Forklift licence: the complete guide

The term "forklift licence" is ubiquitous in everyday business (also: forklift certificate or forklift diploma). However, there is no statutory forklift licence in the Netherlands; what matters is the demonstrable competence of the forklift operator. This distinction is not just a matter of language: anyone who wants to make a good impression in job adverts or in contact with authorities should know the correct terms.

The legal basis is Dutch occupational health and safety legislation (Working Conditions Act and Working Conditions Decree). The Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 (work equipment) governs the safe use of work equipment such as forklifts; the demonstrable competence of the forklift operator must be ensured by the employer.

A training certificate shows that the holder has completed recognised training, passed the associated exam and thus demonstrated the required competence to drive a forklift commercially. Without demonstrable competence, no one may drive a forklift commercially – regardless of whether it is an owned or a rented machine.

Please note: the certificate only covers use on company premises and private areas. As soon as a forklift goes onto public roads, the requirements of the Dutch Road Traffic Act 1994 and RVV 1990 also apply.

In principle, anyone who professionally operates a forklift, reach truck, high-lift truck, pedestrian stacker with platform or any other industrial truck with its own drive and 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 (Hoftrac, telehandlers in the field)

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

The employer bears the main responsibility. Under Dutch health and safety legislation, the employer must ensure that only competent and expressly designated persons drive forklifts. It is advisable to record this designation in writing and keep it available as proof within the company. An employee who drives without the required competence, and an employer who tolerates this, face a liability risk in the event of damage.

The admission requirements for the training are straightforward:

Minimum age Additional conditions apply to young people in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules. Trainees can be familiarised with operation as part of their training and under the direct supervision of an experienced driver; independent driving in the company is only permitted once the applicable conditions have been met.

Physical fitness Adequate sight and hearing are a basic requirement. Impaired vision must be corrected with glasses or contact lenses; certain medications or conditions can limit fitness to drive. An occupational health examination by the company doctor or occupational health service can be useful to establish fitness.

Prior knowledge Technical prior knowledge is not a formal requirement but considerably shortens the training time. Anyone who has already worked in logistics can 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: Dutch health and safety legislation, Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 (work equipment)

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

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

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

• Traffic rules for in-house traffic (walking speed, right of way, safety distances)

• Work instructions and designation procedure

Practical training content:

• Daily pre-use and post-use checks (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 on racking)

• Conduct in the event of accidents, technical faults and operational 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 vary by training provider.

Practical exam: a standardised practical course with set tasks (picking up a load, placing it in racking, driving crosswise, reversing, parking). Safety, precision and compliance with operating rules are assessed.

Anyone who fails the theory exam can retake it after a waiting period (depending on the provider) without having to repeat the practical exam – and vice versa.

Step 2: additional qualification for special forklifts

For certain machine types, a type-specific additional qualification is advisable:

• Side loaders

• Three-wheel forklifts with increased requirements

• Telehandlers and reach stackers (depending on the application)

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

The additional qualification builds on the completed basic training and usually takes 1–2 days.

Course costs vary considerably depending on the provider, region, course duration and number of participants. As a guide:

Format	Price range (external, individual booking)
One-day course (1 day, for experienced drivers)	150–350 €
Standard course (2 days)	250–550 €
Intensive course (2–3 days incl. exam fee)	300–600 €
In-house training (from 6–10 people)	600–1,500 € flat rate

There may also be costs for a medical examination, work equipment and travel. The employer usually covers the costs.

→ Detailed price table: Forklift licence costs

Format	Duration	Target group
One-day course	1 day	Experienced logistics staff
Standard course	2 days	Beginners, career changers
Basic + additional combined	4–5 days	Qualification for special forklifts

→ All details: How long does forklift training take?

A common misconception: the forklift licence does not expire automatically. There is no fixed statutory expiry period for the operator's competence – provided the holder remains physically fit. Some training providers do give their certificates their own period of validity.

What is advisable, however, is to repeat the briefing regularly. This responsibility lies with the employer, not the driver. The employer must continuously ensure and be able to demonstrate the driver's competence. In the event of damage, the employer and, where applicable, managers may be held liable.

→ In detail, including liability: Forklift licence validity and repeated briefings

On public roads, the in-house forklift certificate does not replace a driving licence:

Driving licence on public roads: forklifts on public roads require the required Dutch driving licence category.

Speed and trailer: which driving licence category is needed depends, among other things, on the vehicle's permitted maximum speed and on whether a trailer is towed.

Combinations and heavy vehicles: combinations or particularly heavy vehicles require a CE licence or another driving licence category required under Dutch rules.

In practice, this mainly concerns sites with crossings onto public roads, transport across public roads or loading at low-loader parking areas. For pure warehouse and hall operation, in-house competence alone is sufficient.

Is a forklift licence mandatory?

There is no statutory forklift licence, but under Dutch health and safety legislation no one may drive a forklift commercially without demonstrable competence. The employer must ensure this competence, keep proof of it and expressly designate the driver.

How old do I have to be for a forklift licence?

The minimum age for operating a forklift independently follows from applicable Dutch health and safety rules. Trainees can gain practical experience under the supervision of an experienced operator, but are only deployed independently once they meet the legal requirements.

What is the difference between a yellow and a blue forklift certificate?

This distinction goes back to older training formats in Germany and plays no role in the Netherlands. What matters is not the colour of the document, but the demonstrable competence of the forklift operator, which the employer must ensure.

Is a forklift certificate valid abroad?

A certificate from a recognised training provider can serve as proof of competence in many European countries, but there is no uniform European recognition. In the Netherlands, Dutch occupational health and safety legislation (Working Conditions Act and Working Conditions Decree) applies: the employer must ensure the demonstrable competence of the forklift operator. For cross-border work, employers should check the national requirements, for example in France (CACES R489) and Switzerland (SUVA guidelines).

Can the employer require a forklift certificate?

Yes, and he must. Under the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) and the Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 (work equipment), the employer must ensure that only competent persons operate forklifts. Whether the employer covers the training costs is a separate employment law question.

What happens if the refresher instruction was forgotten?

Regular refresher instruction is recommended so that the operator's competence remains demonstrably up to date. If it is missing, this can have adverse consequences for the company in the event of damage. The instruction can be made up, but must 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 the Netherlands. Short-term and long-term rental, available at short notice.

→ Forklift rental from Luibl Rental