A licence is required to operate mobile mechanical plant machinery - such as cherry pickers and scissor lifts - on roads, footways, footpaths, verges and back streets.
We must ensure that any request does not represent a safety hazard.
Any company that can provide evidence it has £5 million public liability insurance and proof of competence - a Powered Access Licence card or similar - can apply for a licence. To use the machinery for less than a day, no licence is required and no fee is payable, but the local highways office must still be notified and the guidance must be followed. To use the machinery for more than a day, you'll need a licence, which is valid for up to two weeks.
To apply for a licence, or an extension, download the application form (pdf / 290 KB) and return it to your local area highways office. Refer to our list of fees and charges for cost details.
If there is a remaining unobstructed footway width of less than 1.2 metres or carriageway width of less than 6.75 metres while the plant is in place, you will need to provide a plan of the location and describe how pedestrian and / or vehicle traffic would be managed.
The machinery must be signed, guarded and illuminated in accordance with guidelines and any additional special conditions.
