Forklift licence: the complete guide

The term "forklift licence" is everywhere in day-to-day operations - the correct name, however, is forklift operator licence, which certifies operator competence. This clarification is not just about wording: anyone who wants to make a good impression in job adverts or in dealings with authorities should know the official name.

The legal basis is Act No. 124/2006 Coll. on occupational safety and health and Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll. (work equipment), which set out the employer's duties when operating work equipment. Forklift drivers need a forklift operator licence (Decree No. 356/2007 Coll.), issued by an authorised training provider; authorisation is given by the employer.

The licence certifies that the holder has completed recognised training, passed the associated examination and thus met the minimum qualification for operating a forklift commercially. Without this proof, operating a forklift in a work environment is prohibited - regardless of whether the machine is owned or rented.

Please note: the licence applies exclusively to operation on company premises and private traffic areas. As soon as a forklift drives on public roads, the requirements of Act No. 8/2009 Coll. on road traffic also apply.

In principle, anyone who operates a forklift, reach truck, high-lift pallet truck, pedestrian stacker with operator platform or any other powered industrial truck with a lifting function as part of their job. This applies to:

• warehouse and logistics staff in industry, retail and e-commerce

• machine operators on sites using 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 Act No. 124/2006 Coll. and Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll., the employer must ensure that only qualified and expressly authorised persons operate forklifts. The authorisation - written form is recommended - should be verifiably available in the company. An employee who drives without a valid forklift operator licence, and an employer who tolerates this, risk liability in the event of damage.

The admission requirements for training are clear:

Minimum age: 18 years A special arrangement may apply to apprentices: as part of their vocational training and under the direct supervision of an experienced driver, they may become familiar with the machine before the age of 18. Independent operation in the company remains prohibited until they come of age.

Medical fitness Adequate sight and hearing are a basic requirement. Visual impairments must be corrected with glasses or lenses; certain medications or illnesses can limit fitness to drive. An assessment of medical fitness for work by an occupational health service doctor is recommended. The assessment usually includes a sight and hearing test, a reaction test and a general assessment of health. Employers who cover the training costs usually require it in advance.

Previous knowledge Technical knowledge is not a formal requirement, but it shortens training considerably. Those who have already worked in logistics often manage with a one-day course.

Stage 1: theory and practice

Training is divided into a theoretical and a practical part, which are usually completed together.

Theoretical content:

• Legal basis: Act No. 124/2006 Coll., Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll., applicable Slovak safety rules

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

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

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

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

• Operating instructions and authorisation procedure

Practical content:

• Daily pre-use and post-use check (visual inspection, fluid level 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, unloading, high stacking in racking)

• Conduct in the event of accidents, technical faults and operational interruptions

The examination

Training ends with a two-part final examination:

Theory examination: usually 25-30 multiple-choice questions on regulations, technology and operational safety. The pass mark is 70-80% of the questions, depending on the provider.

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

Anyone who fails the theory examination can retake it after a waiting period (1-4 weeks depending on the provider) without having to repeat the practical examination - and vice versa.

Stage 2: additional qualification for special forklifts

For certain truck types, an additional type-specific qualification (stage 2) is required:

• Side loaders

• Three-wheel forklifts with increased requirements

• Telehandlers and reach stackers (depending on the application)

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

The additional qualification requires successful completion of stage 1 and usually takes 1-2 days.

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

Format	Price range (external, individual booking)
One-day course (1 day, for experienced operators)	€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

Additional costs may include the medical fitness assessment, 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
Stage 1 + 2 combined	4-5 days	Special forklift qualification

-> All details: How long does it take to get a forklift licence?

A common misconception: the forklift licence does not expire. The forklift operator licence (Act No. 124/2006 Coll., Decree No. 356/2007 Coll.) is in principle valid indefinitely - provided the holder remains medically fit and completes refresher training within 5 years.

What must be repeated regularly, however, is the operator's safety briefing under Section 7 of Act No. 124/2006 Coll. This responsibility lies with the employer, not the driver. Without an up-to-date safety briefing, the company should not continue to deploy the driver. In the event of damage, the employer and possibly managers may be held liable.

-> In detail, including liability consequences: Forklift licence validity and regular refresher training

On public roads, the on-site operator licence does not replace a driving licence:

Driving licence: to drive a forklift on public roads, the required Slovak driving licence category is needed (Act No. 8/2009 Coll. on road traffic).

Category B licence: where Slovak rules require it for the vehicle type, for example when towing trailers.

Category CE licence: for combined vehicle combinations or particularly heavy vehicles; otherwise the required Slovak driving licence category.

In practice, this mainly concerns sites with crossings over public roads, transfers along public roads or loading on low-loader parking areas. In pure warehouse and hall operation, the forklift operator licence alone is sufficient.

Is a forklift licence mandatory?

Yes. Under Act No. 124/2006 Coll. and Decree No. 356/2007 Coll., nobody may operate a forklift commercially without a valid forklift operator licence. The employer is obliged to request and file the proof and to authorise the operator.

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

The minimum age is 18. Apprentices may gain practical experience earlier under the supervision of an experienced driver, but may only be independently authorised once they come of age.

What is the difference between the yellow and blue forklift licence?

This distinction goes back to older training formats in Germany. In Slovakia, what matters for authorisation is not the colour of the document but a valid forklift operator licence (Act No. 124/2006 Coll., Decree No. 356/2007 Coll.).

Is a Slovak forklift licence valid abroad?

This must be assessed case by case. For cross-border assignments, employers should check the national requirements of the country concerned - especially in France (CACES R489), the Netherlands (VCA/arbowet) and Switzerland (SUVA guidelines).

Can the employer require a forklift licence?

Yes, and they must. Under Act No. 124/2006 Coll. and Government Regulation No. 392/2006 Coll., the employer must ensure that only qualified persons operate industrial trucks. Whether the employer covers the training costs is a separate question for the employment contract.

What happens if refresher training has been forgotten?

Without the regular safety briefing under Section 7 of Act No. 124/2006 Coll., the operator should not continue to drive a forklift. In the event of damage, this can have serious consequences for the company. The briefing 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 Slovakia. Short-term and long-term rental, promptly arranged to suit your needs.

-> Rent forklifts from Luibl Rental