If you are thinking about becoming a forklift operator, or you need to train people in your team, the price is usually one of the first things you want to know. It is a fair question. The honest answer is that it varies. Two people booking a "forklift licence" on the same day can pay very different amounts because they need different courses.
This guide explains what you are actually paying for, what pushes the price up or down and how to make sure you get training that is worth the money.
Is there actually such a thing as a forklift licence?
Not in the way most people think. There is no government-issued forklift licence in the UK. There is no equivalent of a driving licence from the DVLA. What people call a "forklift licence" is really a certificate. It shows that an operator has been trained and has passed an assessment on a particular type of truck.
The Health and Safety Executive publishes an Approved Code of Practice for rider-operated lift trucks, known as L117. It says operators must be trained and assessed before they are allowed to use a lift truck at work. Most employers and insurers expect that training to be delivered by an instructor registered with an accrediting body such as RTITB, so it is worth checking a provider's accreditation before you book anything.
If you want to know the steps involved in getting qualified, read our guide How can I get a forklift licence?
What affects the forklift licence cost?
Five things make the biggest difference to the price you pay.
1. How much experience the operator has
Courses are graded by experience. The length of the course is the single biggest factor in the forklift licence cost, because you are paying for the instructor's time and the use of the truck.
- Novice courses are for people with little or no experience. They are the longest courses and typically run for three to five days.
- Experienced operator courses are for people who have driven forklifts before but do not hold a current certificate. These typically take one to three days.
- Conversion courses are for trained operators who are moving to a different type of truck.
- Refresher courses are for certified operators who need their skills updating and reassessing. These take one day for up to three operators.
2. The type of truck
Each type of truck needs its own training. Counterbalance forklifts are the most common, but reach trucks, very narrow aisle (VNA) trucks, side-loaders and powered pallet trucks all have separate courses.
Counterbalance training is also split by lifting capacity. B1 covers trucks up to 5 tonnes, B2 covers 5 to 15 tonnes and B3 covers trucks over 15 tonnes. As a rule, larger trucks and specialist equipment cost more to train on.
3. How many people are training
An instructor can only teach a limited number of trainees at once so that everyone gets enough time behind the controls. Because of that, training a small group together is usually better value per person than booking people in one at a time.
4. Where the training takes place
You can train at a training centre or on your own premises. On-site training saves travel time and lets operators learn on the trucks they will actually use, in the space they will actually work in. Training at a centre means you do not need to provide a truck or set aside a training area.
5. Accreditation and certification
Accredited training includes registering the operator's certificate with the accrediting body. That gives the employer a recognised record of the training and makes it easier for the operator to prove their qualification to a future employer.
Where can I see BJB Lift Trucks training prices?
Current prices for each of our courses are shown on our training course pages, where you can also book a place. As a guide to course lengths:
- Novice: 3 to 5 days
- Experienced operator: 1 to 3 days
- Refresher: 1 day (up to 3 operators)
Training can take place at our Grimsby training centre or on your own site. If you would like to train a group on site, call us on 01472 230244 to talk it through.
Why the cheapest course is not always the best value
A low price is tempting. Before you book, though, it is worth checking exactly what you are getting. Ask the training provider:
- whether the instructor is registered with an accrediting body such as RTITB
- whether the course length is right for the trainee's level of experience
- whether the price includes the theory test, the practical test and the certificate
- whether the course covers the type of truck the operator will really be using
A course that is too short or not accredited may not satisfy your employer or your insurer. If there is ever an accident it may not satisfy the HSE either. Paying a little more for proper training is cheaper than dealing with the consequences of poor training.
Who usually pays for forklift training?
In most cases the employer pays. Employers have a legal duty to make sure their operators are adequately trained, so many cover the cost for new starters as well as existing staff.
Some people pay for their own training to improve their job prospects. Forklift skills are in steady demand in warehousing, logistics, food production and manufacturing, so it can be a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for work in those sectors.
Will I need to pay again later?
A forklift certificate has no legal expiry date. Even so, operators should have refresher training and be reassessed from time to time. At BJB we recommend refresher training every 3 years, or sooner if an operator has an accident or moves to a different truck. So it is sensible to budget for a one day refresher course every three years. We explain this in more detail in How long does a forklift licence last?
Forklift training with BJB Lift Trucks
BJB Lift Trucks provides RTITB-accredited forklift training at our training centre in Grimsby or on your own site anywhere in the region. Our courses cover counterbalance, reach truck, powered pallet truck, VNA and side-loader trucks. We also run IPAF and PASMA courses for access equipment.
Because we sell, hire and service forklifts as well as training people to use them, our instructors know the equipment inside out. They also know the places our trainees go on to work, from food factories and warehouses to ports and farms across Lincolnshire.
If you would like an exact forklift licence cost for yourself or your team, view our forklift training courses or get in touch. Call us on 01472 230244 or email enquiries@bjblifttrucks.co.uk, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.