How many years does a forklift licence last for in the UK?

To obtain employment as a forklift operator, many employers will require you to have an up-to-date forklift licence that qualifies you to operate a particular type of forklift. A licence that is too old could hinder employment opportunities as well as affect the safety of others. To ensure you avoid the problems that come along with this, our article will be covering how long a forklift licence lasts and how to refresh a licence. 

What is a forklift licence? 

A forklift licence, or FLT licence, is proof of your ability and competency to operate a particular forklift truck, depending on the licence you have earned and training you have undergone. 

Employers are responsible by law for ensuring their forklift operators are competent to drive and operate a forklift, and this includes obtaining a forklift licence. Included on the licence or certificate is the date that the training took place, the training provider and the name of the licence holder. 

How long does a forklift licence last? 

In theory, there is no expiry date on a forklift licence. However, there is a widely held opinion in the industry that a forklift licence should be renewed every three years to guarantee the high performance and safety of operators. 

This time period is not dictated by law, but is decided by operator or employer discretion. Therefore you may find that, although there is no specific expiry date on forklift licences, current or future employers may wish an operator to undergo refresher training and licence renewal no later than three years after the date of issue. Simply put, you may find it difficult to obtain work if your forklift licence is older than three years. 

Another reason why you need to adhere to this three-year renewal rule, is that your registration to the National Operator Registration Scheme (NORS) will expire after a three-year period. NORS is a database containing the details of all forklift drivers who have completed their appropriate training, so it is wise to remain on this database by renewing your licence. 

What are the forklift licence categories in the UK? 

The categories of training cover the different types of forklift, including: 

• Articulated forklift training: This type of forklift has a section which swings to the side to enable ease of loading and unloading in narrow spaces. 

• Counterbalance forklift training: A category of forklift suited to more open areas, they are designed for heavy loads and have a wide turning circle. 

• Reach forklift training: As the name suggests, this type of forklift is created to reach goods that are stacked high up and are most commonly used in warehouses. 

• Multi-directional forklift training: Similar to sideloaders, multi-directional forklifts have the ability to drive in all directions and operate both outside and inside. 

The accreditation process also has three additional categories: B1 means that you can operate machines weighing up to 5000 kg; B2 means that you can operate machines weighing between 5000 kg and 15000 kg; B3 means you can operate machines over 15000 kg. 

How to refresh your forklift licence 

A forklift licence is renewed by completing the appropriate forklift refresher training. This may be supplied by the company you work for, or it may be delivered by a third-party training provider, such as East Midlands Forklifts. 

These courses are essential not only for the renewal of your licence, but also to hone your skills, knowledge and practical ability when it comes to operating a particular forklift truck. This is vital for protecting the safety of yourself and those around you. 

Searching for a fully accredited provider of forklift training? Here at East Midlands Forklifts, our AITT-accredited instructors help you strengthen the skills of your workforce by delivering training for all types of forklift. We provide these essential courses to companies across the area, including Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester, so simply get in touch to find out more.