To become a forklift driver in the UK you need accredited, up to date forklift training and a certificate of basic training for the specific truck you will operate, and it helps to show employers a handful of practical, physical and personal qualities alongside it. Forklift jobs are available across a wide range of industries and, once you meet the forklift job requirements, you will find this a rewarding and flexible career option that could take you across the country and even around the world if you wanted it to. If you are wondering about how to become a forklift driver, we have a few top tips for you below.
TL;DR
- Training is the one non-negotiable requirement. You need accredited forklift training and a certificate of basic training for the specific truck type before an employer will let you operate it.
- Formal academic qualifications are usually not required, but basic numeracy, a good level of written English and sometimes a valid driving licence help you meet employer expectations.
- Personal qualities matter if you have no experience: teamwork, alertness, composure under pressure and the flexibility to pick up other machinery all make you more employable.
- The work is physical. Expect to lift and carry loads, stand or sit for long periods, work in varied temperatures and rely on good eyesight, corrected if needed.
- Training is truck-specific. A certificate on one truck type does not cover another, so conversion training is needed to move between categories.
- AFTT is an AITT-accredited training provider offering courses at your company location or at our training centre in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
What do forklift jobs entail?
Forklift drivers control industrial trucks that are designed to carry and position heavy loads safely and accurately. Typical tasks for forklift jobs include:
- Moving loads between storage areas
- Packing cargo into transport facilities
- Safely stacking loads
- Daily safety checks and maintenance tasks
Forklift or fork trucks have a hydraulic lifting mechanism, and forklift drivers need to understand how to move and manipulate this safely in order to complete required tasks. Forklift work can be inside, typically in warehouses, or outside, for example on a dockyard. A fair amount of forklift work is shift based, which means that forklift jobs can be required around the clock. Because the role sits at the centre of goods inwards, storage and dispatch, a reliable driver who works safely and keeps loads moving is genuinely valued by employers.
Are academic qualifications part of the forklift job requirements?
No, formal academic qualifications are not usually part of the forklift job requirements, but there are certain competencies employers tend to look for. These include:
- Some mathematical ability, because numerical skills help with load capacity calculation, understanding load angles and working out safe load heights
- Good written English skills, because a good level of English helps with loading instructions, safety information, specific forklift training and picking orders
- A valid driving licence, which some employers require as a minimum forklift job requirement for all their employees
If you have the above skills, you will be well placed to cope with any forklift job specific training that guidelines and your new employer deem necessary. None of these replace formal forklift training, but together they make you an easier candidate to hire and quicker to sign off once training is complete.
Which personal skills help with how to become a forklift driver?
If you have no previous experience of forklift work, the personal skills you can demonstrate become your strongest selling point. The ones that matter most are:
- Teamwork, because forklift work is all about facilitating a team goal. You will work with other forklift drivers, stock pickers and transport drivers to achieve it
- Alertness, because forklift safety is largely about keeping alert and watching what is going on around you. Each forklift job you do will present its own hazards, and it is up to you to spot and avoid them
- Composure, because warehouses and storage facilities can be busy places, which means forklift drivers need patience and a level head when things get pressured
- Flexibility, because if you find a forklift job in construction or manufacturing you may be required to use other machinery besides forklifts. Developing the ability to transfer your skills makes you more employable and benefits your career progression
When you apply, give real examples of these qualities from any previous role, even outside logistics, so an employer can see how you would behave on a busy site.
What are the physical demands of forklift jobs?
Forklift jobs are physically demanding, so being fit enough to lift, carry and stay focused for a full shift is a genuine forklift job requirement. Any job that involves large machinery and heavy loads has the potential to be hazardous, and understanding those hazards is an important part of the role. As well as operating equipment, a forklift driver can expect to deal with hand-held, heavy objects and to work in awkward positions. Typical physical forklift job requirements include:
- The ability to safely lift and carry loads
- A good sense of balance
- The ability to work in different temperatures and weather conditions
- The ability to stand for long periods of time
- The ability to sit in one position for long periods of time
- Good eyesight, with glasses or contact lenses if necessary
Good forklift training covers safe lifting technique and hazard awareness, so proper instruction protects both you and the people working around you.
What is the best advice on how to become a forklift driver?
The single best move is to complete specific forklift training, then build the surrounding experience that makes you stand out. The most important forklift job requirement is that training, but there are other things you can do to make yourself more attractive to a potential employer. Working in a warehousing or logistics setting, even in a non-driving role to begin with, gives you a good idea of how goods inwards, picking, packing and dispatch systems work, and lets you talk with knowledge at the interview.
Is a forklift certificate one of the forklift job requirements?
Yes, a forklift certificate is effectively a core requirement, because employers must be able to prove that anyone operating a truck has been properly trained. Whether you are an experienced forklift driver or not, you will need up to date, formal training before you can take a required forklift certification exam. For background on how the machine and the industry developed, see our history of the forklift. Forklift training includes the following aspects:
- Forklift theory, covering forklift design, the basics of forklift mechanics and the physics that govern the safe lifting of heavy loads
- Practical skills, delivered as hands-on training in a safe, simulated real-world situation
- Forklift safety, including hazard avoidance, workforce protection and equipment inspections
The good news about training for forklift jobs is that it is readily available and affordable in a variety of packages, either at your location or at our training centre in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
Which forklift training route is right for you?
Choose your training route by how much experience you already have, because the content and focus differ. The table below compares the main routes so you can see which one fits your situation.
| Route | Who it suits | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| Novice | New drivers with little or no forklift experience | Full theory, practical skills and safety from the ground up |
| Experienced | Drivers who have operated before but need current certification | Refining technique and bringing training and paperwork up to date |
| Conversion | Certified drivers moving to a different truck type | The handling differences and safety points of the new machine |
| Refresher | Drivers whose training needs renewing or after an incident or long break | Reinforcing safe practice and correcting bad habits |
Whichever route applies, the certificate you earn relates to the specific truck type you trained on, so plan your training around the machines you expect to use at work.
What training is available to help me become a forklift driver?
A full range of accredited courses is available, covering different truck types and progression into supervisory and instructor roles. Forklift training in the UK can be accredited by the AITT (the Association of Industrial Truck Trainers). At AFTT (Advanced Fork Truck Training) we are an AITT-accredited training provider and offer a full range of AITT accredited courses, either at your company location or at our state of the art training centre, for anybody who wants to find out how to become a forklift truck driver. These include:
- A wide range of fork truck courses including counterbalance trucks, side loaders, container handlers, tow tractors and pivot steer trucks
- Manager and supervisor courses including lift truck safety awareness and manager safety awareness
- Instructor courses including method of instruction and an AITT accredited instructor course
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a licence to drive a forklift in the UK?
There is no government-issued forklift licence in the same way there is for driving on the road. Instead, employers are responsible for ensuring operators are adequately trained and competent, and this is proven through a certificate of basic training from accredited instruction. In practice, that certificate is what employers ask to see.
What qualifications do you need to become a forklift driver?
The essential qualification is accredited forklift training with a certificate for the specific truck type you will operate. Formal academic qualifications are usually not required, although basic numeracy and a good level of written English help. Some employers also ask for a valid driving licence.
How do you get forklift training with no experience?
You can start as a complete novice, because novice courses are designed to teach theory, practical handling and safety from the ground up. You do not need prior forklift experience to enrol. Demonstrating personal qualities such as teamwork, alertness and composure will also help you secure work afterwards.
Is a forklift certificate the same for every type of truck?
No. A certificate relates to the specific truck category you trained on, such as counterbalance or reach, so it does not automatically cover other types. To operate a different truck you would take conversion training. This keeps operators competent on the exact machines they use.
What does forklift training cover?
Forklift training covers theory, practical skills and safety. Theory includes forklift design, basic mechanics and the physics of lifting heavy loads safely. Practical training is delivered in a safe, simulated real-world setting, and the safety element covers hazard avoidance, workforce protection and equipment inspections.
Are forklift jobs physically demanding?
Yes, forklift jobs are physically demanding. Drivers may need to lift and carry loads, work in different temperatures, and stand or sit in one position for long periods. Good balance and good eyesight, corrected with glasses or contacts if needed, are also important.
Where can you work as a forklift driver?
Forklift drivers work across many industries, including warehousing, logistics, construction, manufacturing and dockyards. The work can be indoors or outdoors and is often shift based, which means jobs can be available around the clock. Because the skills are transferable, a forklift certificate can open opportunities across the country and even abroad.
Does AFTT offer forklift training at our own site?
Yes. AFTT can deliver AITT accredited training either at your company location or at our training centre in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. Training staff on site can be convenient because operators learn on familiar ground. You can contact us for a free, no-obligation quote for your training needs.
What personal skills make a good forklift driver?
The most valuable personal skills are teamwork, alertness, composure under pressure and flexibility. Teamwork matters because forklift work supports a wider goal shared with pickers and transport drivers. Alertness and composure keep you and others safe on busy sites, while flexibility with other machinery improves your career prospects.
How do you become more employable as a forklift driver?
Beyond completing accredited training, gaining experience in a warehousing or logistics setting helps a great deal. Understanding how goods inwards, picking, packing and dispatch work lets you speak knowledgeably at interview. Being willing to learn other machinery and showing strong safety awareness also make you a stronger candidate.
For anyone considering becoming a forklift driver, it is important to remember that, although this can be a satisfying and adaptable career, forklift job requirements include regular, specific training, which can only be given by an organisation accredited with one of the UK’s ABA (Accrediting Body Association for workplace transport) approved providers. At AFTT we offer professional forklift training suitable for those looking into how to become a forklift driver. Get in touch with us today to find out more and obtain a free, no-obligation quote for your training needs.
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