The Forklift Licence: The Complete Guide

The term "forklift licence" (Staplerschein) is everywhere in day-to-day operations – but the correct designation is driving authorisation for industrial trucks (Fahrausweis fuer Flurfoerderzeuge). This clarification is not merely a matter of wording: anyone who wants to make an impression in job applications or in correspondence with the authorities should know the official term.

The legal basis is DGUV Principle 308-001 (until 2014: BGG 925), which sets out binding rules for the training, examination and in-company authorisation of forklift drivers. It is supplemented by DGUV Regulation 68 (industrial trucks), which prescribes operator duties, inspection obligations and operating instructions.

The driving authorisation certifies that the holder has completed recognised training, passed the associated examination and thereby provided the minimum qualification for operating a forklift commercially. Without this proof, operating an industrial truck in a commercial environment is prohibited – irrespective of whether the vehicle is owned or rented.

Please note: the driving authorisation applies exclusively to in-company operation on company premises and private traffic areas. As soon as a forklift travels on public roads, the requirements of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) apply in addition.

In principle, every person who operates a forklift, reach truck, high-lift pallet truck, pedestrian-controlled stacker with a standing platform or any other self-propelled industrial truck with a lifting function as part of their job. This applies to:

• warehouse and logistics staff in industry, retail and e-commerce

• machine operators on construction sites with telehandlers and reach stackers

• production and assembly staff

• staff in agriculture (yard loaders, telehandlers in field use)

• drivers in cold-chain logistics, food retail and the beverage industry

The employer bears the primary responsibility. Under DGUV Regulation 1 and § 9 of the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV), the employer must ensure that only qualified and expressly authorised persons drive forklifts. The written authorisation – often referred to as a "driving order" (Fahrauftrag) or operating instruction – is mandatory and must be verifiably available in the company. An employee who drives without a valid driving authorisation, and an employer who tolerates it, are personally liable in the event of damage.

The admission requirements for the training are clearly and uniformly regulated:

Minimum age: 18 years. A special in-company arrangement applies to apprentices: as part of their training and under the direct supervision of an experienced driver, they may be familiarised with the equipment before the age of 18. Operating a truck independently in the company remains prohibited until they come of age.

Physical fitness. Adequate eyesight and hearing are a basic requirement. Impaired vision must be corrected by visual aids; certain medications or medical conditions can restrict fitness to drive. The occupational medical examination G25 (driving, steering and monitoring activities) under DGUV Principle G 25 is recommended. The G25 examination covers eyesight and hearing tests, a reaction test and a general assessment of physical fitness. Employers who cover the cost of training generally require the G25 as a precondition. Cost: 80–150 euros at company doctors or occupational health services.

Prior knowledge. Technical prior knowledge is not a formal requirement, but it noticeably shortens the training time. Anyone who has already worked in a logistics environment can often manage with a one-day course.

Stage 1: Theory and Practice

Under DGUV Principle 308-001, the training is divided into a theoretical and a practical part, which are usually completed in combination.

Theoretical training content:

• Legal bases: DGUV Regulation 68, DGUV Principle 308-001, the relevant sections of the BetrSichV

• Design, function and components of the forklift (lifting mast, forks, hydraulics, battery/engine)

• Stability and load centre (stability triangle, tipping line, load moment diagram)

• Operational hazards: risk of tipping, uncontrolled load drop, cornering with a raised load

• Traffic rules for in-company traffic (walking pace, right of way, safety clearances)

• Operating instructions and the authorisation procedure

Practical training content:

• Daily pre-use and post-use checks (visual inspection, fluid check, brake test)

• Driving without a load (straight ahead, cornering, reversing)

• Picking up and setting down loads (entering the pallet, positioning, lifting and lowering)

• Driving with a load (transport travel, unloading, high stacking on racking)

• Behaviour in the event of accidents, technical defects and operational interruptions

The Examination

The training concludes with a two-part final examination:

Theory examination: as a rule 25–30 multiple-choice questions from the examination catalogues covering the legal position, technology and operational safety. Depending on the provider, the pass mark is 70–80 % of the questions.

Practical examination: a standardised practical course with prescribed tasks (picking up a load, placing it in racking, cross travel, reversing, parking). Safety, precision and compliance with operating rules are assessed.

Anyone who fails the theory examination can retake it after a waiting period (1–4 weeks depending on the provider) without having to repeat the practical examination – and vice versa.

Stage 2: Supplementary Qualification for Special Trucks

For certain vehicle types, a type-specific supplementary qualification (Stage 2) is mandatory:

• side-loader trucks

• three-wheel forklifts with increased requirements

• telehandlers and reach stackers (depending on the field of application)

• high-rack trucks (reach trucks above 4 m)

The supplementary qualification requires Stage 1 to have been passed and usually takes 1–2 days.

Course fees vary considerably depending on the provider, region, course length and number of participants. As a guide:

Format	Price range (external, individual booking)
One-day course (1 day, for experienced staff)	150–350 €
Standard course (2 days)	250–550 €
Intensive course (2–3 days incl. examination fee)	300–600 €
In-house training (from 6–10 persons)	600–1,500 € flat rate

On top of this there may be the G25 examination, work equipment and travel expenses. Employers usually cover the cost; where individuals pay themselves, funding is available through the Federal Employment Agency (education voucher, Bildungsgutschein).

→ Detailed price table: Forklift licence costs

Format	Duration	Target group
One-day course	1 day	Experienced logistics staff
Standard course	2 days	Beginners, career changers
Stage 1 + 2 combined	4–5 days	Special-truck qualification

→ All the details: How long does a forklift licence take?

A widespread misconception: the forklift licence does not expire. The driving authorisation for industrial trucks is valid indefinitely in principle – provided the holder remains physically fit.

What does have to be renewed annually is the instruction required under DGUV Regulation 1 and DGUV Principle 308-001. This obligation rests with the employer, not the driver. If the annual instruction is missing, the driver's authorisation effectively lapses – the company may not continue to deploy them without current proof. In the event of damage, business owners and, where applicable, managers are personally liable.

→ In detail, including liability consequences: Forklift licence validity & annual instruction

In public traffic areas, the in-company driving authorisation does not replace a road driving licence:

Category L driving licence: for forklifts up to 40 km/h on public paths and roads.

Category B driving licence: where the vehicle is approved for more than 40 km/h or where trailers are towed.

Category CE / T driving licence: for combined vehicle-and-trailer units or particularly heavy vehicles.

In practice this mainly affects construction sites with transitions across open ground, cross transport over public paths, or loading onto low-loader parking areas. In pure warehouse and indoor operations, the driving authorisation alone is sufficient.

Is the forklift licence mandatory?

Yes. Under DGUV Principle 308-001 and DGUV Regulation 68, nobody may operate a forklift commercially without a valid driving authorisation for industrial trucks. The employer is obliged to require and archive the proof and to issue the written authorisation.

How old do I have to be for the forklift licence?

The minimum age is 18. Apprentices may gain practical experience earlier under the supervision of an experienced driver, but may only be authorised to work independently once they come of age.

What is the difference between the yellow and the blue forklift licence?

This distinction goes back to older training formats used by individual employers' liability insurance associations. In terms of content, both formats correspond to the current DGUV Principle 308-001. What matters for in-company authorisation is not the colour of the document but proof of training to the current DGUV standard.

Is the forklift licence valid abroad?

In principle yes. A driving authorisation issued to the DGUV standard is recognised in most European countries. In practice, employers should check the national requirements for cross-border deployment – particularly in France (CACES R489), the Netherlands (VCA/Arbowet) and Switzerland (Suva guidelines).

Can the employer require the forklift licence?

Yes, and they must. Under § 9 BetrSichV and DGUV Regulation 68, the employer has to ensure that only qualified persons operate industrial trucks. Whether they cover the cost of training is a separate matter of employment contract.

What happens if the annual instruction has been forgotten?

If the annual instruction is missing, the employee formally may no longer drive a forklift. In the event of damage, the company's liability cover lapses. The instruction can be made up, but it must be documented in writing (date, content, signatures).

As a rental partner operating across Europe, Luibl Rental delivers forklifts, telehandlers, reach trucks and electric forklifts directly to your construction site or warehouse – throughout Germany and throughout Europe. Short-term and long-term rental, available at short notice.

→ Rent forklifts from Luibl Rental