Forklift Training Courses
RTITB Accredited FLT Training For All Levels Of Experience.
- Shorter courses available with RTITB eTruck
- Training centres in Manchester & Stockport
Forklift Training Courses, Every Week Of The Year
Our forklift training centres in Manchester and Stockport deliver a full range of FLT training courses every week of the year. Between them, our facilities and team of instructors can run up to 4 courses (12 candidates) at once, giving you real flexibility on dates and numbers — and RTITB eTruck adds even more.
All training is delivered to the recommended Health & Safety Executive standards through our Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB) accreditation. Every instructor is an experienced RTITB Counterbalance and Reach instructor as a minimum, and most cover a much wider range — from telescopic handlers and overhead cranes to MEWPs, HIAB, Banksman and manual handling.
We train on your own site throughout the UK, and — as one of the country’s leading forklift trainers — we’re also accredited to train forklift instructors, by both RTITB and ITSSAR. There’s a regular programme of Forklift Instructor Training for new instructors and for experienced instructors renewing their qualification.
Weekend forklift courses can be arranged on request.
Book Your Forklift CourseOne Of The UK’s Leading Forklift Trainers
Over 20 years training forklift operators — with the skill and depth of experience to train other instructors too.
Forklift Training Experts
More than 20 years’ experience delivering RTITB forklift training across every truck type and level of ability.
All Levels Catered For
No previous experience necessary. We train complete novices through to experienced operators renewing their certificate.
The Trainer Trainers
Our instructors are skilled enough to train other instructors — accredited by both RTITB and ITSSAR to do so.
Counterbalance & Reach On Site
Both our Manchester and Stockport centres hold Counterbalance and Reach trucks for training and testing.
Faster Courses With eTruck
RTITB’s eTruck online theory shortens time in centre — a Novice can need up to 2 days less. A real saving in time and cost.
On-Site Training UK-Wide
Training ‘on the job’ — we come to your premises anywhere in the UK, on a wide range of equipment.
The Trucks We Train On
Counterbalance and Reach are the two most common trucks and are trained at both centres. A wider range is delivered on your own site, where facilities allow.
Counterbalance
The most common forklift. A counterweight at the rear balances the load on the forks, for loading, unloading and stacking on level ground. Seen across warehousing and industry.
Reach
Built for warehouse racking — the reach mechanism places palletised goods into high, narrow-aisle racking that a counterbalance can’t access.
Pivot Steer (Bendi / Flexi)
Articulates through tight angles to work very narrow aisles, doing the job of both a counterbalance and a reach truck — freeing up warehouse space.
Powered Pallet Truck
Pedestrian or ride-on trucks for moving and loading pallets at ground level — a warehouse staple and a popular short course.
Moffett / Truck-Mounted
Lorry-mounted and transportable to site, for outdoor use over uneven ground — cutting the wait to be unloaded at the customer.
Telehandler / Rough Terrain
An extending boom and rugged build for construction and outdoor sites, handling loads at height and over uneven ground.
We can also deliver training on Side Loaders, Skip Loaders, Overhead Cranes and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) on site. Looking for lorry loader training? See our HIAB courses.
Novice, Experienced, Refresher Or Conversion
Courses are structured around your experience and previous training. The maximum ratio is 3 candidates to 1 instructor; durations shorten with fewer candidates or with eTruck.
Novice
For anyone with no previous forklift experience. Shorter if fewer than 3 attend, or with eTruck.
Experienced
For operators with experience who need a recognised certificate. A self-declaration of your forklift experience is required.
Refresher
For certificated operators renewing their qualification. Refresher training should be undertaken every 3 years.
Conversion
For holders of an RTITB certificate moving to different equipment — e.g. a Counterbalance operator adding Reach.
What You’ll Cover — And How You’re Tested
The forklift training course content is prescribed by RTITB, the largest accrediting body for forklift training. The syllabus builds a solid understanding of the principles of operating lift trucks safely.
What The Course Covers
- The Safe Working Environment
- Forklift Care & Maintenance — daily pre-use checks.
- Loading & Unloading Vehicles
- Bulk Stacking
- Industrial Racking Systems
- Eye-Level Stacking
- High-Level Stacking
What The Tests Involve
- Theory Test — a written assessment of your safety and operating knowledge.
- Pre-Use Inspection Test — checking the truck is safe and fit for use.
- Practical Skills Test — demonstrating safe, competent operation.
On passing all three elements, operators are certificated and registered on the RTITB National Operator Registration Scheme (NORS). Pass rates are very high.
RTITB eTruck — The Modern Approach
eTruck lets candidates complete the theory element online, at their own pace, in the weeks before attending for practical training. For a Novice course that can mean up to 2 days less in centre — a big saving in time and cost.
Refresher eTraining can even extend a licence by 1 or 2 years online. You don’t have to use eTruck — we’ll always offer full face-to-face courses too — but many operators and employers find it far more convenient.
Why You Need Forklift Training
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires employers to ensure safety in the use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances. PUWER 1998 (Regulation 9) requires refresher training as and when necessary, and lifting operations fall under LOLER 1998.
Training is delivered to the HSE Approved Code of Practice L117 — protecting you, your colleagues and your operation.
Inclusive Pricing, No Hidden Extras
Every price includes your badge, certification and RTITB NORS registration fee. Prices shown ex VAT and inc VAT.
Counterbalance
Reach
Conversion & Combined
Every Course Includes
- Operator badge
- Certificate of training
- RTITB NORS registration fee
- Training on our own trucks
- Experienced RTITB instructor
- No hidden extras
Upcoming Course Dates
Forklift courses run every week at our Manchester & Stockport centres. Filter by centre or course type, then book the date that suits.
On-Site Forklift Training, Across The UK
The most cost-effective way to train a team is on your own site, on your own trucks, in the environment your operators actually work in. We bring the training to you — anywhere in the UK.
- We come to you — on-site training nationwide, wherever your premises are suitable.
- Train on your own trucks — operators learn on the exact equipment and layout they’ll use day to day.
- The full MHE range — counterbalance, reach, pivot steer, powered pallet, Moffett, rough terrain & telehandler, overhead cranes and MEWPs.
- Built around your shifts — minimise downtime, with weekend courses available on request.
- Every level, on site — novice, experienced, refresher and conversion, all delivered at your premises.
- Volume & fleet training — up to 3 candidates per instructor, per truck; multiple instructors for larger teams.
- Bring training in-house — our Forklift Instructor Training (RTITB & ITSSAR) lets you train and refresh your own operators.
- Business accounts — inclusive pricing and account terms for regular and multi-site customers.
Rated 5 Stars by Forklift Operators
Genuine reviews from Trustpilot and Google. Click “Verify” on any review to view it on their platform.
Recent forklift reviews
FLT Training
Honestly I was a bag of nerves going into this but big job progression from this Stuart Marsh put me at complete ease and talked me throughly through every aspect I knew nothing now I proceeded to flawlessly pass (near enough!) Really well informed about every aspect of travelling, loading, unloading, and general use of a forklift, I now feel confident going forward and will forever be grateful for everything Stuart has done for me and enterprise. Thanks again and good luck to future people.
FLT training
Really enjoyable course, easy to understand instructions, practical work very good, really enjoyed this course. Excellent tutoring by Stuart Marsh.
FLT Course
Very well run course, Stuart was very patient and helpful and great to learn off. Thanks for all the help and advice.
Exceeded expectations
They are absolutely amazing, I have done my level 1 flt today and passed it thanks to Stewart who was my trainer. They are patient, understanding and help you every step of the way. The value for money is spot on.
Staff are fabulous at EET
Staff are fabulous at EET, I had my FLT training course this past week and they made me feel at ease especially the instructor that I had – Melvin who built my confidence and got me through the course with a pass 🙂 Thank you team! Amy
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a car driving licence to drive a forklift?
No. Provided the forklift is not operated on the public roads, no driving licence is required.
Do forklift truck licences exist?
Most people call them ‘forklift licences’, but they are Certificates of Training — evidence that you’ve completed a course delivered by an accredited training provider to the syllabus set by an accrediting body. The employer has a duty of care to make sure operators are adequately trained for their work environment, which can sometimes mean additional training (for example, when using attachments such as barrel clamps).
Is there a minimum age for forklift training?
Once you’ve reached the minimum school leaving age (currently 16) you may train to drive a forklift. To operate a forklift at a port, you must be 18.
Do forklift drivers need a medical?
There’s no formal requirement for a medical examination to determine fitness to drive forklifts. The employer is responsible for risk-assessing the operation of mechanical handling equipment and should bear the operator’s medical history in mind. Some employers choose to include a medical as part of their standard procedures.
Why do forklift courses vary in length?
Course length reflects each candidate’s experience and previous training. A novice needs all the underpinning theory plus practical training; an experienced operator already has practical skills but hasn’t done the full theory; refresher candidates have trained before and are brushing up. Numbers on the course and the use of eTruck also affect duration.
Which course should I take — Counterbalance or Reach?
Counterbalance is the most common truck and the usual starting point. Operators who need both types generally take a Novice Counterbalance course followed by a Reach Conversion. If you already hold a certificate, a shorter conversion course lets you add the new truck type.
Can I really extend an RTITB certificate without a practical course?
Yes. RTITB extended its remote training options to allow candidates to extend a certificate through e-learning. This can only be done once — practical training and assessment are required at the following renewal.
What are the pass rates on forklift courses?
Incredibly high — very few people fail. On the rare occasion someone does, it’s usually because they operate the truck in a way that would endanger colleagues, such as driving too fast or skipping safety checks.
How often do I need refresher training?
Refresher training should be undertaken every 3 years. PUWER (Regulation 9) also requires employers to provide refresher training as and when necessary — for example after a period away from the truck, a change of equipment, or a near miss.
Do you train on my own site?
Yes. We deliver on-site forklift training throughout the UK, on your own trucks, wherever your premises are suitable. On site we can cover a much wider range of equipment than at our centres — including pivot steer, powered pallet, Moffett, rough terrain and telehandlers, overhead cranes and MEWPs.
Book Your Forklift Training Now
Courses every week at our Manchester & Stockport centres, or on your site UK-wide. RTITB accredited, all levels, inclusive pricing.
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