Basic Types Of Forklift Training

Forklift Training Courses are simple, quick courses which can take you from novice to fully trained operator in under a week. Many HGV drivers now double as forklift operators – as they can then load and unload their vehicles, doing two jobs for the price of one! Forklift training can be a confusing subject; there are many types of licence – counterbalance, reach, telescopic – so see our easy to use the guide below. Get in touch with us here at the HGV Training Centre if you have any questions or to book a course. Courses run weekly at over 45 locations nationwide- so call now for the latest prices and course times.

Counterbalance & Reach – this is the most common forklift truck, used in 100’000’s of warehouses and depots across the UK. Counterbalances are used for loading and unloading and general moving of goods in yards and warehouses. Reach Trucks are used in smaller, confined areas, often with very high levels and difficult to access places.

Truck Mounted Forklift – these machines are attached to your HGV, you’ll need to learn how to disengage the forklift from the truck and then operate it safely to load/unload your vehicle. This is a hard skill to master as you’re often operating in small spaces, so an HGV driver with a Forklift Truck licence is a sought-after commodity!

Telescopic / Telehandler Forklift – this is a more specialist vehicle, often used in the agriculture and construction trades. They are a powerful piece of equipment and the operator needs to understand how much weight can be loaded and how to assess the safety of a load. Gaining a Telehandler licence can open up a world of employment opportunities and are often the highest paid machine operators on building sites.

All of the above licences/qualifications can be obtained in under a week. Our intensive training programs using ‘mock-up’ warehouses are based on nationally recognised training bodies, giving you the best industry-standard courses available.