There are two options for practical assessments:

1) If you're a supervisor of forklift operators, or you're employed by a company as a forklift operator, the practical assessment can be done in-house by following the detailed checklist and video guide supplied in the course. It creates a valid 3-year operator certificate plus ID card that you can download (more is explained in the FAQ section below). There's no extra cost for this.

2) If you are an individual (either new operator or refresher), TR Driver Training can do a practical assessment for $100+GST at one of their 10 branches (Auckland, Hamilton, Mt Maunganui, Hastings, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin). You book and pay for this after you have finished the online theory. 

• New forklift operators who need a resource they can refer to repeatedly while they learn
• Experienced forklift operators needing to renew their 3-year forklift licence
• Supervisors wanting to understand how to monitor their forklift drivers

• Trainees get an operator's certificate plus a printable ID card valid for 3 years
• Operators get full access to all training materials for 12 months. These include videos in every module plus a downloadable load plate cheat sheet
• Comprehensive practical assessment checklist and overview video
• The account holder can add managers at no extra cost
• Managers can download detailed reports, plus track and manage operators
• Managers can generate certificates on completion of the course
• The account holder receives a monthly email with forklift tips and tricks.
• Set up is free whether you are purchasing one course licence or a hundred course licences.

• No more trying to schedule half a day or even a day off-site: do the theory online on a computer or smartphone over several days, whenever is convenient
• Engaging video-based learning followed by questions - it covers everything required in the Approved Code of Practice which is the document WorkSafe refers to in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
• Language and literacy support with question translations to 70+ languages plus audio recordings in English
• Easy management and reporting
• Manage renewals for forklift drivers with an expiring certificate
• Do you need an F endorsement, too? Click here for the F+OSH course.
• Do you want to do US10851 (forklift unit standard): Click here for the US10851 forklift operator's certificate

What are some different names for the forklift operator's certificate?

Fork hoist licence, forklift permit, fork truck licence, forklift truck licence, forklift licence, flt licence, forklift certificate, forklift osh, osh licence and forklift ticket.

I send my forklift operators out to an external training company. Isn't this the law? 

No, there's nothing in any law that says you have to do this. The Approved Code of Practice has a set of recommendations, but they are only guidelines. You can still do that if you prefer, but the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 allows you to comply with the Act in the way that is best suited to your company's requirements, as long as the method doesn't deliver a worse health and safety outcome than the recommendations in the Code. Online learning is more in-depth, more inclusive with our translations and audio recordings, and can be repeated as many times as is necessary to gain understanding. Taking control of your practical assessments and doing it internally is a more robust way of understanding how to monitor your forklift operators' performance throughout their time at your company rather than sending them out and not understanding how they should be operating in your company. The practical checklist is straightforward to follow and tests the operator's competence on the day of the assessment.

Does this course give a forklift permit?

The operator's certificate is often called a forklift permit. The permit means you have permission to operate a forklift.

My forklift operators have an F endorsement. Can they do the operator's certificate course as the renewal? 

Yes. The F endorsement only has to be done once as long as the operator's driver licence remains current. IF you need an F endorsement, please use our F endorsement course.

I have a new forklift operator who hasn't driven a forklift truck before. Can they use this course to become qualified? 

They can use this course to learn the theory, but it is essential that they also have in-person practical forklift training plus supervision at your company.

Does the course cover reach trucks and other types of forklifts, or just counterbalance? 

The theory is the same regardless of what type of forklift truck you use. The only difference is that you must provide specific practical induction and training on each piece of equipment that your operators use. This can be done internally, by the manufacturer/distributor, or by an external trainer. The same applies to using attachments.

How long is the forklift certificate valid for? 

The Approved Code of Practice recommends three years. You are free to change this to be more frequent, e.g. two years, but you should not make it longer than three years as this will provide a worse health and safety outcome therefore would not comply with the HSWA2015.

Does this course include a practical assessment with a trainer?

No, the practical assessment can be conducted in-house by following the guide. A practical assessment with a trainer is extra - see the options above.

My forklift instructor has said that I must use an accredited trainer. Is this true? 

No. Having an accredited trainer is a good option if you know an excellent trainer and a bad option if the trainer is bad. However, it is not mandatory, as stated in the Approved Code of Practice. If you want an accredited trainer, TR Driver Training has 20 accredited trainers across 10 locations.

Do I have to do NZQA unit standards? 

US10851 is not required for the fork hoist licence. If you do an F endorsement course then you will do 18496 as part of it (this is not required for the operator's certificate). 

How do you prove that a person has done the training when it's online? 

We recommend that your operators do the training at your premises (either on your computers or tablets or using their smartphone) so that you can ensure it is them doing the training and not another person. Our clients tend to schedule convenient, short sessions where an operator can use those facilities.

• You will need one course licence per person taking the course - you can't use one licence for multiple operators
• You will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with internet access to take the theory training.
• You must take a practical assessment at the end of this course. 

"I felt it was good value for money as it was in depth and I learnt from it. I recommended this course and hence we are now signing up about 60-70 staff members for it." Donna Akari, Entelar Group (Spark)

"From the recent use the operators have found course it is simple clear and relatable. I would recommend and have actually mentioned to another company." Tony Jury, PEC

"The staff member who took the course felt it was a valuable course and a great refresher." Simon Maher, Carters

"The online course option works well for our company, especially for refresher training.  The majority of our staff are working on forklifts every day so this is a very convenient option for us without disrupting their day and having employees offsite too much. We have indeed recommended this course, in particular, and will continue to do so.  Game changer for us and I know other companies will feel the same.  Thank you for all you do." Michaela Watkins, Metal Solutions BOP

"DT's online Forklift Operator's Certificate is excellent. With this course the operators have to know their stuff.   Our operators like that they can study at their own pace and train at work.  The course content is engaging and provides a better understanding of what is required to operate a forklift correctly as well as the issues and hazards.  The system is easy to use.  It makes my life easier and I no longer have to arrange travel for the operators to go to courses."  Dale Jamieson, Trainer and Health and Safety Co-ordinator, Bremworth.

"The courses have been great and good value, and we have already recommended them to a few other members of our group and head office." Ross Weaver, Flooring Xtra

"The Forklift Competency Course fits our business needs. Operators find it's just like having an instructor sit in class.  We can fit the training in with our operational commitments and don't have to rely on others.  It puts us in control so if it suits your business needs, go for it."  Lance Farrow, Operations, Normans Transport 

"The course is well delivered and takes into account the different learning styles. Each course purchased is valid for 12 months so management has the option of requiring staff to redo the course as part of disciplinary action if the need arose. There is also a considerable cost saving to the company with online training." Rhys Williams, Driver Trainer, Bidfood

"We really like using DT's online Forklift Operator's Certificate.  We don't have to send our operators away for a half or full day when we're busy.  The quality of the course is very high and the operators really need to engage in the training to be able to answer all the questions correctly.  We're able to monitor the training so know they have acquired knowledge or had a refresh." Jonell Mongie, Office Administrator, Pharmapac

"DT's online Forklift Operator's Certificate is helping raise the standard of forklift operation for Foodstuffs South Island. We are getting good results and can better manage forklift training, doing it at a time that suits us." Gerard Anngow, Distribution Centre Training and Development Coordinator, Foodstuffs South Island

"I highly recommend DT's online Forklift Operator's Certificate.  It saved us a lot of time not having to put a driver on a half-day course through an agent.  The procedure was easy and straightforward for myself as manager and for my driver who completed the modules and practical assessment within a week.  Being able to put my drivers through their forklift certificates at any stage is definitely an advantage for operations and the price is very attractive.  DT has been very helpful and made a new thing very easy for me to get my head around." Fraser Neale, Operations Manager, Hamburger Transport.

"The team at DT Driver Training have been amazing. No question too stupid and always responding quickly and friendly," Jo Kelly, Contract Health & Safety Advisor at Metalcraft Roofing