Forklift Certification in Montana

The state of Montana focuses on OSHA legislation 29CFR1910.178 for forklift operator certification. It states that all operators must be properly certified before driving heavy equipment such as forklifts, and it is the responsibility of the businesses or employers to provide it.

In Montana, the aging workforce is growing. A couple of years back, US DOL positioned workers in this state 7th as the oldest in the US.

When you want to chase a job in this state as a forklift driver, you need to get a license to legally operate forklifts. Here we’ve supplied the information you need to easily apply for your certification.

Applying for Forklift Certification

You can contact one of the training schools or centers in your area for you to enroll in the training course. We’ve provided here those schools, which you can see below.

In learning how to operate a forklift safely, the trainee will have to go through classroom discussions. Where he will learn OSHA rules, basic forklift controls, culture about safety, basic safety procedures, hazard identification prior to performing work, making a simple work plan, accident awareness video presentation, and many other subjects to bring you the necessary knowledge and awareness.

To experience firsthand operating the machine, hands-on driving is mandatory. At this stage, the trainer will assess your practice drill and oversee your performance. The trainer makes necessary comments if something is not right or appraises when you do the task right. The practice drills include basic maneuvering, loading, and unloading, transferring loads from one place to another, delivering materials at height, pallet positioning, determining an efficient plan of work prior to working, basic troubleshooting, proper parking.

The trainee will have to take and pass the written test to be provided by the trainer. The trainee shall answer the questions correctly and make a passing rate of 70%. The trainer then will compose an evaluation of how the trainee performed during hands-on training.

Upon completion, the successful trainee will receive his certificate and wallet-size license card that will be mailed to the trainee’s resident. The license will expire after three years.

Note: The training you must apply should be specific to the type of forklift truck you’ll be driving.

READ these guides to help you:

• Passing the Forklift Practical Test
• Passing the Forklift Written Exam
• Can You Retake the Forklift Test If You Failed?
• Forklift Training Duration - How Long Does It Take?
• Is Online Forklift Training the Right For You?
• Can You Use Your Forklift Certificate to Work for Another Employer?
• Is Your Forklift License Valid If You Want to Work in Other State?
• Can You Get a Forklift Job If You Have DUI on Your Record?

Forklift Training Schools in Montana

• H&E Equipment Services - 343 Floss Flats Rd, Belgrade, MT 59714, Toll-Free: 866-GO-RENTAL, Local: 406-388-2308
• F-M Forklift Sales & Service Inc. - 5840 Interstate Avenue, Billings, MT 59101, (406) 254-6900
• Anderson Forklift, Inc. - (800) 776-4297, (800) 250-2365, 475 Moore Ln, Billings, MT 59101
• IVES Training Group - provides training in employer location or at their training facility,covers many states, call 1-800-643-1144
• United Rentals, Inc. - 2340 N Frontage RD, Billings, MT 59101-7305, 406-245-8710, Fax: 406-237-1967
• MOMS Rental Equipment & Sales - 209 Trade St., Missoula, MT 59808, Phone: (406) 728-2339
• Montana Safety Services Council - 3435 Mountain Pass Road, Billings, Montana 59102, 406.248.4893, 406.248.6228 (fax)
• Montana Building Industry Association - 1717 11th Ave, Helena, MT 59601 406-442-4479
• Norlift Inc,-410,ExpresswayMissoula, MT,59808, (406) 541-8903
• Montana Safety Training - 701-862-2132 or (651)210-7717, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Montana State University - P.O. Box 172220, Bozeman, MT 59717-2220, Tel: (406) 994-4571, Fax: (406) 994-4102
• University of Montana - 32 Campus Dr., Missoula, MT 59812, Phone:+1,406-243-0211

The training school can deliver the training at your employer’s location by sending a trainer. This is ideal because the trainer can identify the types of equipment being used and the behavior of the forklift operators so that he can formulate a training program that will cater to meet the present needs.

The employers can also send their personnel to the training school where they opted to have the training. The drawback of this is it can affect business production.

You must choose the right school where you can take the training from. You can READ this article about selecting the best training school:

• Choosing Forklift Training School That Suits Your Needs

Forklift Training Requirements

• The trainee must have a valid Montana driver’s license or valid ID that can show proof of his identity.
• You must be at least at the legal age of 18 years old. You cannot be accepted either at the training or at the actual job when you’re not at the right age.
• Good background check
• No history of substance abuse or drug dependency
• Must wear personal protective equipment (hard hat, vest, pants, safety shoes, etc.)

For further reading, browse this topic:

• Detailed Requirements You Must Have Before Taking the Forklift Training
• Will the Company Train the Operators at Their Own Expense?
• When to Take Forklift Refresher Course?
• Fines and Penalties When You Drive the Forklift Untrained?

Salary of Certified Forklift Operator

In Montana, a warehouse forklift operator can receive an average yearly salary of $36,903 on average. It is a good potential if you can operate several types of forklifts so you can get a pay increase and promotion.

The more competent and seasoned operator can be assigned as a designated trainer of the company and it can open up opportunities for employment promotion.

In the latest Salary.Com's February 27, 2023 salary report, here are the cities and towns of Montana that give high wage for forklift drivers:

Want to see how much does operator make by city and state? CHECK THIS OUT.

Governing Authorities:

Learn more about legislation, rules, wage and benefits standards from these governing offices:

OSHA Montana
2900 4th Avenue North, Suite 303
Billings, Montana 59101
(406) 247-7494

Montana Department of Labor and Industry
1805 Prospect Ave, Helena, MT 59601, United States
+1 406-444-7734
http://dli.mt.gov

Cities of MT

Billings, Missoula, Great,Falls, Bozeman, Butte-Silver,Bow, Helena, Kalispell, Havre, Anaconda-Deer,Lodge County, Miles, Belgrade, Livingston, Laurel, Whitefish, Lewis, Sidney,Glendive, Columbia,Falls, Polson, Hamilton, Dillon, Hardin, Shelby, Glasgow, Deer,Lodge, Cut,Bank, Libby, Wolf,Point, Conrad, Colstrip, Red,Lodge, Malta, East,Helena, Columbus, send, Ronan, Three,Forks, Stevensville, Roundup, Forsyth, Baker, Plentywood, Choteau, Big,Timber, Manhattan, Fort,Benton, Thompson,Falls, West,Yellowstone, Chinook, Boulder, Plains, Whitehall, Eureka, Scobey, Browning, Harlowton, White,Sulphur,Springs, Troy, Pinesdale, Chester, St.,Ignatius, Fairview, Ennis, Philipsburg, Superior, Poplar, Harlem, Darby, Culbertson, Bridger, Fairfield, Cascade, Walkerville, Sheridan, Circle, Terry, Big,Sandy, Belt, Joliet, Wibaux, Hot,Springs, Valier, Broadus, Fromberg, Lodge,Grass, Alberton, Stanford, Sunburst, Twin,Bridges, Jordan, Ekalaka,