The Steps For Receiving Your Forklift License

If you’ll be working on a factory floor or anywhere that requires the use of a forklift, this blog will cover the steps for getting your forklift license.

Getting your forklift license or certification is essential for operating this piece of machinery. Attempting to operate a forklift without a license to do so can compromise your safety and result in the injury of those around you. To prevent injuries or legal action, it’s crucial to be licensed.

• Determine which type of forklift/s you’ll operate
• Attend certified training sessions
• Attend hands-on training courses
• Pass your theory exam
• Pass your practical exam

I’ll elaborate further on the steps mentioned above and give you the details on what it takes to receive your forklift certification. Keep reading to learn the steps needed to get a forklift license!

Getting your forklift license can sometimes be a daunting task, as it takes a thorough understanding of the theory and practicality of operating this vehicle. Although getting forklift certified can take some time, it’ll be as simple as riding a bike once you get the hang of it.

All of Acclaims course are up to RTITB standard and our courses can be delivered either National or In House. Please see RTITB website for information: https://www.rtitb.com/services/mhe-accreditation

Since there are various types of forklifts available, you’ll need to determine which variety you’ll be operating. You’ll need to receive training that is relevant to the kind of forklift you’ll operate, otherwise, you’ll have a license that isn’t related to the type of vehicle your workplace requires you to operate.

Ensure you confirm the type of forklift you’ll operate so that you can take the necessary courses. If you’ll be operating several varieties of forklifts, you’ll have to receive training and certification for each of them.

Before you start doing practical work, you’ll first need to attend formal instruction. Formal instruction consists of theory work, involving written material, videos, lectures, etc. Here are some of the topics you can expect to learn during formal instruction:

• Safety precautions for operating a forklift
• How to work with loads (stacking, transporting, unstacking, etc.)
• How the different forks are used
• How to drive on different surfaces, such as slopes
• Forklift maintenance

The points mentioned above are only a few of the topics you’ll learn about during your theory training. Going through the formal instruction will make your hands-on training far less challenging, as you’ll understand the basics.

The next step involves getting to the fun part! This is when you’ll practice what you learnt during your formal instruction and apply the knowledge while on a forklift. Your hands-on training will involve anything from maneuvering the forklift in tight areas to doing inspections.

Your hands-on training is what will give you confidence in your forklift-operating abilities, and it’ll be less nerve-wracking to operate this vehicle once you’ve been exposed to it.

Once you’ve completed your formal instruction course, you’ll need to complete an exam that tests your knowledge of what you learnt during your theory course. The exam consists of both open questions and multiple-choice questions. It takes a score of 80% to pass, so it’s essential to be well-prepared for your exam.

The same awareness you would adopt in a vehicle on the road is the same awareness needed for operating a forklift in any facility. Being vigilant of your environment while using a forklift is critical for maintaining the welfare of yourself and anyone else on the operating site. Be sure to follow your site’s forklift safety regulations and only operate in the designated areas.

Knowing the different types of forklifts around serves as a guideline for the type of training you’ll receive. Knowing what kind of forklift you’ll operate is also great, as you can do your research on how that forklift works before formal instruction and training.

You can read up on the different types of trucks available to train on via the our website: https://acclaimhandling.co.uk

After learning how to get your forklift license, you may wonder what you’ll learn besides driving the forklift. Since safety is the number one priority, the training will highly revolve around safe and proper operations, but there are far more.
Here are some things you’ll learn during forklift training:

• Driving on various surfaces. There will be times when you’ll possibly drive on slopes and rough terrain. So a portion of your training includes teaching you how to drive on surfaces that aren’t flat and smooth.
• Safely loading and unloading. Loading a forklift isn’t only about getting everything you need onto the forks. A forklift that isn’t loaded properly can be incredibly dangerous, as an unequal distribution of weight can cause the vehicle to tilt. So, you’ll be taught the best practices for loading a forklift.
• Navigating traffic. Learning to navigate a floor where there are several other workers is essential in your forklift training. You’ll need to learn the rules and regulations regarding the distance between you and other pedestrians.
• Carrying out inspections. Doing inspections on a forklift before and after use is pivotal. You might not know of certain things that could be wrong with the forklift or parts that have to be replaced if you don’t inspect it.
• Driving in narrow spaces. Learning how to safely maneuver in areas that aren’t spacious is another thing you’ll learn. There will likely be times when you have to work your way through tight spaces. So you’ll have to learn how to navigate spaces that aren’t the most convenient in the safest way possible.

Receiving your forklift license can be a taxing task as it involves several learning curves and rigorous training to obtain your certification. Although it can be a stressful process, having your license ensures the safety of you and everyone else in the workplace!