Forklift licence in Germany: training, authorisation and annual instruction for drivers
Anyone who drives a forklift needs training, written authorisation and annual instruction. What lies behind the German “Staplerschein” and which duties the employer has.
Last updated on 7 min readAMS Go editorial team
Key points at a glance
- Forklifts with a driver's seat or stand may only be operated by people who are at least 18, suitable, trained and authorised in writing by the employer (DGUV Regulation 68).
- The “Staplerschein” is the certificate of training under DGUV Principle 308-001 with a theoretical and practical test. It is not a driving licence and does not expire.
- Only written authorisation from the employer allows driving at work – for specific trucks and areas of use.
- Forklift drivers are instructed at least annually; the forklifts themselves are inspected at least annually by a competent person.
Who may drive a forklift?
Under DGUV Regulation 68 “Industrial trucks”, the employer may only entrust people with operating industrial trucks with a driver's seat or stand who:
- are at least 18 years old
- are physically and mentally suitable for the job
- have been trained and have proven their competence
- and have been authorised in writing by the employer
This also applies to temporary staff, agency workers and employees who only occasionally move a forklift. For pedestrian-controlled trucks such as electric pallet trucks, training under DGUV Principle 308-001 is not required – but instruction on the truck is mandatory, and written authorisation is recommended.
The training: what lies behind the forklift licence
DGUV Principle 308-001 “Training and authorisation of drivers of industrial trucks with driver's seat and stand” describes the training. It consists of three stages:
Stage 1 – General training
Contentlegal basis, design and technology, stability and load capacity, traffic rules on site, load handling, practical driving exercises
Prooftheoretical and practical test, driver's certificate
Stage 2 – Additional training
Contentspecial types or attachments, such as reach trucks, telehandlers or clamps
Proofaddition to the certificate
Stage 3 – In-company familiarisation
Contentthe specific truck, areas of use, internal traffic routes and rules
Proofdocumented by the company
Courses are offered by employers' liability insurance associations, inspection organisations, dealers and specialised training providers – usually over one to three days, depending on prior knowledge.
Annual instruction
Like all employees, forklift drivers are instructed before starting work and at least once a year thereafter (Section 12 ArbSchG, Section 4 DGUV Regulation 1). Typical topics:
- stability, load chart and load centre
- driving with and without a load, on slopes and ramps
- traffic rules on site, pedestrians, visibility and reversing
- wearing the restraint system – tip-over accidents are particularly dangerous
- never carry or lift people, except with approved work platforms
- parking, charging and refuelling, handling batteries and LPG
- report accidents, near misses and damage to racking immediately
Inspecting the forklifts
Besides the drivers, the truck must be right too: industrial trucks are inspected at least once a year by a competent person (DGUV Regulation 68), usually with an inspection sticker and report. Before each shift, drivers check brakes, steering, lifting equipment, warning devices and restraint system and report defects.
Suitability: is a medical examination required?
The law does not prescribe a specific medical examination. The employer must, however, ensure that drivers are physically and mentally suitable. Many companies follow the DGUV recommendation for driving, steering and monitoring tasks (formerly G 25) and have vision and suitability assessed by the company doctor. This is a fitness examination that must be agreed in the employment contract or at company level – not mandatory occupational health care.
Checklist: forklift drivers
- All forklift drivers at least 18 and suitable
- Training certificate under DGUV Principle 308-001 available
- Additional training for special types and attachments
- In-company familiarisation documented
- Written authorisation with trucks and areas of use
- Annual instruction carried out and documented
- Forklifts inspected annually by a competent person
- Pre-shift check introduced
- Traffic routes, pedestrian areas and ramps secured
Free templates for this guide
As PDF and Excel, no sign-up – free to use in your own company.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a forklift licence valid?
The training certificate does not expire. Written authorisation and annual instruction remain prerequisites for driving at work, however. Anyone who has not driven for a long time should receive practical familiarisation again before starting.
From what age may you drive a forklift?
Under DGUV Regulation 68, industrial trucks with a driver's seat or stand may in principle only be operated by people aged 18 or over who are trained, suitable and authorised in writing.
Do you need a forklift licence for an electric pallet truck?
For pedestrian-controlled trucks without a driver's seat or stand, training under DGUV Principle 308-001 is not required. Instruction on the truck is mandatory, however, and written authorisation is recommended.
May I drive with a forklift licence but without authorisation?
No. The driver's certificate only proves the training. Only those authorised in writing by the employer may drive at work.
Who pays for the forklift licence?
If the training is needed for the job, the employer usually covers it.
This guide gives a general overview of German occupational safety law and does not replace legal advice. The regulations in force and the rules of the statutory accident insurance institutions are authoritative.
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