Forklift/Lift Truck Operator Course
Learn forklift safety at your own pace with Tribune Training Academy. Complete formal instruction, written workplace scenarios and a final knowledge exam. Receive a formal-instruction completion card and an employer training and evaluation packet.
Your employer must arrange equipment-specific practical training and workplace evaluation before you operate independently. Hands-on training is not included in this course.
Know what your course and card include
OSHA requires appropriate formal instruction, practical training and workplace performance evaluation. This course provides formal instruction. Your card records that portion of training; it does not independently authorize forklift operation. Your employer can use the included packet to arrange and document the remaining steps with qualified trainers and evaluators.
What you will learn
Build the knowledge to recognize hazards, make safer decisions and prepare for employer-arranged training on the actual equipment and workplace.
Truck types, controls, manuals, warnings, operating limitations, capacity plates, attachments, load centers and stability.
Pre-use inspections, defects, safe travel, pedestrian protection, load handling, ramps, docks, trailers and restricted areas.
Charging and fuel hazards, workplace conditions, refresher triggers, practical training, performance evaluation and accurate records.
Three steps toward workplace operation
Finish the course lessons and written activities, meet the learning requirements and pass the final knowledge exam with at least 70 percent. Tribune provides your formal-instruction completion record.
Your employer arranges qualified practical training, including trainer demonstrations and your supervised exercises. Training must address the truck, attachments and relevant workplace conditions.
A qualified evaluator observes your performance. Your employer documents the training and evaluation, addresses deficiencies and authorizes operation within the appropriate equipment and workplace limits.
A course card, CEU award or signed blank form does not replace actual practical training and workplace evaluation. OSHA does not require purchasing a particular provider’s course.
Employer documentation included
Give the packet to your employer. It provides a clear sequence and fillable records for the person who actually conducts each part of your training.
Preview the fillable employer packet (PDF) · Student workbook (PDF)
Training and evaluation records
- Equipment and workplace review
- Trainer and evaluator qualification record
- Practical training log
- Workplace performance evaluation
- Corrective training and re-evaluation
Employer follow-up
- Employer certification and authorization
- Pre-use inspection and defect record
- Refresher and evaluation tracking
- Links to OSHA’s official inspection samples
Tribune forms are based on OSHA requirements and guidance. They are not OSHA-issued or OSHA-approved forms. Adapt them to manufacturer instructions and actual conditions.
Course completion and continuing education
Formal learning and continuing education
The program provides narrated formal instruction through short lessons. Written decision activities, the final knowledge assessment, breaks and employer practical training are additional. Complete the required learning and assessment to earn 0.4 CEU.
Clear completion records
The Tribune card states that formal instruction is completed. Employer practical training and workplace evaluation remain separate. The CEU award records qualifying education; it does not grant operating authorization or SST credit.
Forklift course questions
Does this course include hands-on forklift training?
No. This offering provides formal instruction. Your employer must arrange practical training and workplace evaluation with qualified people before independent operation.
Will I receive a card?
After successful course completion, Tribune provides a formal-instruction completion card. It does not independently authorize forklift operation.
Can my employer conduct the practical training and evaluation?
Yes, using persons with the knowledge, training and experience to train operators and evaluate competence. A qualified outside trainer or evaluator may also help. Employer accountability remains.
What if I already have forklift experience or prior training?
Your employer can consider appropriate previous training and evaluate your competence. Additional instruction must address relevant equipment and workplace gaps. Prior experience or a card does not automatically cover every truck or workplace.
Is this an OSHA-issued license?
No. OSHA sets training and evaluation requirements. Tribune provides formal instruction and its completion record; the employer certifies training and evaluation and controls workplace authorization.
How often is evaluation required?
Performance evaluation is required at least every three years. Unsafe operation, accidents or near misses, deficient evaluations, assignment to a different truck type and relevant workplace changes require refresher training in relevant topics and evaluation of its effectiveness.
What do I need to take the course?
Use an internet-connected device with a working camera for course participation and exam checks. Lessons and captions are in English. You can download the workbook and save the fillable PDF forms.
Do I need an employer or forklift before starting?
No equipment is needed for the formal instruction and hypothetical written activities. You must arrange equipment-specific practical training and workplace evaluation through your employer before operating independently.
How does registration work?
Choose Start Course to open the step-by-step secure checkout within this page. Review the course, enter your details and complete registration. Use your student account to access the lessons after enrollment.
Official references: OSHA operator training guidance and OSHA inspection checklist samples.
Start your forklift formal instruction
Complete the course and take a clear employer training and evaluation packet to your workplace.
Register with Tribune
Review the formal-instruction course, enter your details, and register securely. Employer practical training and workplace evaluation remain required.
Current Training Information
Course facts below are synchronized from Tribune Training Academy's training management system.
Schedule, availability and registration options update automatically from TMS.