The Welfaux Beginners Guide: Forklift Licence
Forklift drivers are essential to the operation of businesses that provide warehousing, transportation, and storage. Without them, operations cannot be carried out, productivity plummets, and financial losses mount. In order to maintain general functionality, it is crucial that your company employs forklift drivers who are fully qualified and trained.
However, have you ever thought about whether your forklift drivers need a special forklift licence to prove they are qualified to drive a forklift? If so, you've come to the right place; today, we'll go over everything you need to know about obtaining a forklift licence.
Do You Need a Licence To Drive a Forklift In The UK?
A driving licence is not required to drive a forklift. Technically, there is no such thing as a "forklift licence." But in order to follow safe operating procedures, forklift drivers must complete forklift operator training.
To make sure that you adhere to the most recent legal requirements, it is crucial that you choose a provider that offers thorough training programmes.
Are Foreign Forklift Licences Valid in The UK?
The simple answer is no, despite the fact that many foreign countries require forklift operators to hold a licence. Foreign licences are not recognised in the UK and cannot be directly translated or applied to applications for warehousing and transportation.
What Are The Requirements For a Forklift Licence?
Although there is no legal requirement to drive a forklift at work, there are requirements to carry out forklift training. Forklift drivers must be over 18 and have full movement of body, neck and limbs. For drivers who typically wear glasses or contact lenses to improve their eyesight, they must wear them while operating a forklift, vision should not be impaired in any way. Additionally, you must be able to clearly hear instructions and warning signals.
How Long Is a Forklift Certificate Valid For?
The duration of a forklift certificate's validity is not specified under any laws. An employer can decide that a certificate is valid anywhere between 2-10 years. However, in order to maintain your understanding of forklift operation, it is crucial to do refresher courses. As a general rule, most employers won't accept certificates that are older than 3 years.
Forklift Licence Training
At Welfaux, we provide high-quality, cost-effective, accredited training courses on a variety of trucks and lifting equipment for all levels of experience. All of our educators are registered instructors with extensive experience in a wide range of forklift applications.
Our instructors will be there to guide you throughout the duration of the course, (lasting between 1 & 5 days, depending on the course) and will be responsible for carrying out the practical training. We will provide you with all the relevant information needed for you to pass a written exam at the end of each course, giving you the confidence needed to carry out productive and safe forklift operations. Certificates will be issued after the training has been completed.
Get in touch or visit our website to find out more.
