Operating a forklift looks straightforward. In fact, many people believe that if you can drive a car, you can drive a forklift. But it isn’t that simple. Operating a forklift requires an entirely different driving style to any other vehicle, which is only taught with specialist training. To help clear any rumours you might have seen on social media, here’s the most common misconceptions about driving a forklift that you need to know before starting your training.
You need to have a driver’s license
It might sound strange, but you don’t need any kind of specialist license to operate a forklift. That includes a driver’s license, so even if you can’t drive a car, you can still apply to be a forklift operator. If you attend regular training sessions to help you understand how to use the machinery safely, you’ll be good to go.
Forklifts are just like driving a car
Forklifts have four wheels and an engine, so it must be like driving a car, right? Wrong. That’s about as far as the similarities go, which is why you need to attend a training course to learn the ins and outs of forklift operation. Unlike any other vehicle, a forklift uses its rear wheels to steer. They also have a three-point suspension system, which means they handle very differently from any car, van, or lorry you might drive. If a forklift isn’t driven in the correct way, there’s an increased danger of swinging out and causing damage or injury.
Forklift training is just learning to drive forwards
Though you’ll learn how to safely drive a forklift forwards, that isn’t the entirety of the training course. You’ll find that much of your training will be spent driving in reverse, with professional instruction and practice helping you to move through the warehouse safely.
You’ll also be taught how to drive with a load on the front of your forklift and how to carry out the essential safety checks before climbing into the driving seat.
Forklift training takes a long time
Despite the many components to forklift training, a course can be done in just 3-5 days. This allows enough time to cover the theory, technique, and safety before focusing on the practical driving time.
So, if you’d like more advice on forklift training, please get in touch today.
Contact us on 01793 975353 or david.gearon@keyperformancetraining.co.uk for more information.
