Do You Need a License to Drive a Forklift?
Short answer: OSHA does not issue a government “forklift license” like a driver’s license. Instead, employers must ensure that powered industrial truck operators are properly trained and evaluated, and the employer must certify that each operator has completed the required training and evaluation.
What OSHA Requires for Forklift Operators
Under OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.178(l), employers must ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate the equipment safely. Training must include formal instruction, practical training and an evaluation of the operator’s performance.
Read OSHA’s powered industrial truck standard.
Is a Forklift Card the Same as a Driver’s License?
No. A forklift training card or certificate is documentation of training and evaluation; it is not a state motor-vehicle driver’s license. OSHA places responsibility on the employer to make sure the operator has been trained, evaluated and found competent for the equipment and workplace conditions involved.
Can a Third-Party Training School Provide Forklift Training?
Yes. OSHA guidance allows qualified third-party trainers to provide training and evaluation. Employers still remain responsible for ensuring that each operator meets the OSHA requirements and is competent to operate safely in the actual workplace.
How Often Does a Forklift Operator Need to Be Evaluated?
OSHA requires an evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator’s performance at least once every three years. Refresher training may also be required after unsafe operation, an accident or near miss, an evaluation showing unsafe operation, assignment to a different type of truck, or a workplace change that affects safe operation.
Forklift Training in Queens, NYC
Tribune Training Academy offers forklift / lift-truck operator safety training from our Queens, New York City location at 40-38 75th Street, Elmhurst, NY 11373. Our program combines training with an in-person operator evaluation component.
View Forklift Training NYC or call (718) 790-2664.
Do I Need Forklift Training Before I Apply for a Job?
Employers may have different hiring requirements. Completing training can help you understand safe-operation principles, but an employer must still ensure that your training and evaluation satisfy OSHA requirements for the equipment and conditions at that workplace.