Application of Forklift Certification in Texas

Driving forklifts could be your next occupation. In Texas, your skill is greatly in demand, you can work in construction, storage factories, seaports airports, and warehouses. The demand is continuous and you can expect a long-term career in this field. But before you can get your hands on the forklift, you need to have certification.

Unlike many other states in the US, Texas is stricter in terms of operating forklifts in the workplace. You can be fined and face charges when you get involved in an accident without proper certification.

We have prepared this tutorial to get your forklift license and so you can start driving.

But before that, here are some of the many helpful topics that you can read in order to get your forklift certification:

• How to Become Forklift Certified?
• Where Can You Go to Get a Forklift License?
• 8 Tips to Help You Choose the Best Forklift Training School
• Requirements You Need Before Applying for a Training Course
• How Much is the Forklift License?
• How Long Does the Forklift Training Last?
• How to Renew Your Old Forklift Certification?
• Know More About Online Certification
• When to Take Forklift Refresher Training?
• Fines and Penalties
• What Are Your Primary Job Descriptions?

Forklift Certification Course

1. Evaluate what forklift truck you desire to operate because the forklift training course should be specific to the forklift truck you have chosen.
2. Enroll in the training course. We have made a list of training schools in Texas that offer training courses. Check the list below.
3. OSHA states that classroom lectures must be part of the course. At this, you will be given training supplies, video and PowerPoint presentations as teaching materials.
4. A written exam will be administered in order to evaluate the knowledge you have gained.
5. It is to be followed by the actual driving of the forklift truck. The trainer will oversee your performance. He will ask you to do sorts of tasks, accomplish them, and you can expect to receive your certification.
6. At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate of training and a license card (operator card). These are the evidence that you have taken and completed a training course. Show these when applying for a job or present them to your employer.

Every three years, you need to show proof of competency in driving a forklift truck. You can renew your license at this time.

Forklift Training Schools in Texas

You may find dozens of training providers on the internet. You must be aware that you cannot get your forklift certification by taking the course online. You need to enroll in forklift driving school to acquire proficiency and education. Here are the training schools in the state of Texas:

• Actified Forklift Training - 1200 E Collins Blvd-Richardson, TX 75081, (214) 450-3732
• Lonestar - 16721 Central Commerce Dr., Round Rock, TX 78664, Phone: (512) 990-2494, Fax: (512) 990-5874
• First Class Forklift - 9701 Honeywell Rd, Houston, TX 77074, Phone: (832) 740-4887
• Forklift University - 3914 Warehouse Row, Austin, 512-351-4611
• SAL Safety Solutions - 5400 Pinemont Dr #110, Houston, TX 77092, Office: (832) 364-1839
• LiftMaster - 3915 Seguin Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78219, Phone: 210.299.5171, 210.299.5176
• Dallas Forklift Service Inc. - 11305 Kline dr. Dallas, Texas 75229, 972-243-1875
• Medley Equipment Company - 7231 Brogan, El Paso Texas 79915, Phone: (866) 734-6687, Fax: (915) 598-0829
• Crown Lift Trucks - Dallas/Ft. Worth, 4000 Scientific Drive, Arlington, TX 76014, Fax: 817-375-6550
• Doggett Heavy Machinery Services - 4355 West Cardinal Drive, Beaumont, TX 77705, 409-600-8373
• Laguna Crane Services L.L.C. - 4109 Hwy. 35 Bypass Aransas Pass, TX 78336, (P) 361-217-7521, Fax (F) 361-758-1213
• KMC Forklift Inc - 7941 Wickson Ridge Dr., Bryan, TX 77808, (979) 778-3104
• HF Safety LLC - 2530 Old Louetta Loop #130, Spring, TX 77388, 713-782-0733
• CE-DFW Warehouse Solutions - 900 Port America Place, Grapevine, TX 76051, 877.265.6486
• Lift Truck Supply, Inc. - 3305 Robertson Road, Tyler, TX 75701, T: 800.873.1828, P: 903.533.9600
• Brown’s Training & Compliance Services - 10 Desta Dr # 125W, Midland, TX 79705, Phone: 432-218-6802
• V-Bar Equipment Company - 6298 E Interstate 20, Abilene, TX 79601, Phone: (325) 670-0427
• TTC Safety Inc. - 855 Central Dr #31a, Odessa, TX 79761, Call (432) 553-9659
• Q Safety Consultants - 9504 North Interstate 35, Ste. #307, San Antonio, TX 78233, + 1-800-610-4213
• IFI Industrial Forklift Inc. - 5100 N Cage Blvd, Pharr TX 78577, Phone: (956) 783-7646
• Domac Inc.–Equipment Rental and Repair - Texas City, TX, 409-945-3346
• Frontier Forklifts & Equipment - 3401 S MAIN ST., PEARLAND, 281.482.4500
• Quality Safety Services, Inc. - 5835 Callaghan Rd., suite 105, San Antonio, 210.736.0997
• Deep South Equipment - 5210 Shirley Drive, Tyler, (903) 595-6440
• DARR Equipment Company - 2626 Willowbrook Rd, Dallas, 1.800.964.LIFT
• Omega Safety Training, Inc. - 4654 Hwy 6 N #207, Houston, 281.979.4849
• Miner Material Handling - 22203 Cypress Slough Dr, Houston, 833.670.3737
• West Texas Safety Training Center - 11900 W. I-20 E., Odessa, Phone: 432-563-3067, Toll Free Phone: 888-563-3067
• Malin - 15870 Midway Road, Addison, Texas 75001, (800) 926-2546
• Shoppa's Material Handling - 15217 Grand River Road, Ft. Worth, Toll Free: 866.506.2200

If you are an employer who is seeking training for your workers, here are some useful guidance for you:

• Will the Company train the operator to drive the forklift?
• How to save money training the forklift operators? 
• Purpose and Objective of Forklift Operator Safety Training
• Contents and Topics that must be included in the training

Training Requirements

• You must have a valid driver's license
• You must be 18 years and above
• With basic literacy skills
• High school graduate or with a GED certificate
• No police record and do not have substance abuse

Refresher Courses

Refresher courses can be given in different circumstances:

• If the operator is involved in an accident on the premises.
• The operator has been seen driving the forklift in an unsafe manner.
• If the operator is assigned to drive forklifts other than those trucks he is used to operating.
• Employer mush refresh operator if they change set up in the workplace.

Forklift Operator Salary in Texas

How much does a forklift operator make in this state? As of February 27, 2023, the yearly salary ranges from $35,674 - $45,463. The salary varies from city to city. If you are in Louisiana, the wage is a bit lower.

Here are the cities of this state that offer high salary for forklift operators: 

• Read this Salary Table of forklift operators by cities and states of the United States.

If you can complete a Train-The-Trainer course, you can become an instructor of the company which leads to job promotion and salary raise.

Having a forklift certification can definitely be your advantage for getting stable employment.

Governing Offices

For more guidance on work employment and forklift training regulations, you can refer to these authorities for further assistance:

Texas Workforce Commission
101 E 15th St, Rm 665
Austin, TX
www.twc.state.tx.us
800-252-3642

Occupational Safety & Health Administration - Texas
1100 East Campbell Road
Suite 250
Richardson,
(972) 952-1330

Major Cities of TX

Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano, Laredo, Lubbock, Garland, Irving, Amarillo, Grand Prairie, Brownsville, McKinney, Frisco, Pasadena, Mesquite, Killeen, McAllen, Carrollton, Midland, Waco, Denton, Abilene, Odessa, Beaumont, Round Rock, The Woodlands, Richardson, Pearland, College Station, Wichita Falls, Lewisville, Tyler, San Angelo, League City, Allen, Sugar Land, Edinburg, Mission, Longview, Bryan, Pharr, Baytown, Missouri City, Temple, Flower Mound, New Braunfels, North Richland Hills, Conroe, Victoria, Cedar Park, Harlingen, Atascocita, Mansfield, Georgetown, San Marcos, Rowlett, Pflugerville, Port Arthur, Spring, Euless, DeSoto, Grapevine, Galveston