Do Forklift Licences Expire?

If you have a forklift licence, then you might be wondering when it will expire, if ever. This is especially the case if it’s your first forklift licence. A seasoned forklift owner will have far more experience when it comes to this, but if you’ve only just started, then it’s a worthwhile question to be asking and we’ll be telling you everything there is to know about them.

How long do forklift licences last?

This will depend on when you first received your forklift licence. But usually, this is proof that you’re qualified and trained to safely operate a forklift, much like when driving a car. You will be notified of the licence’s impending expiration six months beforehand, which should give you enough time to prepare adequately for its renewal.

Usually, forklift operators are asked to attend a refresher training course and regular evaluations will be made on the run up to the expiry of the forklift licence. This is to ensure that you’re still competent when it comes to the operation of the forklift, for the safety of yourselves and pedestrians on the ground. If you have any questions, make sure you ask your manager for more information.

Everything you need to know about renewing a forklift licence

If you want to continue to operate a forklift, or if you need it in order to carry on doing your job, then it’s important your forklift licence is renewed. It’s also imperative that you have the right licence in place or you could face a fine of between £5,000 and as much as £50,000.

Usually, in a bid to mitigate the penalty fee, forklift owners will renew their forklift licence before it’s due to expire, by as much as a few weeks to ensure it overlaps. Thousands of pounds in fines could cripple a business, so warehouse owners will, naturally, do everything they can to avoid such financial blows. So here’s everything you need to know about renewing your forklift licence:

How to renew your forklift licence

The renewal of your forklift licence will depend on the training you receive. You need to go on a refresher course to be able to renew your licence – the two go hand-in-hand. If it is the responsibility of the employee to seek their own training, then this can be done easily via the internet. However, most of the time, it’s down to the employer to enrol their employees on the right training courses. Training can be done onsite or elsewhere, but it is needed before the licence can be renewed.

How much does it cost to renew your forklift licence?

The cost of a forklift licence renewal varies, especially when you consider how much the refresher course will be. The training course alone could cost anywhere between £200-£350, depending on its complexity. However, the refresher training course doesn’t cost as much as a novice one, so keep that in mind when considering renewing your forklift licence. But you should keep in mind that not holding one could cause you financial stress and you will not be allowed to operate a forklift without one.

How long does it take to renew a forklift licence?

This depends on how long you have before the licence expires and how long the refresher training is going to take. Once the course has been undertaken, a licence can be renewed and this could be done in just a matter of days. Then you won’t have to worry about doing it again for a while, or at least until the forklift licence comes up for expiry again. Sometimes, this could be as much as three years.

Multy Lift has over thirty years of material handling knowledge and expertise to draw upon, providing a wide range of companies and sectors throughout the UK with high-quality, robust pieces of warehouse equipment. From forklifts and reach trucks to pallet trucks and order pickers, there will always be an option available that’ll meet your requirements and exceed your expectations. For further information about how we can help you today, get in touch with a member of our expert team – we’re always pleased to hear from you.