A legally required operator's certificate is needed for self-propelled forklifts with mechanical mast lift. Certificate A covers pedestrian stacker trucks with stabiliser legs; certificate B covers trucks you stand/sit on or without stabiliser legs — and B also counts as A. Here are the rules and the 1-metre exception.
Introduction
A statutory operator's certificate is required for all forklift trucks and fork stackers that have mechanical lifting of the load along one side of a vertical mast AND mechanical travel (i.e. are self-propelled). If both conditions are met, the operator must hold a certificate.
Certificate A and B
- 01Certificate A: applies to self-propelled fork stackers that can be operated on foot and that have stabilising legs beneath the load.
- 02Certificate B: applies to forklift trucks that the operator must stand or sit on, or that have no stabilising legs beneath the load (e.g. counterbalance truck, reach truck, very-narrow-aisle truck).
- 03Certificate B also counts as certificate A — if you hold B, you may also drive the A machines.
Decision tree
- 01Is the machine self-propelled WITH mechanical mast lift? No → no certificate requirement.
- 02Is the lift height limited to max. 1 m (key switch)? Yes → no certificate requirement (exception).
- 03Stabiliser legs under the load and operated on foot? → Certificate A.
- 04Will the operator be standing/sitting on it, or are there no outriggers? → Certificate B (also covers A).
- 05Are you driving where the Road Traffic Act applies? → also requires at least a tractor driving licence.
Machine types per category
The boundary between A and B depends on whether the operator walks alongside with support legs under the load, or whether the operator stands/sits on the machine or drives without support legs. Here are the typical machines in each category:
| Category | Typical machines | Card |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate A | Pedestrian forklifts with support legs under the load (escort stackers) | Driver walks beside; support leg bears the load. |
| Certificate B | Counterweight truck, reach truck/reachtruck, narrow aisle truck, picker truck you stand/sit on | Driver stands/sits on — or no support legs. B also covers A. |
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