A forklift licence is not just a certification; it is a legal requirement.

Gaining a forklift licence proves your ability to operate this equipment safely and responsibly, helping to secure your workplace and reducing the risk of accidents.

Forklift training is essential because it teaches users how to operate and maintain forklifts.

Forklifts are powerful machines that require skilled and experienced operators to handle them safely. Inadequate training can lead to accidents, injuries and even fatalities. Forklifts are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and deaths, with a reported rate of 25% of all workplace incidents, i.e., every 1 in 4 accidents in the workplace involve a forklift truck.

IS THERE AN AGE REQUIREMENT?

You need to be at least 18 years old to apply for a forklift licence.

DO I NEED A MEDICAL BEFORE APPLYING?

You may be required to have a Health Assessment before obtaining your licence. This is to verify that you are physically fit to operate a forklift safely. Most health requirements are good vision and good hearing.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY FORKLIFT TEST?

You will have to pass a written exam and a practical exam before attaining your licence.

The written exam tests your knowledge of forklift operation, so studying the training materials provided will help immensely, while the practical exam assesses your ability to operate the forklift in a controlled manner.

HOW LONG WILL THE COURSE LAST?

Depending on the type of course you need, the time span will vary. Beginner training is a minimum of 5 full days of training.

Conversion Training is around 2-3 days.

Refresher course is 1 full day of training.

These also depend on the number of people on the course.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

The prices vary from the type of forklift training and the training center providing the course, this can be anywhere between £100 for refresher training and up to £750 for complete novice training. Just remember when looking for a Training center, to find one that meets your requirements, and remember that cheaper is not always better.

 HOW LONG WILL MY LICENCE LAST?

Your forklift licence does not have a specified expiry date, although the industry does prefer that your operator’s licence is renewed every 3 years.

WILL MY COUNTERBALANCE LICENCE ALLOW ME TO DRIVE A REACH TRUCK?

No. You must take a different course to gain a licence to drive each individual type of Forklift Truck.

Participating in a recognized forklift training programme is a fundamental requirement in the UK.

All courses must be accredited by one or more of the relevant bodies who are:

RTITB – Road Transport Industry Training Board. RTITB are one of the original accrediting bodies for forklift operators. They have been around since 1972 and are very well known in the industry.

ITSSAR – Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register. ITSSAR provides accreditation for lift operator training, their online certification checker is handy for employers to verify training legitimacy.

CITB – Construction Industry Training Board – CITB manages construction plant operators, their CITB also covers forklifts and rough terrain vehicles.

LANTRA – Lantra National Training Organization Ltd – LANTRA specializes in training for land-based industries and typically deals with rough terrain forklift operators.

NPORS – National Plant Operators Registration Scheme – NPORS covers several types of plant equipment, including rough terrain trucks.

AITT – Association Industrial Truck Trainers.

Get in touch with us here at Training 4 Logistics to find out more about our Forklift Training courses, and our other courses we have to offer.