What is a forklift licence?
There is no such thing as a licence to operate a forklift. Many people refer to their certificate of basic training as a “licence” but this is not the case. The certificate is issued upon successful completion of a training course.
If I don’t drive a car, can I operate a forklift truck?
Yes, you don’t need to hold a driving licence to operate a forklift truck. The only time this would become applicable would be when the forklift would be traveling on the public highway.
Does everyone need to be trained on a forklift truck?
Your employer has a general duty under section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to provide information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the health and safety of their employees. Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 employers are required to ‘ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken’. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also place duties on employers to provide training. By not providing you with any training at all, your employer could be breaking the law. Rider-operated lift trucks includes the requirements for basic lift-truck training.
What age do I need to be to operate a forklift?
The minimum age is school leaver’s age, which is now 18 years of age.
I have never used a forklift before, what is the best course for me?
You would be required to do a 5 day novice course. The amount of day could be reduced to 3 days if the training is 1:1. For course costs and available dates follow the course link.
I have lots of experience but have lost my certificate, what length of course do I require?
You would be required to do a 3 day experienced operators course. Although you have lots of experience you would need to produce a certificate of previous training to be able to do a 1 day refresher course. For course costs and available dates follow the course link.
My certificate has just run out what course do I do?
You would be required to do a 1 day refresher course. For course costs and available dates follow the course link.
Where can I complete my forklift training?
We are offering forklift training course at all of our training centres which includes depots in Portsmouth, Southampton, Reading and Worthing, which gives us good coverage of the Hampshire, Berkshire and West Sussex regions.
What’s involved in the examination process?
Testing is broken down into 3 parts.
- Pre shift check test
- Theory test consisting of 20 multiple choice question and 5 short explanation questions.
- Practical operational test. Driving though a chicane and 3 lifts a differing heights.
I have a learning difficulty or I don’t speak English will I struggle on the course?
Our instructors are trained to give assistance to students that require a bit of extra tuition. They can read the theory test questions to the students if required and assist in any way to make the learning process as easy as possible.
What accreditation will I get?
2 Start Training Ltd is accredited to ITSSAR (Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register). They are one of the most recognised accreditation for forklift training. Driving forklift trucks requires specialised training and instruction from fully qualified trainers. This can help reduce the likelihood of accidents and improve the safety of both drivers and pedestrians. Professional forklift driver training can also reduce truck downtime, racking and product damage. To drive any forklift truck correctly it requires training in a classroom and in a hands-on environment, thus ensuring things run as smoothly as possible once the candidates have passed successfully.
