If you are looking for a new occupation or just want to advance your career as a forklift driver, you might be wondering which forklift license category in the UK you can apply for.
If you want to work with forklifts or get better at your forklift job, knowing about different forklift licenses is really important. These licenses cover all sorts of forklifts and the skills you need to use them safely and well.
Whether you're just starting or looking to learn more, figuring out which license you need for the kind of forklift you want to drive is key. Also, since the law says your boss has to make sure you're allowed to drive a forklift at work, having the right license isn't just about getting better at your job—it's a must.
If you want to know more about the different categories you can apply for, read this guide to learn more...
Categories of Forklift Trucks
Industrial Counterbalance – This is the most common category of trucks being utilized in many workplaces. Counterbalance trucks could be gas or diesel-powered, it could also be electric. Depending on where you want to operate it, would it be indoors and inside the warehouse or outdoors in yards or ports, counterbalance can do the job effectively and conveniently.
Rider-Operated Fork Truck – They are electric-powered and primarily used indoors. It is versatile in many uses, with the ability to be driven in the narrow aisle, the rider truck gets the job done.
Side Loader - This truck is either electric-powered or has an internal combustion engine in it that runs on gas or diesel or even gas. The use of a side loader is to simply handle long materials such as timbers and cylinder tubes in narrow aisles which the counterbalance forklift may have difficulty handling.
Narrow Aisle and Order Picker - electric narrow aisle single or double reach truck, electric order picker, and electric dock up stacker are the examples of this type of truck. They are commonly found indoors and operated on smooth floor surfaces. They are primarily used in retrieving and picking pallets. With order picker, the operator rides the platform to elevate himself to the desired height, this is a more efficient method of retrieval because you do not need to retrieve the needed materials along with the pallet.
Rough Terrain Forklift – With its big tires, you will know that it is primarily utilized outdoors as the name implies. It is used in muddy or uneven road surfaces, hence its name. It is used to carry loads to places where a typical pneumatic tire cannot. With its big tires, it can easily traverse rough surfaces, in waist-deep water with ease.
Telescopic Handler Truck – it looks more like a crane than a forklift because of its protruding boom, hence its name telescopic. It is commonly found in agriculture and construction sites.
Multidirectional Fork Truck – It is used to carry large and bulky materials such as lumbers, pipes, and metal sheets, in open spaces. Transporting loads is more secure. It replaced the counterbalance truck in terms of safety and reliability. It is used indoors in tight spaces where counterbalance cannot operate. The operator has maximum control over the load because of its state-of-the-art controls.
Container Handler Forklift – found in shipping ports, container handlers use to move and remove containers in ports, with a hydraulic spreader and telescopic mast, it can easily get the job of moving containers done.
Skills Categories to Choose
Determine your skills first before deciding what type of training you get. In the UK, there four forklift training skill categories, here they are:
- Novice Training
This training is given to those students who have no prior knowledge of operating forktrucks. Since this is proposed for inexperienced individuals, the training duration is lengthier compared to other types of training. Students will be sitting inside the classroom longer and the practice skills demonstration will be thorough. This is to ensure students will grasp enough skills to become comfortable and relaxed driving a forklift.
The common course duration for this training category ranges from four to five days. The usual price for this training category ranges from £400-£600. Some fees may or may not be included like learning materials and the cost of printing certificates/licences. - Conversion Training
This typical training category takes only a day or two to complete, again depending on the number of trainees taking part in the course. As the name implies, this training is for students who want to advance their ability to drive other types of fork trucks they are not accustomed to operating. As mentioned above, trucks vary in terms of use and purpose, features and operational controls, with that being said, the training course should be specific and precise to the type of truck the trainee is intending to operate.
The typical training cost for this category varies from £150 and £300. We strongly encourage operatives to advance their knowledge in driving different forklifts. It is their stepping stone to grab that elusive job promotion. It is their leverage to negotiate with prospective employers to get higher wages. It is an effective way to step up the career ladder. You won’t regret completing a conversion course, it will be useful for you right now and in the future. - Semi-Experienced Operator Training
If you’ve learned to drive a forklift in your backyard or somewhere else and you don’t have formal training, then this category is intended for you. It is aimed at providing sufficient knowledge for experienced individuals in areas of safety.
This training category is also for people who had their training years ago with their licenses expiring or already expired.
Students will expand their knowledge about currently implemented HSE regulations and optimal workplace safety practices. The students will regain their confidence operating the truck and refresh their aptitude in the safe use of the equipment.
The usual training price for this category is between £250-£350. Training schools may charge higher compared to others, this is because their semi-experienced operator training is more comprehensive and in-depth and the ratio of student to trainer is lesser to ensure student skillfulness. - Refresher Training Course
Have you had your training before but lost many of the knowledge and abilities you once had? This refresher course is the one you need to become up to date on the present HSE legislations, safety procedures and operational standards.
In a company that has the best regard for safety, a refresher course is a typical course given to all workers operating heavy equipment, not only forklifts but also cranes, loaders, dozers and other pieces of equipment that are being utilized in the work site. Refresher courses should be given at least every three years, but the more frequent it is, the better the workers perform. It is ideal more ideal to have them go through several refresher courses during that period.
Some instances that refresher courses should be supplied are when the operator was observed driving the truck in an unsafe manner, workers were involved in an accident, and other instances that the employer may think necessary.
In the UK, There Are 5 Forklift Training Accrediting Bodies
- Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB) – It is a widely known accrediting body across the UK. In the year 2006, they initiated collecting information of trained forklift operators and put it centralized location, which is now known as the National Operators Registration Scheme (NORS). This location helps employers check fraudulent certificates. You can visit the RTITB website here. You can contact them at +44(0)1952 520200, they’re located at Halesfield 17, Telford, Shropshire.
- Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register (ITSSAR) – This training company started business in the early year of the 1980s. They offer an accreditation scheme the same as RTITB from basic operator training to safety trainer training. Their address is at 4 Milbanke Ct, Bracknell RG12 1RP, UK, Contact them at +44 1344 426230. Visit website.
- Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) – They offer various health and safety training and courses. They primarily cater service for construction companies to improve workers’ performance. They only provide small areas in forklift training, specifically limited to rough terrain forklifts. You can call them at 0344 994 4488. Their address is at Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Visit website.
- Lantra National Training Organisation Ltd. (LANTRA) – they cover very limited training, they only provide an accrediting scheme for rough terrain forklifts. They are located at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, you can contact them at 024 7669 6996. Visit the website here.
- National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) – started business in the year 1992. Just like RTITB, this body is well known in the UK. They provide a wide range of training covering different types of trucks and providing services in construction, logistics, warehousing and agricultural industries. Their address is at Northwich, Cheshire, you can make an enquiry at 01606 49909. Visit the website here.
Obtaining a Forklift License in the UK
- Determine your eligibility: To be eligible for a forklift license in the UK, you must be at least 18 years of age and in good physical health.
- Choose a training provider: There are several options for obtaining forklift training in the UK, including accredited training organizations and construction equipment manufacturers. Choose a reputable training provider that offers the type of forklift license you need.
- Complete the training course: The training course will typically include both theoretical and practical components, and it will cover topics such as the safe operation of the forklift, load handling techniques, and hazard identification and avoidance.
- Pass the assessment: After completing the training course, you will need to take a practical and theoretical assessment to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
- Receive your license: Upon passing the assessment, you will receive your forklift license, which will typically be valid for 3-5 years.
Eligibility Criteria for Obtaining a Forklift License in the UK:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible for a forklift license in the UK.
- Physical health: You must be in good physical health and able to perform the physical demands of operating a forklift.
- Language proficiency: You must have a basic understanding of English, as the training and assessment will be conducted in English.
- Criminal record: You must not have any convictions or pending charges related to operating a forklift or any other type of vehicle.
- Vision: You must have good vision, including peripheral vision, and be able to distinguish between colors.
- Hearing: You must have good hearing and be able to hear warning signals and alarms.
Training and Assessment
When you're getting trained to drive different kinds of forklifts in the UK, each type of forklift has its own kind of training. Here's a simple look at what's usually involved and why actually doing stuff with the forklift, not just talking about it, is a big deal.
What Training Usually Involves
For each forklift type, there's a specific training course. Think of it like learning to drive different cars—one might be a small hatchback (like a pallet truck), and another could be a big SUV (like a telescopic handler). For each one, you need to know the controls, how to drive safely, and how to lift and move stuff without causing a mess or hurting anyone.
Training usually starts in a classroom where you learn the rules and get the lowdown on safety. Then you get to the fun part—actually driving the forklift. You'll practice moving around, picking up loads, and doing the kinds of things you'd do on a normal day at work.
Why Practical Assessments Matter
After the training, you've got to show you can do what you've learned. This is where practical assessments come in. It's not enough to just talk the talk; you have to walk the walk—or in this case, drive the drive.
During an assessment, you'll be asked to do tasks with the forklift, like lifting and moving loads, navigating through tight spaces, and maybe even some tricky maneuvers. This shows you're not just safe to be around but also efficient and skilled at using the forklift.
These assessments are important because they prove you can handle a forklift in real-life situations, not just in theory. It's all about making sure you're ready to work safely and smartly, keeping you and everyone else around you safe.
So, the training and the doing part of learning to drive a forklift are both key. You learn the rules and how to be safe, then you show you've got what it takes by actually driving the forklift right. That's how you get certified and ready to roll.
Importance of Regular Training and Renewal of License
Keeping your forklift license fresh in the UK is pretty straightforward but super important. Here's the lowdown on when and how to renew it, and why staying sharp and up-to-date matters.
When and How to Renew Your Forklift Licence
First off, you'll need to keep an eye on the expiry date of your forklift license. Generally, you should think about renewing it before it hits the 3-year mark since that's how long it lasts. Don't wait until the last minute, or you might find yourself stuck without a valid license.
Renewing it is not a huge hassle. You'll likely need to go through some refresher training to make sure you're still up to snuff. This could be a quick course where you'll brush up on safety practices, and operating procedures, and maybe learn about any new regulations that have come into play since you last certified.
After the training, there might be a test to prove you've still got the skills. Pass that, and you'll get your shiny new license, good for another few years.
Why Keeping Up-to-Date Matters
You might wonder why you need to go through all this. Well, it's not just about ticking a box. Operating a forklift is serious business. It's not like driving a car; these machines can be dangerous if not handled properly. Refreshing your skills regularly means you're less likely to get into accidents. It keeps you, your coworkers, and the workplace safe.
Plus, the world of forklift operation doesn't stand still. New safety guidelines, technologies, and best practices come out all the time. Staying current means you're always working as efficiently and safely as possible. It also shows your boss and anyone else paying attention that you take your job seriously and are committed to being the best forklift operator you can be.
Conclusion
Knowing about the different forklift licenses you can get in the UK is super important if you're looking to work with forklifts or move up in your forklift job. It's all about making sure you're doing things by the book because the rules say you need the right license for the kind of forklift you're going to drive.
Plus, it's about staying safe; driving a forklift without knowing what you're doing can be really dangerous. Having the right license also means you can go for more jobs or get better at your current one, since some jobs need you to drive different kinds of forklifts.
When you learn for different licenses, you pick up new skills that make you better at your job and more useful to your boss. So, getting to know what licenses are out there and which ones you can go for is a big deal if you want to work safely, stay within the law, and get ahead in your forklift career.