Forklift licence: the complete guide

The term 'forklift licence' is ubiquitous in everyday business - correctly, it refers to forklift operator training (adequate training ensured by the employer). This distinction is not just a matter of wording: anyone who wants to make a good impression in job adverts or dealings with the authorities should know the correct term.

The legal basis is the Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work together with the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment). These set out the employer's duties when providing and using work equipment such as forklifts.

The certificate confirms that the holder has completed recognised training, passed the associated test and thus has the minimum qualification for operating a forklift professionally. Without the required operator qualification, nobody may drive a forklift professionally - regardless of whether it is an own or a rented vehicle.

Please note: The certificate applies to use on company premises and private traffic areas. As soon as a forklift drives on public roads, the rules of the Belgian Highway Code (Royal Decree of 1 December 1975) also apply.

In principle, anyone who professionally operates a forklift, reach truck, high-lift truck, pedestrian stacker with platform or other powered industrial truck with a lifting function. This includes:

• Warehouse and logistics staff in industry, retail and e-commerce

• Machine operators on sites with telehandlers and reach stackers

• Production and assembly staff

• Staff in agriculture (yard loaders, telehandlers in the field)

• Drivers in cold-chain logistics, food retail and the beverage industry

The employer bears the main responsibility. Under the Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work and the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment), the employer must ensure that only qualified and expressly appointed persons drive forklifts. A written appointment - often called a 'driving authorisation' or work instruction - is recommended so that it can be documented within the company. An employee who drives without the required qualification, and an employer who tolerates this, may be held liable in the event of damage.

The admission requirements for the training are clear:

Minimum age Age requirements follow applicable Belgian safety rules. Apprentices may become familiar with the machine as part of their training and under the direct supervision of an experienced driver. Independent driving in the company is only permitted once the legal requirements are met.

Physical fitness Adequate eyesight and hearing are basic requirements. Visual impairments must be corrected with glasses or lenses; certain medication or illnesses may limit fitness to drive. Operating lifting appliances or motor vehicles is a safety function if it can endanger others; the employer determines this in the risk analysis. A prior health assessment by the occupational physician is then mandatory (Code, Art. I.4-25), followed by periodic assessments every 24 months. Such an examination usually includes an eyesight and hearing test, a reaction test and a general assessment of physical fitness. It takes place during working hours; the employer bears the travel costs.

Prior knowledge Technical prior knowledge is not a formal requirement but considerably shortens the training time. Those who have already worked in logistics often manage with a one-day course.

Step 1: theory and practice

The training consists of a theoretical and a practical part, which are usually completed together.

Theoretical training content:

• Legal basis: Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work, Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment)

• Design, function and components of the forklift (mast, forks, hydraulics, battery/engine)

• Stability and load centre (stability triangle, tipping line, load chart)

• Operating hazards: risk of tipping, uncontrolled load drop, cornering with a raised load

• Traffic rules on company premises (walking speed, right of way, safety distances)

• Work instruction and appointment procedure

Practical training content:

• Daily pre-use and post-use check (visual inspection, fluid check, brake test)

• Driving without a load (straight ahead, cornering, reversing)

• Picking up and setting down loads (entering the pallet, positioning, lifting and lowering)

• Driving with a load (transport run, unloading, high stacking in racks)

• Behaviour in the event of accidents, technical defects and interruptions

The exam

The training ends with a two-part final exam:

Theory exam: multiple-choice questions on regulations, technology and operational safety. The number of questions and the pass mark are set by the training provider.

Practical exam: a standardised practical course with set tasks (picking up a load, putting it into racking, cross travel, reversing, parking). Safety, precision and compliance with operating rules are assessed.

Anyone who fails can usually retake the exam; the waiting period and whether the other part must also be repeated are set by the provider.

Step 2: additional training for special forklifts

For certain vehicle types, type-specific additional training (step 2) is advisable:

• Side loaders

• Three-wheel forklifts with increased requirements

• Telehandlers and reach stackers (depending on the application)

• High-rack stackers (reach trucks above 4 m)

Supplementary training requires completed basic training; its duration is set by the provider.

Course costs vary considerably depending on the provider, region, course length and number of participants. Belgian training providers set their own prices; request a quote:

Format	Price (external, individual booking)
One-day course (for experienced drivers)	on request from the provider
Standard course (for beginners)	on request from the provider
Intensive course (incl. exam)	on request from the provider
In-house training (group)	flat rate on request from the provider

Possible additional costs include a medical examination, work equipment and travel costs. As a rule, the employer covers the costs.

→ Detailed price table: Cost of forklift operator training

Format	Duration	Target group
One-day course	1 day	Experienced logistics staff
Standard course	several days or evenings (one Flemish provider lists e.g. 18 hours)	Beginners, career changers
Basic and supplementary training combined	depending on the provider	Qualification for special forklifts

→ All details: How long does forklift operator training take?

Good to know: the law sets no fixed period of validity for a forklift operator training certificate. Training providers usually state a validity of 5 years and then offer a refresher - and the operator must remain physically fit.

What is recommended, however: regular refresher instruction under the Belgian well-being at work legislation (Act of 4 August 1996 and the Code on Well-being at Work). This responsibility lies with the employer, not the driver: the employer must ensure adequate training. Without up-to-date instruction, the company can hardly demonstrate that the driver is sufficiently trained. In the event of damage, this can have consequences for the company's liability.

→ In detail, incl. liability consequences: Validity of the forklift certificate and refresher instruction

On public roads, the internal forklift certificate does not replace a driving licence:

Licence B: for self-propelled industrial equipment such as forklifts, up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

Licence C1 or C: above 3,500 kg MAM - C1 up to 7,500 kg, C above that.

Trailer: with licence B up to 750 kg or as long as the combination does not exceed 4,250 kg, otherwise B+E (trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM).

In practice, this mainly concerns sites with crossings between areas, transfers across public roads or loading on low-loader parking areas. For pure warehouse and hall operation, the forklift certificate alone is sufficient.

Is forklift operator training mandatory?

Yes. Under the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment), a forklift may only be operated professionally by workers who have received adequate training. The employer must ensure this training and should record it in writing.

How old do I have to be for forklift operator training?

From the age of 18 the law sets no specific age limit; training centres usually require a minimum age of 18. Student workers may not operate motorised equipment for moving, lifting or stacking loads (Code, Art. X.3-11/1). For other young workers, hazardous work is only permitted under strict conditions: specific training, supervision and an experienced colleague (Code, Art. X.3-10).

What is the difference between the various forklift certificates?

Training providers issue certificates in different forms. For deployment in the company, what matters is not the form or colour of the document but proof of adequate training, which the employer must ensure under the Code on Well-being at Work.

Is the forklift certificate valid abroad?

In principle, a certificate of adequate training is accepted in many European countries. In practice, employers should check the national requirements for cross-border work – especially in France (CACES R489), the Netherlands (VCA/Arbowet), Germany (DGUV) and Switzerland (SUVA guidelines).

Can the employer require forklift operator training?

Yes, and they must. Under the Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work and the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment), the employer must ensure that only qualified persons operate forklifts. Whether the employer pays for the training is a separate employment contract matter.

What if the refresher instruction was forgotten?

Regular refresher instruction is recommended. Without it, the employer can hardly demonstrate that the employee is sufficiently trained to drive a forklift, and in the event of damage this can have consequences for the company's liability. The instruction can be made up and should be documented in writing (date, content, signatures).

Luibl Rental delivers forklifts, telehandlers, reach trucks and electric forklifts directly to your site or warehouse – delivery throughout Belgium. Short- and long-term rental, available at short notice.

→ Rent a forklift from Luibl Rental