Can I Drive a Forklift On a Public Road?

Where forklifts are required at a different premises separated by a short public road, or goods need transporting between them, the question of whether forklifts can be driven on public roads arises.

While not common practice, driving forklifts on public roads is certainly possible, provided the correct legislation is followed.

Need to take a forklift on a public road? Here’s everything you need to know to do it safely and legally.

What makes a forklift legal to drive on the road?

A forklift can only be driven on the road if it meets the correct requirements and conforms, absolutely, with the most current, up to date government legislation. If you fail to meet any of those guidelines, then you could be landed with a hefty fine. 

In order to make sure your forklift is road-worthy, you will need all of the following things:

• Evidence of the vehicle’s age or a certificate of newness
• A certificate of insurance
• A valid test certificate
• Type approval
• A Notification of vehicle arrivals (more so for imported vehicles)
• A copy of your driving licence

Unlike standard motor vehicles, you don’t require an MOT, but instead, must make sure your forklift has undergone a Thorough Examination. This is required anyway under health and safety regulations. 

You must make sure that the vehicle is registered with the DVLA. It must also be taxed and insured, as the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 specifies.

Using a forklift on a public roads safely

There are many precautions that are required as a part of driving a forklift on a public road safely.

Speed

Forklifts generally travel around 10-20 mph. When driving forklifts on roads, you should obey the local speed restrictions, and be mindful of your speed while travelling and your stopping times, particularly when transporting heavy loads.

Lighting 

You must also make sure that the road is well lit and that the forklift comes with a beacon of light overhead that flashes when in motion, but only if the forklift is travelling at a speed that does not exceed 25mph.

Training

The forklift operator must have also passed a forklift training course, be competent in the act of driving a forklift and hold a full UK driving licence. There might also be some age restrictions on the driver depending on the weight that the forklift is carrying and the insurance policy taken out.

How to register your forklift for road use

Your forklift has to be registered in order to legally be driven on public roads. To do this, you’ll need to request a V55/5 form online from the DVLA, which they will then post to you. 

Once received, you’ll need to fill out all the details and post it back for approval. You will also need to send some key documentation, including:

• A certificate of insurance
• A test certificate
• A NOVA form
• A copy of the forklift operator’s driving licence
  
  

The paperwork you need to send will vary depending on the type of forklift you wish to take out on the roads and its lifting and loading capacity. This is the sort of information that you will need to give in the forms the DVLA sends you.

If you miss anything or if you fail to post a key document, the DVLA will inform you and you will have another chance to send it. 

The costs of using a forklift of public roads

On average, it costs between £400 to £1,500 to set a forklift up for road use. Factors that make use cost include:

Insurance

Forklift insurance doesn’t automatically cover road use. You’ll likely need to take out a separate cover once your forklift has been registered.

Road legal modifications

Most forklifts aren’t built with road use in mind, so you may need to fit extras like indicators, mirrors, and a horn, as well as a number plate.

Thorough examination

A Thorough Examination is a legal requirement regardless of road use, and should be carried out every 12 months. So if this is due soon, you’ll need to factor in the cost.

Registration and tax

There is a cost to registering your vehicle with the DVLA. You may also have to pay tax under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, unless it weighs under 3500kg and needs to travel under 1,000 yards.

Forklift experts, here to help

Here at Multy Lift, we offer a wide range of forklifts for sale, as well as the expert support to back it up. Whether you need new machines, modifications, maintenance, servicing, or a thorough inspection to help get your forklifts ready for the road, we’ve got you covered.

To learn more about how we can help, get in touch with us today. As one of the UK’s leading forklift dealers, you can count on our experts to support your fleet.