How Long Does a Forklift Licence Last

There is no such thing as a fork lift truck driver’s licence!

There is no central forklift licensing authority.

Every employer has a responsibility, under Regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98), to ensure that employees have adequate training before they use work equipment. The training required in order to operate most fork lift trucks is explained in the special Code of Practice detailed below.

The operator should receive training on each type of equipment he or she may be required to operate. Such training may be provided by an in-house instructor or an external trainer. The training provider should then issue a certificate, or other document, giving details of the results of that training. This document is not a licence.

The employer is required to give written authority for any employee to actually operate the equipment. If an individual document is issued this is the closest document to a licence, but it is not a licence. The employer alone will determine how long this authority remains valid but it is good practice to ensure that the performance of all operators is formally monitored.