On all fork lift truck operator training courses it is mandatory to take a written test. Up until 2000 this was a multiple choice question paper but it was modified to coincide with the new practical test that was introduced at the time.

Nowadays, operators are set a 25 question paper consisting of five "open" questions where the candidate has to write the answers down and a further twenty questions which are still multiple choice. These in turn consist of ten questions relating to truck operation and ten related to safety.

If a person has trouble reading or writing or if English is not their first language, the test may be given orally by the instructor.

A couple of sample questions are listed below.

Example of an "open" question..........

List four areas where it would not be recommended to park a fork lift truck?

Example of a multiple choice question..............

A truck is rated at 2000 kg at a load centre of 500 mm. This means:

A. That it can safely lift 2200 kg if the load centre is reduced?

B. That it can safely lift 2200 kg if the load centre is increased?

C. that it can not safely lift 2200 kg.?

There is, in fact, a pool of questions available form which instructors are expected to select the 25 they wish to use. This means that a candidate may not get the same questions as his colleague on the same course. The pass mark for this test is 80%.