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Age and health requirements for forklift operators

18 years, a health declaration and a tractor driving licence for use on public roads

2026-06-14·4 min reading

The main rule is 18 to obtain a forklift certificate, with an exception from age 15 while in a qualifying vocational programme. You must be medically fit, and if you drive where the Road Traffic Act applies you also need at least a tractor driving licence.

Introduction

The rules on age and health ensure that the operator can run the forklift safely. They are simple, but important to have in order before you sign up for a certificate course.

Age

  • 01Main rule: the person must have turned 18 to obtain the certificate.
  • 02Exception: young people who have turned 15 may nevertheless obtain a certificate if it is necessary to complete a specific vocational (qualifying) training programme.

Health

The person must be medically fit to operate a pallet stacker/forklift. This can be documented, for example, by the medical declaration drawn up when a driving licence is issued.

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