Forklift Driving School: Find Certification Class Near Me

If you're looking online for "forklift certification near me" and find our website, it means you want to learn how to drive a forklift and get a certificate for it.

You can learn forklift driving at places like job training centers, local colleges, or special schools that teach it. They will show you the right way to handle a forklift safely.

If you or your company is trying to find a place to learn forklift driving, we can help you find one close to where you are.

We've got a list of places in every state or area. Just pick where you are from the list below, and you'll see all the options near you.

Where Can You Take Forklift Certification Near Me?

There are lots of places where you can get certified. The best ones are usually the trade schools or local colleges close to you. They have programs that let you take the exam and get certified fast.

Click the state where you are located to see listings of training schools where you can take forklift certification training.

If You Are in Other Country:

Aside from the directory, we also prepared helpful guides to assist you on your journey. Just browse through our blog and FAQs sections, there you will find pieces of information to help you get certified.

You can also read this article about choosing a training school:

• How To Choose The Best Forklift Training School?
• How To Pass The Forklift Practical Test?
• How to Pass the Written Test?
• How to Renew Forklift Certification?
• Is Forklift Certification Online Right For You?

Advantages of Enrolling in Forklift Driving School

Employers that utilize forklifts in business operations must provide safety training to their forklift operators. Some of the benefits that can be reaped from attending the training are:

The school has training programs suited to beginners’ needs. If you are a novice and planning to start a career as a forklift operator or you just want to get additional skills driving forklifts, the school can give you the knowledge you need to get on the job in no time.

• The driving school has a curriculum suited for experienced individuals who want to get a skill upgrade. Specialized training programs such as train-the-trainer and leadership programs can be given to those who are planning to advance their careers.
  
  
• The forklift driving school can help the employer avoid hefty fines and penalties imposed by a government regulatory body such as OSHA, for example. By sending the workers to the school to receive safety training, the employer is complying with the government's rules and regulations.
  
  The employer has just to make sure to keep the training records of the workers. You can show these documents when the inspector pays a visit to the workplace. These are your proofs of compliance so that you will not be cited for a violation.
  
  
• The employer has the option to conduct forklift safety training on-site. You can arrange with the driving school about your requirements and hire a trainer from them to do the actual training in the workplace.
  
  On-site training is the best way the training should be done because the trainer can modify the course to suit the condition of the workplace, the behavior of the workers, and the safety program in place.
  
  
• Some training schools or career centers will help individuals find work after they’ve completed a forklift training course. These schools have connections with job agencies to place certified students into employment. Find one that offers such job placement assistance, this is of course to your advantage, you won’t have a hard time finding a job.
  
  
• Forklift driving schools such as private companies can deliver online certification. Online training is not a recommended way, if you ask us, because of its obvious disadvantage (practical training is not possible), but still many are opting to go through this approach. If you are busy and can’t find an available time, you can opt to choose online certification.

Criteria You Should Follow When Taking Paid Forklift Training Classes

To get your money’s worth, here are some of the criteria you should follow when choosing a forklift training school to attend the class.

• Find a class with a small number of students – an overcrowded class tends to be noisy and frustrating for both students and instructor. Having a fewer number of people in the room means that each one gets the attention of the instructor. Enroll in a small class to get the focus and attention so that you won’t get left behind.
  
  
• Find a school with a modern training facility and equipment – we all know that there is a great importance of school facility in improving the teaching method. The teaching environment and equipment used are essential to provide the best quality education possible to students. Find a school with a modern training facility and forklift equipment; now, to ensure that you enroll in the right school that has such, visit their campus, and observe the premises. Ask permission first, if you want to pay a visit.
  
  
• You may be targeting a forklift job you’ve seen in an advertisement. Read through the job requirements, list down what you’ve seen, and ask the school if they can provide you with that. A school with good credentials will supply you with everything you need to know.
  
  
• Find a training school that helps students in terms of career guidance and job placement - the school should not only provide the students with the technical knowledge of forklift operation but also prepare the students for employment. In some cases, they will also place the student for a job. 
  
  
• Find a forklift certification training school near your location - so that you won't be having a hard time going to the school and avoid a long commute. 
  
  
• The training facilities are not always located in the area where you live. Finding a local qualified facility near you can be a challenge. Many factors contribute to the cost of training. The type of course, duration, and location will all affect the price. The best way to find out if a training facility is right for you is to contact them and ask about their courses, what they offer, and how much it costs.

Different Types of Forklift Certifications to Choose From

When it comes to forklift certifications, there are a few different types that you can choose from. There are two basic types of forklift certifications:

• Forklift Operator Certification - This certification is the most common type of certification and is given to an individual who intends to operate a forklift truck. The operator must be at least 18 years old to apply for this certification and be physically fit.
  
  
• Forklift Instructor Certification - This certification is given to those who want to be an in-house trainer of the company. Completion of this course enables you to deliver the training and certify workers in the workplace.

Where Can You Take Free Forklift Training & Get a License Near You?

Where else, in a community college near you?

One of the reasons why you should consider going to one is that community colleges commonly conduct free forklift training for residents.
If you want to know if there are training schedules, just visit their website or their campus. A representative will assist you.

When you inquire, ask what are the requirements and if you can register as early as possible; do so, as there are only a limited number of students they accept.

If the campus is far from you, the community college normally has satellite offices located throughout the community, find an office near you and inquire there about the requirements of the forklift training.

If you want to get free forklift training, just connect to the internet and there you can find a wealth of easily accessible websites that teach forklift safety training, just like this one.

However, I would not recommend this as this will only teach you the classroom part of the course. To become certified, you need to take both classroom and practical training and be assessed by a competent trainer which is usually done in person.

Community College vs. Trade School: Which Want Would You Choose

Before you even consider enrolling in a training class, have you wondered where is best to take the training, will it be in a trade school or in a community college? Knowing the difference between these two will help you know what you are getting yourself into.

• They differ in the programs they offer. The community colleges have a wide choice of programs not only in the field of forklift operation but in many aspects as well. If you would like to take a forklift operator training and you decide to extend your education, you can opt to take the heavy equipment operation program which is a more comprehensive program offered by a community college.
  
  
• The trade school has a continuous enrollment in forklift operation program where you can enroll anytime you want, however, in community college, they offer such a program periodically.
  
  
• They give more focus on practical training than on theory which means you’ll spend much of your time in hands-on operation but this doesn’t mean classroom lectures are less important. You both need classroom and practical training to get trained. While trade school focuses on a specific skill. If you strive to be a trained forklift operator, attending a trade school will give you the specialized skills you need for the job.
  
  
• Trade school has employer connections. They do maintain a relationship with employers so that when these employers require manpower, they can easily source from the trade school. This will make it easy for you to find a job, and the trade school, where you took your training, can refer you to an employer for possible employment.

Gaining the required education, there is not a single size that fits everybody. It is still up to you where you want to get trained.

You Can Also Take the Class Through an Online Training Provider

I strongly encourage you not to take the forklift training through an online course as this will only tackle classroom training. This will not officially certify you even if they say you can print or download your license or certificate at the end of the course. Don’t fall to the promises of the training provider that offers such a course.

Just like the reason I mentioned above, to be a certified forklift operator, you need to take the classroom instructions, practical training, and performance assessment. This can only be done if you enroll in a course offered by a community college, vocational school, or trade center near you.

But if you still want to do the online training course, here are the advantages:

Taking forklift training online is a great option if you're busy or if there's no good training school near you. Here's the lowdown on online forklift training:

• Learn from Anywhere: The best thing about online training is you can do it from wherever you are – at home, at a coffee shop, you name it. All you need is a computer or tablet and the internet. It's like watching your favorite show but you're learning how to drive a forklift.
  
  
• Flexible Schedule: With online training, you can learn at your own pace, on your own time. If you're a night owl and learn best at midnight, go for it. It fits your life, not the other way around.
  
  
• What You'll Learn:  Just like in-person classes, online training covers everything you need to know about forklifts – from safety rules and how to operate them, to all the legal stuff you need to know. It's a full course, just delivered on your screen.
  
  
• Hands-on Experience:  While online courses teach you the theory, you'll still need to find a way to practice driving. Some online courses might have partnerships with local places for this part, or you might have to arrange it yourself.
  
  
• Getting Certified: After you finish the online course, you'll still need to take a practical test to get certified. The online course should prepare you for this test, but remember, you gotta prove you can handle a forklift for real.

For online courses, see this training provider we highly recommend.

Driving School Will Teach You Everything You Need to Know

The forklift driving school will help you on your path to pass the certification test. Training includes classroom discussion and practical hands-on training. Both of these are crucial portions of the training in order for the trainees to acquire the knowledge to be compliant with the law and to get certified to drive forklifts.

In other countries such as Australia, forklift driving schools are commonly referred to as registered training organizations (RTO). The RTO serves as a provider of vocational education and training to students who want to take nationally recognized training. RTO could be a privately owned company or a government-run institution. 

In the UK, before a driving school can operate a business, it should first be accredited by one of the accrediting bodies: Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB), Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Lantra National Training Organisation Ltd. (LANTRA), Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register (ITSSAR), Association of Industrial Truck Trainers (AITT) and National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS).

As previously mentioned, employers can receive training onsite for their workers. Having the forklift training conducted in the actual workplace, it makes it more flexible to alter the training curriculum to correspond with the prevailing conditions of the workplace.

How to Choose a Forklift Training School

When looking for a good place to learn how to drive a forklift, you want to make sure you pick the right school. Here's how to spot a good one:

• Check if They're Legit: You want a school that's got the official thumbs up, meaning they're recognized by the right authorities. This is like making sure your driver's license is real and not something made up.
  
  
• See What They Teach: Look at what they're going to teach you. A good school will cover everything from the start to the finish – not just how to drive, but also how to do it safely, how to look after your forklift and all the rules you need to follow.
  
  
• Who's Teaching You?: Find out about the teachers. You want folks who know what they're talking about because they've been there and done that. Think of it like learning to cook from someone who's a whiz in the kitchen.
  
  
• Where Is It?: Think about where the school is. If it's too far away, getting there might be a hassle. It's like choosing a gym – if it's close by, you're more likely to go.
  
  
• When Are Classes?:  Look at the schedule. You need classes that fit around your life. If you're working during the day, maybe you need night classes. It's like scheduling a movie night when you know you don't have to work the next day.
  
  
• How Long Until You're Ready?:  Find out how long the program takes. Some schools might get you through faster, but make sure they're not cutting corners. It's like learning to swim – you don't want to jump in the deep end before you're ready.

Picking the right forklift driving school is all about doing a bit of homework first. You want to make sure you're learning everything you need to be safe and good at your job, from people who know their stuff, at a place and time that works for you.

What to Expect from Forklift Training Classes

When you sign up for forklift training classes, you'll learn a bunch of important stuff to help you drive a forklift safely and efficiently. Here's what's in store for you:

• Classroom Learning: First off, there'll be some classroom time where you'll learn the basics. This means understanding how forklifts work, the rules for driving them, and how to keep them safe while operating them. It's like learning the rules of the road but for forklifts.

• Getting Your Hands Dirty: After you've got the basics down, you'll move on to the fun part – driving a forklift. This hands-on training is where you'll learn how to handle the truck. You'll practice lifting, moving stuff around, and all the maneuvers you need to know to work in a real job.

• Safety First: Safety is a big deal when it comes to forklifts. Your classes will spend a lot of time teaching you how to avoid accidents and what to do in case of emergencies. Think of it as learning how to be a superhero who keeps everyone safe.

• The Big Test: At the end of your training, there's a test you need to pass to get your certification. This test will check everything you've learned, from the book stuff to your driving skills. It's like the final boss in a video game – beat it, and you earn your forklift driving badge.

So, in short, forklift training classes will teach you all you need to know to drive a forklift, keep safe, and get certified. It's a mix of classroom lessons and real driving practice, all geared toward making you a pro forklift operator.

Conclusion

In short, if you're looking to learn how to drive a forklift and get certified, there are plenty of places that can help you out. The best bet is to look for a trade school or a local college nearby that offers forklift driving classes. They'll teach you everything you need to know and help you get your certification quickly. So, start searching for a forklift driving school near you and take the first step toward your new skill!

Once you find the right school, you can sign up for a class that fits your schedule. These classes will cover all the basics of forklift operation, from safety rules to how to handle the machinery properly. Plus, you'll get hands-on practice that's crucial for learning.

After finishing the course, you'll be ready to take the certification test. Passing this test means you're officially a certified forklift operator, opening up new job opportunities for you.

So, don't wait any longer, find a forklift certification class near you and get started on your path to becoming a skilled forklift driver!