How to Become a Forklift Driver

September 19, 2024

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Become a Forklift Driver

What Are the Main Types of Forklift Drivers?

To become a forklift driver, you must complete training, get certified and gain experience using a forklift. Forklift drivers or operators steer a forklift and other industrial trucks designed to lift, move, stack and unstack industrial materials like boxes, crates or pallets in warehouses, factories and construction sites.

Depending on the type of forklifts they use and the industry they work in, forklift drivers may have different specialisations. These are the major categories:

  • Counterbalance Forklift Driver: This is the most common type of forklift driver. A counterbalance forklift is a machine weighed at the back to counterbalance the load placed at the front. Counterbalanced forklift drivers work in warehouses, loading bays, and retail distribution centres.
  • Reach Truck Driver: A reach truck driver operates a forklift in a narrow aisle environment, commonly found in large warehouses. The reach truck allows the operator to extend the forklift’s forks to reach items on high shelves. It is also used in high-density storage environments.
  • Side Loader Forklift Driver: Side loader forklift operators use side-loading forklifts in industries that frequently handle long bulky items, such as timber, steel or piping.
  • Telehandler Operator: A telehandler drives a forklift with an extendable arm, like a crane. This equipment is perfect for construction sites as it can lift materials to a great height and is often used to load construction materials to higher building floors.
  • Pallet Truck Operator: They use smaller forklifts that are hand-controlled. They are called pallet jacks or pallet trucks and are used to move pallets in smaller warehouses, retail outlets or distribution centres where large lifting equipment is not needed.
  • VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) Forklift Driver: A VNA forklift driver drives a forklift truck that is designed to work in narrow aisles in warehouses. Often, the forks of these forklifts rotate so that the person operating the machine does not have to turn the forklift in order to get at materials, which is particularly useful in a tight space.
  • Rough Terrain Forklift Driver: These operators use forklifts designed for outdoor use on uneven or rough terrain, such as those on a construction site or a farm. The forklifts have large, tough tyres.
  • Heavy-Duty Forklift Driver: Heavy-duty forklift operators work with forklifts designed to lift heavy or bulky items, perhaps used in large warehouses or industrial environments with shipping, manufacturing or construction activities. The machines might be used to move heavy machinery or oversized shipping pallets.

Become a Forklift Driver

What Does a Forklift Driver Do?

Forklift drivers are a critical part of industrial and warehouse operations. They ensure that stock and materials are moved around the operation safely and effectively.

Their responsibilities depend on the type of forklift they are operating and the industry they are working in. However, here is an overview of what a forklift driver typically does.

  • Drive Forklifts to Transport Goods: The primary duty of a forklift driver is to drive forklifts to move materials, products or equipment from one place to another. This can be done by loading and unloading trucks, stacking goods in warehouses, or moving materials within a factory or construction site.
  • Inspect and Maintain Forklifts: For a forklift operator, looking after their equipment involves performing daily inspections to check fluid levels, tyre pressure, and if the brakes are working correctly. Any mechanical problems must be reported to the supervisor as soon as possible, and the forklift must be safe to drive.
  • Load and Unload Goods: Forklift drivers usually load and unload goods from trucks, ships, or storage areas. They need to control their fork goods and equipment to ensure that materials can be safely and properly handled.
  • Move Materials Safely: A forklift driver transports material from one place to another in a warehouse, factory or construction site. They must know the layout of the worksite and the location of other workers and machines in the workplace to prevent accidents.
  • Stack and Store Goods: Forklift drivers work in warehouses transporting materials to and from storage areas or loading docks. Drivers using a pallet stacker will raise a forklift pallet to a high shelf or rack in the storage area, placing the goods into the pallet rack for storage. Forklift operators work to stack materials securely and in a manner that maximises storage space.
  • For instance, Health and Safety Regulations: Forklift drivers must wear the correct PPE and follow the site-specific rules regarding forklift usage, such as speed limits or designated routes.
  • Documentation: Forklift drivers are often required to complete paperwork about goods being moved – writing down the freight being loaded, completing delivery notes, or keeping up with forklift servicing and inspection records.
  • Work With Warehouse Staff: Forklift drivers commonly work alongside other warehouse staff, supervisors, and logistics teams to coordinate the movement of goods. They must communicate with these individuals to ensure that goods are moved promptly and securely.

Become a Forklift Driver

Average Forklift Driver Salary

The average salary of a forklift driver in the UK varies depending on their experience, the type of forklift they drive, and the industry they are a part of. Typically, forklift drivers working in high-demand industries or specialised roles get higher pay. Here is a general overview of the average salaries of a forklift driver:

  • Beginner Forklift Driver: Beginner forklift drivers make between £18,000 and £22,000 a year. They might be newly certified forklift drivers with limited industrial forklift operating experience.
  • Mid-Level Forklift Driver: After a few years of experience, forklift drivers can earn between £22,000 and £28,000 per year. Mid-level drivers might be expected to handle more difficult jobs such as driving speciality forklifts or coordinating the transport of hazardous materials.
  • Senior forklift driver: A senior forklift driver with significant years of experience or specialised skills and experience (e.g., driving a telehandler or heavy-duty forklift truck) can expect to earn between £28,000 and £35,000 per year. Senior drivers could train new drivers or supervise material handling operations.
  • Forklift Driver with Overtime: Many forklift drivers earn money through overtime. In some industries, such as construction and manufacturing, the demand for labour can be high during specific periods, and forklift drivers will often earn a large amount of overtime pay, bringing their annual earnings to £35,000 or even more.
  • Bonuses: Forklift drivers often receive a bonus or premium for working in a hazardous environment or with specialised equipment. Perks: Company-provided PPE, training opportunities, and health benefits are standard perks in this field.

Forklift Driver Skills

To become a professional forklift driver, a person must not only have technical abilities but also be able to pay attention to small details and, above all, treat safety as an essential priority. Forklift drivers must be able to use heavy machinery safely and navigate in busy workplaces. These are the primary skills necessary to become a forklift driver:

  • Forklift Operation Skills: You will be required to operate different types of forklift trucks safely and accurately, manoeuvring in narrow aisles, stacking on racks and reaching trucks.
  • Safety: First and foremost, a forklift operator must adhere to safety guidelines, including wearing the correct personal protective equipment and paying constant attention to their surroundings while driving the forklift to avoid accidents. Knowledge of the weight limits of the forklift, how to stack the load on the forklift properly, and how to ensure that the load is stable while in transit are all essential skills for avoiding workplace injury.
  • Manual dexterity: Operating a forklift requires good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to manage the controls and safely handle objects properly. Precise movements are necessary when operating in tight spaces or lifting heavy loads.
  • Communication Skills: Many forklift drivers work as part of a team, so they must communicate with other warehouse staff, supervisors and drivers. Good communication skills make it easier for goods to move quickly and safely.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Forklift drivers must think on their feet and solve problems as they arise. For example, they might need to manoeuvre around obstacles, figure out how to deal with equipment malfunctions or think of alternative ways to transport merchandise.
  • Physical stamina: Forklift operators work long periods on their feet or while seated in the forklift. They might even have to lift or unload materials by hand, so they need a lot of physical stamina.
  • Paying attention to detail: Forklift operators need to pay attention to detail, such as making sure that the load is adequately secured, that they are stacking the load correctly, and completing the paperwork accurately.
  • Basic Mechanical Knowledge: Forklift drivers will be more effective if they understand how their forklift works – not necessarily all the ins and outs, but how to carry out routine checks and minor maintenance tasks. They will then be more likely to take action if they notice the forklift has become less responsive after routine use.

Become a Forklift Driver

Forklift Driver Tips

Practical tips for the young forklift drivers who aim to make it big in the world of material handling:

  • Get Forklift Certified: If you’re in the UK, you’ll need forklift certification to be a forklift driver. Find a forklift certification course that RTITB or ITSSAR accredits that will teach you the proper form and techniques to use a forklift safely and efficiently.
  • Practice makes perfect: Forklift operation is a skill that takes practice. While those who are new to the skill may want to look at entry-level positions or internships to practise their skills before working on the job, those who are not skilled should consider practising or training so that they can get confident with the forklift.
  • Stay Updated With Health And Safety Protocols: Forklift safety standards and rules are subject to change over time. Keep yourself up to date with the latest health and safety standards to ensure you are operating forklifts according to industry standards.
  • Be Physically Fit: Driving a forklift requires working with your body, so be physically fit and ready to work. Keep yourself active and healthy enough to handle long shifts and the job’s physical demands.
  • Go Back for More Training: As you gain more experience, you can add other training certifications to your existing ones. For example, if you’ve learned how to operate a pallet-jack forklift, you can also become certified to operate counterbalance, reach, and telescopic forklifts. Your skills can expand to include dangerous goods certifications or qualifications to operate telehandlers, rough terrain forklifts, or heavy-duty equipment.
  • Make Safety a Priority: Employers appreciate forklift operators who are safety-minded. A clean safety record demonstrates that you are dependable and trustworthy, which could result in a promotion or the chance to move up to a more advanced position.
  • Keep Your Forklift Certified: A forklift certification has to be renewed every few years, so make sure you keep up with renewal requirements. Refresher courses and re-certification programs will keep you qualified.
  • Learn Warehouse Management Systems: Many warehouses have a digital infrastructure that manages inventory and logistics. Familiarising yourself with these systems can help your skills and make you more valuable as a team member, especially in modern, computerised warehouses.
  • Network with Industry Professionals: Meeting other professionals in your industry can help you learn about job opportunities, receive mentorship and stay updated on industry trends. Try to attend training sessions or join an industry-related group to make connections.

Forklift Driver Requirements

Getting a job on a forklift in the UK might seem simple, but training, certification, and experience factors are still involved. Here’s a quick overview of the standard requirements:

  • Training Course: To begin with, you need to complete a forklift training course, which will be accredited by one of the principal accrediting bodies such as RTITB, ITSSAR or NPORS. It will teach you the basic skills and safety requirements for the job.
  • Forklift Certification: Once you complete the training course, you will be certified to drive a forklift. In the UK, it’s a legal requirement for any forklift driver to have a certification that must be renewed every few years to stay compliant.
  • Physical Fitness: Forklift driving calls for reasonable coordination, strength and stamina, and employers will often give you a basic physical exam before you start work to check that you are fit to do the job.
  • Good Communication Skills: Forklift operators must interact with other workers, particularly supervisors and other forklift operators in the warehouse. Good communication skills, therefore, ensure an efficient workflow and reduce the risk of accidents.
  • Clean Record: Many employers will use the information on your licence as a filter and won’t even consider you if your record is not 100 per cent – so be sure to demonstrate that you pay attention to health and safety and handle machinery responsibly.
  • Driving Licence: Although not always necessary, a UK driving licence can be helpful if your job requires transporting goods between locations or operating forklifts outside.

How to Become a Forklift Driver

To become a forklift driver, you must complete training, get certified and gain experience using a forklift. Here, you can find step-by-step instructions to help you become a forklift driver: 

  • Take a Forklift Training Course: Forklift training courses are accredited by RTITB, ITSSAR (Industrial Training Services Southern Area Register) or other accredited organisations that teach you how to use a forklift, lift loads and move around warehouses safely. The course usually involves a theoretical and practical element.
  • Earn Your Forklift Certification: Upon completing the course, you’ll receive a certification allowing you to operate a forklift. Keep your certification updated by renewing it when necessary, typically every three to five years.
  • Start on the Bottom: Apply for entry-level forklift driver positions once certified. You can start in a warehouse, on a construction site, at a retail distribution centre or on a factory floor. Many employers will hire new drivers fresh from getting certified for junior positions.
  • Get as Much Hands-On Experience as Possible: In the early stages of your job as a forklift driver, try to get as much hands-on experience as possible. The more you work and use different types of forklifts, the more skilled and comfortable you will become with them, giving you a better chance of progressing in your career.
  • Follow Health and Safety Regulations: The most important tip is to follow health and safety regulations, always wear the correct PPE, and concentrate on your task. A good safety record will open up more career opportunities for you and possibly lead to other jobs.
  • Specialise: As you gain experience, think about specialising. For example, you might decide to take additional training to allow you to operate reach trucks, telehandlers, or heavy-duty forklifts. Specialising will give you more options to increase your earnings and obtain more senior and technical positions.
  • Continuing Professional Development: You should keep updated on the latest forklift developments, requirements, safety regulations, and technological and social trends by attending refresher courses or additional training sessions. This will keep you competitive in the job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Become a Forklift Driver?

By becoming a forklift driver, you can work in several industries, such as warehousing, construction and manufacturing. It’s a physically active job with a good salary and the possibility to further a career through occupational training and experience.

Is Being a Forklift Driver a Good Career Choice for You?

If you like operating machinery, working with your hands, and enjoying a job constantly on the move, you will enjoy being a forklift driver. It’s also suited to detail-oriented, safety-conscious and physically fit people.

Forklift Driver Salaries

How much does a forklift driver earn in the UK? It depends on the forklift driver’s experience, qualification, working area, or industry. Entry-level forklift drivers can get £18,000-£22,000 per annum. The experienced or specialised forklift truck driver can get £28,000 – £35,000 or more with overtime and bonuses.

Which Qualifications Can Help with a Career as a Forklift Driver?

To become a forklift operator, you must take a soft operation, after which you must pass an accredited training course and become certified. You might be able to increase your employment prospects if you learn to drive a specific type of forklift or if you enrol in other training courses that cover particular safety and health issues.

Do I Need to Be an Experienced Forklift Driver to Get Started?

You can only complete a forklift certification course, which allows you to drive forklifts even with prior experience, and many employers will hire newly certified drivers and provide on-the-job training to gain experience.

Forklift Driver Career Outlook

The UK forklift driver continues to be in demand in sectors such as construction, warehousing and manufacturing as the need for material handling and warehousing operations grows with the rise of e-commerce and logistics.

Forklift Driver Hierarchy and Progressing Within the Role

Employees often start at the bottom and move from entry-level jobs to more senior roles. For example, operators can specialise in using a specific type of forklift, such as telehandlers or heavy-duty forklifts, or they can adopt supervisory roles that pay better than the initial entry-level positions.

Forklift Driver Exit Options and Opportunities

Forklift drivers can move into supervisory or managerial positions in the warehousing and logistics sector, such as warehouse supervisors, inventory managers or transport coordinators. Some drivers may also shift into training roles, certifying new forklift drivers.

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