Forklift Truck Site

Forklift Licence

Operators are often uncertain whether they need a forklift truck licence.

In fact unless driven on the public highway no formal forklift driver's licence is required. However once on public roads fork lift drivers would need to be 17 years of age to drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes, 18 for forklift trucks up to 7.5 tonnes, and over 21 for heavier plant.

Clearly where a forklift is going to be used on public roads it must be taxed and have adequate forklift insurance, even if a forklift licence is not a legal requirement. In terms of accredited training, insurance companies may impose their own requirements for forklift drivers before insurance cover is extended.

In practice, whilst there is no formal forklift truck licence or forklift driver's licence, employers have a duty of care to employees to provide adequate forklift safety training. To this end training providers can train and assess fork lift drivers and provide certification to an employer. A certificate from a fork lift training provider is therefore the nearest equivalent to a forklift licence.

In summary, a driving licence is required where a forklift is to be driven at any time on public roads. Whilst there exists no forklift licence, employers must provide training through accredited forklift training providers.