Pictured left is the test course for fork lift truck operators as laid down by the Joint Committee of Industry Training Boards.

All accrediting bodies have accepted this as the definitive test as of April 1st 2000. Extensive piloting of this test took place before it was introduced to replace the original test which dates from 1972.

I had the somewhat dubious distinction of being one of eight instructors nationwide who undertook piloting exercises for this test for the Road Transport Industry Training Board during October and November of 1999. I still have reservations about some aspects of it but overall, it does give a good indication that a person is competent on a fork lift although the word "competent" should not be used on a certificate.

The test can be set up as a mirror image of that shown. Also the chicane need not be next to the main aisleway. In some circumstances, it may not be possible to arrange for loads to be present on both sides of the aisleway due to space constraints. In these cases the loads can all be on one side but the instructor will direct the candidate to drive so that an equal number of left and right turns are made as are made in the test shown here.

Note: If you are taking this test you should NOT have to memorise the sequence to be followed and your instructor should repeat instructions to you at each step. I have known instructors to ask trainees to memorise this! If this happens to you I suggest you point out that, even on a car test, candidates are not expected to memorise! If it persists you can always contact the respective accrediting body. Links to the popular ones are on this page. For reference only. I have shown the test sequence here.

Please note. This test works on a penalty point system. There are three categories of fault as follows:

• Minor faults, (e.g. adjusting position etc), penalty = 1 point
• Medium faults, (e.g. gentle touches of the course etc), penalty = 3 points
• Serious faults, (e.g.. reversing without looking), 5 points

More details here