• The term forklift licence is commonly used, but there is no physical licence like a driving licence.
• Instead, when people say “forklift licence,” they usually mean that someone has completed basic forklift-truck safety and operation training and received a certificate of training.
• This certificate allows the person to operate a forklift safely and competently.

Who needs a forklift licence?

• Anyone who drives or operates a forklift — whether as their main job or only occasionally — should have passed the required basic training.
• This includes employees in warehousing, construction, logistics, or any business where lifting/manipulating materials by forklift is involved.

Who can apply for forklift training?

According to the relevant code of practice:

• Must have reached the minimum school-leaving age (typically 16, though many workplaces set 18).
• Must have a good understanding of spoken and written English.
• Should have a reasonable level of physical fitness, suitable for operating machinery safely.

Completing this training can be a useful step for school leavers or apprentices starting a career in warehousing or construction.

How long does it take, cost, and what it allows you to do?

Does a driving licence matter?

• You do not need a UK driving licence to take the forklift training course or to operate a forklift on private property.
• However, if you plan to drive the forklift on public roads, then you must have a valid full UK driving licence.

Licence validity: Does it expire or need renewing?

• Unlike driving licences in the UK, forklift-certification certificates from basic training do not expire, and are often treated as lifelong qualifications.
• Despite this, many employers offer refresher or conversion courses — either to reacquaint operators with machinery after a break, or to train them on different types of lift trucks.
• The refresher or conversion courses are optional and may be requested based on business needs; they are not a legal requirement to “renew” the certificate.

Are there different types of forklift licences?

• No — there are no different “forklift licences” as such.
• What does vary is the type of training course (novice, experienced, refresher, conversion), and the type of forklift truck you are trained to operate.
• Training courses offered by providers (like SB Skills Solutions) are often accredited by recognised bodies such as National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS).

Choosing the right forklift training: What to consider

When deciding how to obtain a forklift-vehicle operator certificate, it depends on:

1. Your prior experience — if you have none, choose a full “novice” course; if you already have experience, a shorter conversion or refresher might be enough.
2. The type of forklift used — different forklifts (counterbalance, reach, stacker, etc.) may need different training.
3. Budget and time availability — full courses are longer and cost more; refresher courses are quicker and cheaper.
4. Employer requirements — some employers may require refresher training or extra safety modules tailored to their workplace.

Summary: What you should know

1. The so-called “forklift licence” is really a certificate of training, not a government-issued licence.
2. Anyone who operates a forklift — even occasionally — should have completed proper training.
3. Training typically takes 3–5 days for novices, or 1–2 days for conversion/refresher courses.
4. After successful training, you get a paper certificate — legal and valid indefinitely.
5. For public-road use of forklifts, you also need a valid UK driving licence

Looking to start forklift truck training?

SB Skills provides accredited forklift training delivered by experienced instructors in a safe and supportive environment. Our team offers professional, relevant training for individuals and employees who want to develop new skills or improve workplace safety.

If you need help choosing the right course, our trainers and support staff are available to assist you.

To discuss your requirements, call 01695 558 420 or email info@sbskills.co.uk to submit your enquiry.

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Forklift training is essential for:

• Aspiring operators seeking new skills and career opportunities
• Employers ensure staff operate machinery safely and legally

Why Forklift Training is Necessary

• It is a legal requirement under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 that employers provide sufficient training to ensure safety.
• Training reduces accidents and ensures the safety of operators, colleagues, and others on site.

Who Can Take Forklift Training

• Minimum age: 16 years old (school-leaving age)
• Must have good verbal and written English skills
• For CPCS-accredited courses, participants must pass the CITB Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) test within the last two years

Who Needs Forklift Training

• Any individual or employee operating a forklift truck
• Managers and supervisors in construction, warehousing, or logistics
• Job seekers in relevant sectors can benefit from certification

Objectives of Forklift Training

At the end of a training course, participants will be able to:

• Operate the forklift safely according to manufacturer instructions
• Identify causes of instability for trucks and loads
• Perform routine pre-use inspections
• Obtain certification from an accredited body (e.g., CPCS red card for those who pass the practical and theory tests)

What is Included in Forklift Training

Training typically covers:

1. Introduction to the forklift and its controls
2. Safe mounting and dismounting procedures
3. Moving, stopping, and steering the forklift
4. Operation of hydraulic controls
5. Assessing weight and stability
6. Handling laden and unladen pallets
7. Stacking and de-stacking loads
8. Driving on ramps and inclines
9. Loading and unloading road vehicles
10. Pre-use checks and refuelling
11. Theory on safety codes
12. Practical assessment of skills

Training Duration and Ratios

• Courses vary depending on machinery type, participant experience, and class size
• Typical ratio: 3 trainees per 1 instructor for practical sessions
• Example: 3 novice trainees require about 5 days (37.5 hours) of training
• Experienced operators may need shorter training or conversion courses for different forklifts

Training Costs

Forklift Training at SB Skills Solutions

• Accredited by NPORS and CPCS
• Offers tailored in-house courses for employer needs
• Experienced trainers provide practical and theoretical instruction
• Helps young adults and employees develop skills for safe forklift operation

Get Started with Forklift Training

If you want to operate a forklift safely and professionally, SB Skills is ready to help.

Call 01695 558 420 or email info@sbskills.co.uk to find out more about our forklift training courses and secure your place.

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Summary Table:

Terminology: Licence vs Certification

• There is no formal “forklift licence” in the UK.
• What operators receive is certification upon successfully completing a forklift training course.
• That certificate does not have an expiration date.

.

Renewal / Refresher Training

• Because the certification doesn’t expire, there is no legal requirement to renew it.
• However, refresher training is strongly recommended to maintain safety and competence.
• The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) recommends refresher forklift training every 3 years.
• Employers often set policies about how frequently they expect refresher training, but this is not mandated by law.
• If an operator has had a long break from forklift duties, it’s good practice to take refresher training.

Cost of Refresher Training (“Renewal”)

• Because certification does not expire, there’s no statutory obligation to renew.
• But if an accident occurs involving a forklift operator, the employer could be held liable if they failed to ensure the operator had up-to-date refresher training.

Liability & Legal Considerations

• Since there is no true licence renewal, the cost is simply the cost of the refresher training itself.
• Experienced operator / refresher training courses typically cost £295–£350 in the UK.
• Group discounts may be available if an employer sends multiple employees for training with a provider.

Refresher Training via SB Skills Solutions

• SB Skills Solutions offers refresher forklift training delivered by qualified instructors and professional examiners.
• Our training is either NPORS-accredited or delivered in-house and tailored to client requirements.
• We provide training for novices, conversions, and experienced operators.
• We operate nationwide (UK) and work with commercial and private clients.

To speak to an expert member of our team, simply call us on 01695 558 420 or send an email to info@sbskills.co.uk. Alternatively, you can also fill out and submit our handy online contact form and once we’ve received your enquiry, we’ll get back to your shortly to find out

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SB Skills Solutions provides expert training for Material Handling Equipment (MHE), helping employees operate equipment safely and efficiently. With over 30 years of experience in forklift training and workplace health and safety, SB Skills ensures learners gain both practical skills and certification.

What is MHE training?

MHE training teaches employees how to safely lift, move, and store materials using specialized equipment. Training covers a range of tools, including:

• Pallet trucks (manual and battery-powered)
• Conveyor systems
• Cranes
• Lifts and hoists
• Forklifts (counterbalance, reach, pivot steer, VNA)
• Order pickers
• Stackers and electric pallet trucks

Forklifts as MHE

Forklifts are a core type of MHE and are widely used in warehouses, distribution centers, and construction sites to move materials safely. Types of forklifts included in training:

• Counterbalance trucks
• Reach trucks
• Pivot steer trucks
• Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) trucks
• Electric pallet and stacker trucks
• Certification and Licensing

There is no formal “MHE licence,” but completing MHE training provides a certificate of competency, confirming safe operation of equipment. Certifications are generally permanent, but employers may require refresher or conversion courses if new equipment is introduced or skills have lapsed.

MHE Training at SB Skills Solutions

SB Skills offers:

• NPORS-accredited MHE and forklift courses
• Beginner, refresher, and conversion training
• Customised in-house options for companies
• Safe, supportive learning environments with expert instructors

Training with SB Skills opens career opportunities in construction, warehousing, and logistics, regardless of previous experience.

MHE Training Overview Table

For more information, SB Skills can be contacted at 01695 558420 or info@sbskills.co.uk

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Regardless of whether you’re new to operating heavy machinery or have been interested in construction and warehousing for a while now, we can help.

Below, our expert team of qualified forklift operator instructors explains exactly what to expect when you decide to undergo forklift novice training.

What’s involved in forklift training for novices?

Designed for those with no prior knowledge of forklift truck operation, SB Skills’ accredited forklift novice training course involves teaching basic operator training while also ensuring the relevant health and safety regulations are observed.

Once the course has been successfully completed by a novice applicant, they must be able to conduct a routine pre-inspection of the vehicle, and then competently and safely operate the relevant forklift truck model according to the manufacturer’s procedures manual.

They must also show an understanding of the risks posed to trucks and their loads, including the causes of forklift instability.

How long does a novice forklift course last?

The length of a forklift truck novice training course will naturally vary depending on the number of course members, instructors, and trucks.

Often, employers will send several staff members for group forklift training to help save on costs and upskill more of their workforce at once.

By way of illustration, a three-person forklift novice training course led by an SB Skills instructor with one forklift truck will typically take five days (or 32.5 working hours) to complete, while the two-person alternative takes four days (or 26 working hours).

The one-person version requires just three days (or 19.5 hours).

Novice forklift training at SB Skills Solutions

Here at SB Skills Solutions, we offer a wide variety of forklift truck operator courses – including those for novices as well as experienced operators looking for conversion or refresher training.

This course also meets the requirements placed upon employers set out by The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, as well as the duties mentioned in the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and those in the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, and additional relevant regulations and codes of practice.

Regardless of which course is right for you, our experienced team of expert instructors is on hand every step of the way to provide support and guidance.

As a trusted national training provider, we offer NPORS (National Plant Operators Registration Scheme) accredited courses alongside our own in-house training provision, so there’s plenty of options to explore to suit your specific requirements.

If you’d like to learn more about our courses or have a query, don’t hesitate to get in touch today!

To speak to one of our friendly team members about your forklift training requirements, simply give us a call on 01695 558 420.

Alternatively, you can also email your enquiry to info@sbskills.co.uk or fill and submit our convenient online contact form.

The post How long is a novice forklift course? appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

If the construction and warehousing industry is calling your name, it’s important to know the legal requirements of your preferred position.

Below, we take a look at the various forklift truck training legal requirements that you’ll need to abide by if you want to pursue a career as a forklift truck operator.

What are the legal requirements for driving a forklift?

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a ‘forklift licence’ to operate a forklift.

However, you do need to have completed the relevant forklift truck training. This will ensure you know how to safely operate a forklift – covering everything from the risks of forklift operation to how to conduct a routine pre-use inspection of the vehicle.

Furthermore, while you do not need to have a full UK driving licence to either operate a forklift or undertake the training, you will also need a driving licence if you plan to operate a forklift on a public highway.

On top of these course-specific requirements, applicants must also possess basic numeracy skills and have the ability to speak, read, and write English to a degree that ensures they can complete the necessary training.

Individuals should also be reasonably fit both physically and mentally.

How old do you need to be to drive a forklift?

Part of the aforementioned forklift truck training legal requirements, there is also a minimum applicant age.

Set by the HSE, the individual undertaking forklift truck training must be of MSLA (minimum school-leaving age) which is typically 18 in the UK.

Professional forklift training at SB Skills Solutions

For more information regarding forklift truck training legal requirements or any other related queries you might have about becoming a forklift operator, feel free to contact our helpful team today.

Our qualified and experienced forklift operation instructors will be able to answer a wide range of questions!

Alternatively, if you’re ready to start your career as a forklift operator, why not take a look at our comprehensive forklift truck training course?

Designed to help individuals break into the construction or warehousing industry, we offer National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) accredited courses as well as our own in-house training.

As trusted training provider, our friendly and knowledgeable team is on hand to help you select the right training course for yourself or your employees.

To learn more about our courses, prices, and training services, simply give us a call on 01695 558 420 or send your enquiry via email to info@sbskills.co.uk

You can also get in touch by filling in and submitting our handy online contact form.

The post Is forklift training a legal requirement? appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

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Providing an individual with the skills required to safely operate a forklift truck, forklift certification is an essential qualification for anyone wanting to land a material handling equipment (MHE) role or forklift operator position.

Below, we set out the various forklift truck qualifications that must be met before an individual can safely operate a forklift.

We also explore what a forklift certification permits the holder to do before taking a look at the various forklift licences and helping you to determine which one is right for you.

What qualifications are required to drive a forklift?

To safely and legally operate a forklift in the UK and become forklift certified, you must complete the relevant training course.

There are three main types of forklift training course; novice, experienced, and refresher.

Novice courses, being designed for individuals with no previous forklift training or experience, are longer and more comprehensive.

Experienced courses, on the other hand, are suitable for those who have already passed basic forklift training, but they require educating perhaps on the operation of a new kind of forklift truck or the operation of forklift trucks according to the latest health and safety regulations.

Refresher courses are often much shorter than the comprehensive beginner courses and, as the name suggests, they focus on simply updating the knowledge of individuals that have already achieved their forklift certification.

The appropriate forklift training course for you will therefore vary depending on your forklift experience and prior training.

However, before you can even apply for a forklift training course, you must meet the requirements set out in the HSE’s L117 ACOP (Approved Code of Practice relating to the main legal requirements of lift trucks).

This official guidance states that only individuals who are of minimum school-leaving age and have the ability to understand verbal and written English are eligible.

It’s also important to bear in mind that while a UK driving licence is not required to complete a forklift training course (or to even operate one in the workplace), it will be required if you plan on driving the forklift on a public road.

A full UK driving licence will therefore be necessary if the operator is required to drive the forklift off private property and to another location via public roads.

From abiding by the speed limit to stopping at red lights, all the relevant public road laws must be adhered to – including owning a valid driving licence – if you want to become forklift certified while on the road.

What does forklift certification permit the holder to do?

Once you’ve obtained the relevant forklift certification,you’ll be able to drive and operate a forklift truck in a safe and competent manner.

You’ll be able to prove competency in this area to potential employers, helping you to obtain various MHE positions and forklift operator roles in the construction and warehousing industries.

Regardless of whether the role requires you to receive and store deliveries or transport goods from one location to another, forklifts and their operators are vital in many industries. They are often found within manufacturing, retail, waste management, supermarket, agriculture, and loading and distribution businesses.

Which forklift licence is best?

As the term ‘forklift licence’ simply refers to successfully passing a forklift training course, there’s no such thing as a physical forklift licence and therefore there are no different forklift licences.

There is a range of courses offered by training providers like SB Skills Solutions that are accredited by different bodies.

For example, most of our industrial forklift truck training is accredited by the National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS)

We also conduct in-house training that can be tailored to the needs of your organisation – for example, including additional elements of on-site safety tuition that your workers might benefit from.

Because forklifts and other MHE can be dangerous if an individual has not been properly trained, hiring operators with a recognised forklift certification can help businesses to avoid potentially costly damages and injuries.

Become forklift certified with SB Skills Solutions

Keen to achieve your forklift certification?

Here at SB Skills Solutions, we’ve helped countless individuals pass their forklift training, allowing them to successfully start or continue their career in the construction or warehousing industry.

Our comprehensive forklift training course is led by qualified and experienced instructors that ensure all participants receive plenty of expert support.

Serving businesses of all shapes and sizes, our professional team of testers and trainers are on hand and eager to find out more about how we can help you.

Regardless of whether you require support selecting the right training course for your employees or would like to find out more about our forklift truck training course, we want to hear from you!

You can either speak directly to a member of our team by calling us at 01695 558 420 or get in touch by emailing us at info@sbskills.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can also get in contact with us by visiting our convenient online contact page. Simply fill in the contact form with the requested basic contact details as well as your enquiry, and we’ll be in touch shortly to provide exceptional customer support.

The post How to become forklift certified appeared first on SB Skills Solutions.

Below, we take a closer look at what makes a forklift a counterbalance truck to help you decide whether this type of versatile and long-lasting forklift is right for your business and its specific storage and transportation requirements.

From counterbalance lift truck training to finding out whether you’ll need a counterbalance licence, the experts at SB Skills Solutions can answer the most common questions.

What is a counterbalance truck?

A counterbalance truck, also referred to as a B1 or B2 forklift, is the most common type of forklift people think of when they think about this type of machinery.

They are known as counterbalance trucks due to their design, which features a counterbalance weight at the rear of the truck to off-set the load that’s being lifted at the front of the forklift and prevent the vehicle from tipping over.

Most often, these incredibly powerful machines transport heavy objects, but they are used across a wide range of industries thanks to their counterweight. This makes them a safer option than other forklifts because it helps to prevent them from falling over and endangering both the driver and pedestrians working around the forklift.

Counterbalance trucks are classed as B1 forklifts if they have a capacity of up to 5000kg, but referred to as B2 forklifts if they have a capacity over 5000kg. They can often reach heights of around 5m and have either three or four wheels with the three-wheeled counterbalance trucks being better suited to operating in tighter spaces.

The front of the forklift boasts two forks that allow it to drive right up next to the load that requires transporting to then pick it up and move it to the desired location. Not to mention, these types of forklifts can be powered by either electric, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas – a type of highly efficient hydrocarbon gas that exists in a liquefiedform), or diesel.

What is a counterbalance truck used for?

Counterbalance trucks can be used in a wide range of environments and situations including storage spaces, warehouses, and distribution systems. Ideal for transporting goods from one location to another, they can also be used for stacking items and even come with horizontal transport functions.

These versatile forklift trucks can be used inside on smooth, flat surfaces as well as on a construction site that often comes with more hazards and rougher terrain. Their sought-after versatility is in no small part thanks to the wide variety of attachments that can be fitted onto counterbalance trucks, such as clamps, rotators, and carpet poles.

What are the benefits of counterbalance trucks?

Counterbalance trucks come with many benefits that make them an advantageous addition to your business. By way of illustrating, electric counterbalance forklift trucks, in particular, only require water and electricity to keep them going instead of costly fuel. Plus, as you won’t need to store fuel for these electric trucks and can instead simply change the battery, helping to reduce the number of health and safety risks.

While every piece of machinery requires maintenance, you’ll be impressed to discover that high-quality counterbalance trucks typically have long life spans (often between 10,000 – 20,000 hours of usage before a major repair is required), meaning only the more affordable small repairs and part replacements will be required to keep this forklift truck in tip-top working condition.

Is a licence required to drive a counterbalance truck?

Put simply, no, a counterbalance licence is not required to drive a counterbalance truck. What many people refer to as a ‘forklift licence’ is actually just certification that someone has passed the basic relevant training and can now safely operate a forklift. Once you’ve achieved this certification, it will last a lifetime unless refresher or conversion training is required.

While a physical counterbalance forklift licence is not required for operating a counterbalance truck, an individual must meet the requirements of the forklift training course. According to HSE’s L117 ACOP (Approved Code of Practice) guidance, applicants must be of minimum school leaving age (MSLA) with a good enough understanding of verbal and written English to take the forklift training course.

Is an A16 forklift the same as a counterbalance truck?

If you’re interested in counterbalance lift truck training, it’s also worth mentioning that a counterbalance truck is sometimes referred to as an A16 industrial forklift truck. This is a term used by the CPCS (Construction Plant Competence Scheme), a not-for-profit organisation that helps those interested in the construction industry to gain vital skills, to refer to their CPCS forklift training courses. These courses are often advertised as ‘CPCS A16 Industrial Counterbalance Forklift’ training.

Where to find counterbalance truck training

On the lookout for fully accredited counterbalance forklift training courses in the Manchester and Liverpool area? Choose SB Skills Solutions. Based in Skelmersdale, our forklift training courses are led by professional instructors and examiners, are accredited by NPORS or held in-house. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced forklift operators, we offer everything from conversion courses and refresher re-tests to full training for counterbalance truck novices.

Call SB Skills Solution today!

To pick the brain of one of our team members or to book a place on one of our upcoming counterbalance forklift truck training courses, please don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and dial 01695 558 420. Alternatively, you can also get in touch with our helpful team by emailing us at info@sbskills.co.uk or using our handy online contact form.

Once we’ve received your enquiry, we’ll ensure a member of our team gets in touch shortly to find out more about your forklift training requirements. Regardless of whether you’re in need of training recommendations or want to find out more about our next forklift training course, our fantastic team is on hand to help with their unparalleled level of customer service!

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