10 Mistakes to Avoid When Taking a Practical Forklift Driving Test

Being able to operate a forklift is a key part of working in a warehouse. Therefore, it’s imperative that you’ve passed your forklift driving, or forklift operation, test. If you’ve only just started working there, or if you need to have already passed a forklift driving test before you start your job, then here are ten mistakes to avoid.

1. Behaving poorly while the test is in progress

This is something that could cause you to fail the test before you’ve even begun. Behaving poorly before, during or after your test is a sure way of failing it and it’ll include behaviours such as not taking it seriously, not following safety procedures when onsite or using warehouse equipment inappropriately, such as for racing. Make sure you take the test seriously throughout the process.

2. Failing to carry out pre-use inspection, including all-round vehicle safety checks

Just like when you take a car driving test, you’ll have to start off your test outside of your vehicle. The examiner will want to see you carrying out all of the relevant safety, pre-use checks on the vehicle. This is something you should have learnt how to do when studying for the theory. But just as a refresh, a pre-operation inspection will include having to check the following things:

• Hydraulic fluid
• Battery
• Tyre pressure
• Tyre condition
• Gas levels
• Vital fluid levels
• Lights
• Signals

3. Forgetting to look in the direction of travel

It’s easy for a forklift operator to forget to look in the right direction whilst the forklift is in motion. Whether you’re getting ready to turn a corner or become distracted by something else, not looking in the direction of travel could cause you to fail your test, especially if it’s a mistake you’ve made more than once. If you do need to look elsewhere, make sure you safely stop the forklift, applying the handbrake safely.

4. Not using the horn correctly

Whether you use the horn for all the wrong reasons or simply forget to use it altogether, it could cause you to fail your practical forklift driving test, especially if it’s something you do repeatedly. It’s considered to be an essential safety procedure to protect pedestrians, the operator themselves, stock and equipment. When operating a forklift, you should use the horn when:

• Turning corners
• Approaching doorways
• Coming up on a blind spot

5. Operating hydraulic controls whilst the forklift is in motion

This is, arguably, one of the biggest mistakes you can make when taking your practical forklift driving test. Even if this is done once, it will cause you to fail the test altogether. But it’s actually fairly easy to avoid doing. You need to make sure you come to a complete stop before operating any of the hydraulic forklift equipment.

Usually, the procedure is to stop, park in a safe location and always apply the handbrake. If you wish to load and unload, the forklift needs to be stationery whilst the fork arms are moving, so the handbrake needs to be on at all times whilst this is being done. However, you must always refer back to your theory study, just to be sure.

6. The fork arms are either too low or high whilst being manoeuvred

The fork arms need to be at a certain height whilst the forklift is in motion. This means that they can’t be too high or too low. If it isn’t carrying a load, then the tines need to be around 5-10cm off the ground or above the front axle. This prevents the forklift from becoming too top-heavy and tipping over. Failure to do this will result in a five-point reduction in your score, so if you do this multiple times, you’ll end up failing your practical forklift driving test completely.

7. Failing to apply the handbrake or to put the forklift in neutral

Whether you’re parking, stopping to load or unload or have finished your test, you need to make sure you’re applying the handbrake and then put the forklift in neutral, depending on the make and model you’re operating. You need to apply the handbrake whenever you’re finished manoeuvring the forklift, even if you’ve not yet completed the test. Failure to do this could cost you the forklift exam.

8. Transporting the load incorrectly

When you load and unload the forklift, you need to make sure that the stock has been lifted onto the forklift arms correctly and safely. It needs to span the width of the forks and the tilt needs to be adequate so as to prevent tip over or to mitigate the chances of you dropping the load, which is considered to be a safety hazard. The load needs to be secure and it shouldn’t be done too quickly, likewise when unloading.

9. Not knowing the weight capacity of the forklift being used

You need to know the weight and lift capacity of the forklift you’re going to be operating. It might be that you’ll be able to check this sort of information prior to taking your test, or you could request to take a look at the manual. However, you should have been told what the weight and lift capacity of the forklift is before taking your practical forklift driving test.

Make sure you remember the figures so you don’t exceed its capacity in any way, which also includes the height limit it can reach. If you go beyond the capacity of the forklift, it could damage the machine or cause harm to others, which is why it could cause you to fail your forklift exam.

10. Executing parking procedures poorly

You need to make sure you’re parking the forklift properly, which also includes applying the handbrake and putting the forklift in neutral when you’re done. You also need to make sure the forks are lowered to the point where they touch the ground and all controls need to be turned off. You should also look for blind spots when parking the forklift, checking and looking out for pedestrians. Once you have finished, apply the handbrake, turn the keys to the off position and block the wheels so the forklift can’t simply roll away in any direction.

Multy Lift has over thirty years’ of experience in the material handling industry, supplying customers throughout the UK with high-calibre warehouse equipment that’ll stand the test of time. No matter what you need, our specialist team will have you covered, from forklifts to industrial cleaning equipment. For more information, get in touch with a member of our specialist team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.