attachments.
