Most employers assume that if an operator has a certificate, the box is ticked. In practice, that certificate only covers part of what’s required – and the gap between “has a ticket” and “is properly qualified for this job, on this truck, on this site” is where problems usually begin.
Here’s what qualified actually means in 2026, and how to check your team measures up.
There’s no such thing as a forklift licence
No government body issues forklift licences. What operators hold is a certificate of basic training – evidence they’ve been assessed as competent by a qualified instructor, usually through an accredited body such as RTITB or NPORS.
That distinction matters. The responsibility doesn’t end at checking a card; it sits with the employer to be able to show the person driving the truck is genuinely competent. If you’re starting from scratch, our guide to getting a forklift licence explains how certification actually works.
Training happens in three stages – most employers only cover one
HSE guidance divides operator training into basic training, specific job training and familiarisation training. Basic and specific job training can be combined, but must take place off the job, away from production pressure. Familiarisation is carried out on the job, under close supervision. hse
Stages two and three are the ones commonly skipped. An operator arrives with a valid certificate from a previous employer, gets pointed at a truck, and starts work the same afternoon. They may be trained in general terms -but they haven’t been trained for your racking layout, your traffic routes, or your loading bay.
A basic course should be long enough to meet the requirements of the L117 Approved Code of Practice -typically three to five days for a complete novice. Anyone offering a full beginner’s certification in a few hours isn’t delivering training; they’re selling paperwork. hse
Each truck type needs its own certification
A counterbalance certificate doesn’t authorise someone to operate a reach truck. Different machines handle, balance and behave differently, so each requires separate certification – whether that’s counterbalance, reach truck, powered pallet truck, VNA or telehandler.
Where someone already holds one category, a conversion course is the quicker route to adding another.
It’s also worth knowing that while the L117 Approved Code of Practice text covers stacking rider-operated lift trucks, the employer’s duty extends to operators of all lift truck types – including pedestrian-operated and stand-on pallet trucks. The ACOP standard should be used as the benchmark for those too. Powered pallet truck operators aren’t exempt. UKMHA
Experience isn’t the same as certification
“He’s been driving trucks for fifteen years” is common – and it isn’t enough on its own. HSE notes that operators with relevant experience may need less extensive training than novices, but cautions employers not to overestimate the value of that experience. hse
Long-standing operators often carry habits that were never corrected. A semi-experienced course assesses and certifies existing ability rather than teaching from the beginning, so there’s rarely a practical reason to leave an experienced operator uncertified.
When certificates need refreshing
There’s no fixed statutory expiry date on forklift certification. HSE guidance recommends automatic refresher training or a retest after a set period – commonly three to five years – as the most reliable way to ensure operators remain competent. UKMHA
Refresher training is also worth considering sooner if an operator has had an incident or near miss, hasn’t used a particular truck for a long stretch, has moved to a different site or shift pattern, or if supervisors have raised concerns. Refresher courses are considerably shorter than initial training.
A quick compliance check
Run through these for each operator on your site:
- Do you hold a copy of their certificate, and does it name the specific truck type they operate?
- Is it within a sensible refresher window?
- Have they completed site-specific familiarisation, and is it recorded?
- Have they been formally authorised in writing to operate that truck?
- Does your record system flag certificates approaching renewal?
If you can’t answer confidently for every name on the list, that’s the place to start.
Keeping training practical
For teams, sending operators away individually creates scheduling headaches. Onsite training is usually more practical – operators are assessed on your own machines, in your actual working environment, which also covers the site-specific element properly.
You can see the full range of options on our forklift training courses page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do forklift certificates legally expire?
No fixed expiry applies in law. Industry guidance recommends refresher training every three to five years, and sooner following an incident or a long period away from the truck.
Can an operator use their certificate at a new employer?
Basic training transfers, but specific job and familiarisation training don’t. A new employer still needs to deliver site-specific training and formally authorise the operator.
Does one certificate cover all forklifts?
No. Certification is truck-specific. Moving between categories requires conversion training and a separate assessment.
Do powered pallet truck operators need training?
Yes. The employer’s duty to ensure adequate training applies to all lift truck types, including pedestrian-operated trucks.
How long does forklift training take?
Typically three to five days for a novice. Semi-experienced, refresher and conversion courses are shorter, depending on the operator’s existing ability.
Can training take place at our own premises?
Yes – onsite delivery uses your own equipment and layout, which covers site familiarisation at the same time.