One of the problems that instructors and training companies come across all the time is the general lack of knowledge in industry relating to fork lift operator training and testing. Over the years, several myths have built up around the subject and this web site seeks to put some of those right.

First let's deal with the fork lift truck operator's licence. There is a lot of confusion about this as, in reality, there is no such thing as a "licence". Everyone refers to it as a licence including employers but in fact it is called a certificate of basic training and is issued to all those who attend a training course and pass the test described on this site. A person does not need a licence to operate a fork lift truck: at least not in the same way as one requires a car licence. You do, however, have to be trained in order to comply with section 2 (c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act and also the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, (PUWER). The proof that a person has attended a basic training course is in the form of a certificate which will be supplied by the training company involved. It is this document that is usually called a licence as its easier to refer to it in that manner.

Some training companies also issue a small plastic covered card - sometimes with a photograph attached - but this is just for the convenience of their customers. These are much less significant in law because they are not worded in the same way as a certificate of basic training. If an operator has one however, s/he should make sure that it is kept as it is proof that training has been carried out and it may be accepted by a new employer, at least to start with! In addition, if an operator works away from his/her main place of employment it can be used to show the new company that the person has been trained. Many companies employing outside contractors will insist on seeing such a document before they will allow a person to operate trucks on their premises.

The A4 sized certificate that one receives should be preserved at all cost as this is the "licence". Note that this is normally issued to companies and it is up to the employer to decide whether or not to give it to the employee. One does not have a legal right to demand it from an employer. It should also noted that if it gets lost it may not be easy to obtain a replacement if at all!

In April 2006 the RTITB started a new scheme which should make replacing certificates much easier. This is known as NORS - (National Operator Registration Scheme). Click here for more details.

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Please note. The legislative information contained on this web site is my interpretation of the law based on many years in the health and safety business. A definitive interpretation can only be given by the courts. I will therefore not be held resposible for any accident/incident/prosecution arising as a consequence of anyone using any information obtained from this web site.