What Qualifications do you need to become a Forklift Truck Driver-UK?

To become a Forklift Truck Driver, you do not need to have any formal academic qualifications. However some basic numerical skills can be useful, especially for working out the weight of the load, capacity of the truck and the distance you will be travelling.

Furthermore, you will need to take a 3–5 day Forklift Training Course. This teaches you the basics of how to control the truck safely.  You will learn some theory and have a practical exam at the end but once you have completed this, your certificate will be valid for 3 years. From then on you will only need a one day top up every 3 years-sounds simple, right?

Do I need a driving licence?

You do not need a driving licence to be able to operate a Forklift Truck unless you are planning on operating it on a public road.  For more information on this, check out our Forklifts On Public Road blog.

Skills that are useful?

Teamwork:  Working well within a team is essential as there will often be a number of people on site potentially working in your area. It is important to work with them to get your job done as safely and as effectively as possible.

Concentration/Awareness: Teamwork leads into concentration and awareness.  Not only will you be making sure that you are safe but you also need to be aware of the people around you. Your Job is to keep them safe so it is paramount that you follow the guidelines stipulated in your training. You must be aware of your surroundings as they will be rapidly changing throughout the day.  If you follow the rules and don’t cut corners, you will be the best driver out there!

Adaptability:  Once you have your Forklift Truck licence, you are able to transfer your skills to various other types of machinery within the workplace and will only need to do a 1-2 day conversion course.

This includes mechanical lifting, PPT, scissor lifts and side loading trucks. These can be highly valuable to your employer and may even help with progression within the company. The Health and Safety knowledge also helps you on other courses like Manual handling and First Aid courses etc.

Do I have what it takes to be a Forklift Truck driver?

If you can follow rules, listen and be aware of your surroundings then you will make an exceptional Forklift Truck Driver.  For more information, do not hesitate to contact our training team and we hope to work with you soon!