How to Get a Forklift License
Before driving a car, one is required to possess his or her own driver’s license. It comes as no surprise that heavy machinery like a forklift also requires a forklift license. Using or operating a forklift is disallowed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Otherwise, anyone who is caught operating without one or employing someone without one can get into trouble if there is an accident.
Before taking the test to acquire a forklift license, you must know how the rules in operating a forklift and learn how to move different load types. If you want to use different kinds of forklifts, keep in mind that you’ll be required to have a license for each type. For the standard license, you will be licensed to operate the stand-up forklift and the sit-down lift truck. Expect to be tested on both gas and electric sit-down forklifts.
Forklift Training
Attend a forklift training or seminar and learn as much as you can.
The first phase in obtaining a forklift license is passing a written exam. The exam will ask you to answer questions relating to the typical challenges that one might encounter when operating a forklift.
After passing the written exam, you move onto the second phase–inspecting the sit-down and stand-up forklift . You will have to inspect the different parts and the overall condition of the electric lift. For the gas lift, you will be required to safely remove and replace the gas canister and inspect the forks and the horn.
After these two tests, you will then be tested for your proficiency with operating the forklift. You will be asked to do backing up, beeping the horn, making sure the way behind the forklift is clear. Like driving a normal car, you will be required to slow down at intersections, beep the horn and proceeding with caution.
You will then be required to move loads up and down ramps. Keep in mind that you have the load tilted a bit upward when going down the lift, and downward when going up the ramp.
You will then be asked to move load onto trucks. Check the truck tires first, as they need to have wheel chalks in front of their tires. After moving the load into trucks, you will then have to show proficiency in taking them off.
The last phase in the testing process is removing load from the racks. You have to know each lift is operated when loading and removing pallets into the racks.
After passing all the written and physical tests, you will be issued a license (or a certificate, depending on the state you live in) that will allow you to operate a forklift.