Our range of forklift courses:
Powered Pallet Trucks
A Powered pallet truck or electric pallet mover is a piece of equipment that is used to move pallets at ground level, as well as load and offload pallets from various vehicles. A common place you’ll see people working with powered pallet trucks would be in a warehouse environment.
Counterbalance Forklift Truck
A Counterbalance forklift truck is a straightforward forklift that allows you to manoeuvre up to the exact position of the load you are trying to move. This is because of the forks that extend from the front of the forklift. One advantage of a counterbalance forklift is that they can be used both indoors and outdoors.
It is important not to overload a counterbalance forklift because if the load is heavier than the weight at the back then the forklift can tip over.
Reach Forklift Truck
A Reach forklift truck is an extremely agile forklift, which works well in tight spaces, they are usually found in warehouses. A major benefit of a reach forklift, is obviously the heights they can reach too. The main use of a reach truck is to load and offload products at big heights. However, unlike a counterbalance truck, a reach truck works best indoors. We can also offer a conversion course to counterbalance forklifts.
Pivot Steer Forklift Trucks
Also known as a "Bendi", the difference between a Pivot Steer and a regular forklift is its design, having a bend in the middle between the forks and the body of the vehicle. A Pivot Steer forklift truck, which can also be called a pivot steer forklift, comes with a lot of advantages compared to other types of forklifts, such as: being easy to operate and manoeuvre, good in tight spaces (similar to the reach forklift) and generally being a more comfortable ride than a lot of other forklifts.
Moffett Truck
A Moffett truck is a truck-mounted forklift. It can perform a number of tasks that regular forklifts can, such as carrying loads, but it is light enough that it can be transported on the back of a truck. A major advantage of using a Moffett truck is that it can save money and time as you won’t need to pay to deliver a forklift, as well as the products.
Looking to book your forklift training?
We supply forklift training facilities in Portsmouth, Havant, Southampton, Reading, and Worthing, giving us great coverage of Hampshire, Berkshire, West Sussex, and the surrounding areas.
We have worked hard to ensure that we have the best operator facilities available, with all of our depots having dedicated operator training facilities, which include spacious, well-lit, and clean warehouses.
We also have fully equipped classroom facilities, where our students can complete their theory training in an air-conditioned space.
If you still have questions, view our Forklift FAQs section or call our advisors on 02392 123 555.
Off-Site Forklift Courses Available
We are also able to carry out off-site forklift training on our customer’s sites, using their equipment.
Off-site training is a good idea as it gives operators the chance to practice in their working environment and allows them to train using the equipment they will be operating daily.
There are several requirements that you need to meet before training can be completed at your site, such as sufficient room must be given for practical off-job training.
What is forklift training?
Our FLT courses are designed to give students the correct skills and knowledge that they need to be able to safely and efficiently operate an FLT, specific to the machine used within their chosen course. Furthermore, completing forklift training will show employers that you have the proper training & qualifications as well as helping to ensure the safety of other employees in your workplace.
What is a forklift licence?
A 'forklift licence' is a common term used in this industry as many people refer to their certificate of basic training as a 'licence', but this is not the case.
The certificate is issued upon successful completion of a training course.
Does everyone need to be trained on a forklift truck?
Your employer has a general duty under section 2 of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 to provide information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure the health and safety of their employees.
Under the Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 employers are required to ‘ensure that all persons who use work equipment have received adequate training for purposes of health and safety, including training in the methods which may be adopted when using the work equipment, any risks which such use may entail and precautions to be taken’.
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also place duties on employers to provide training. By not providing you with any training at all, your employer could be breaking the law. Rider-operated lift trucks includes the requirements for basic lift-truck training.
Requirements to get a forklift licence
To be able to operate a forklift, you must be at least 16 years old, unless operating in dockyards, where the age requirement is 18 or over.
If I don't drive a car, can I operate a forklift truck?
You don’t need to hold a driving licence to operate an FLT.
The only time this would become applicable would be when the truck itself would be traveling on the public highway. The factors you need to consider include:
- If you’re planning to operate on a public road or use it to travel along a public road, your vehicle must be registered with the DVLA, taxed, and insured. The Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 specifies that all mechanically propelled vehicles, when used or kept on public roads, must have appropriate registration and taxation, along with the display of registration plates.
- Appropriate lighting is also needed for public roads, including an amber beacon that lights up (this is for occasions when the forklift will be travelling below 25mph). License plates will also be required, like any other road vehicle.
- Drivers must also have passed an operator course and have a full UK driving licence. Depending on the different weights of the truck when fully laden, there may also be different age restrictions on the driver – this is worth investigating in case you assign a vehicle to a driver who is underage.
I have a learning difficulty, or I don't speak English will I struggle on the course?
Our instructors are trained to give assistance to students that have learning difficulties. They can read the theory test questions to the students if required and assist in any way to make the learning process as easy and comfortable as possible for the student.
I have never used a forklift before, what is the best course for me?
For those candidates who don’t have any experience in operating a forklift, we suggest completing a 5-day novice course. This training could be reduced to 4 days if the training is 1:1.
If you want to complete the refresher course, you’ll need forklift certification to prove you’ve had prior training.
If you have lost your certification, you must do a 3-day experienced operator course.
If your certificate has run out, you need to complete a 1-day refresher course.
Do operators need to be retested?
Yes, under Health & Safety guidelines operators of forklift trucks have to be retested at regular intervals, normally every 3-5 years.
Once your operator licence is over 5 years old, you will need to complete a Refresher training course.
What is involved in the examination process?
Testing is broken down into 3 parts.
- Pre-shift check test
- The theory test, consisting of 20 multiple choice questions and 5 short explanation questions.
- Practical operational test. Driving through a chicane and 3 lifts at different heights.
Do managers or supervisors need to be trained?
Yes, managers and supervisors do need to complete the relevant forklift training as PUWER Regulations 1998 state that “all persons who supervise or manage the use of work equipment have received adequate training for the purpose of Health & Safety”.
How much can I earn as a forklift driver?
So the burning question many people will be asking is, how much can I actually earn as a fully certified forklift operator.
Well while I would love to be able to say an exact figure, this question is dependent on multiple key factors such as, type of forklift, the number of years of experience you have, the location within the UK your going to work, and more.
For this reason we have compiled an informative article that helps break this down for you.
