How to Check Forklift Licenses?

For many years, forklift licenses were issued for an indefinite period. Moreover, there was also the possibility of obtaining personal licenses that were valid only within a specific workplace. However, on June 1, 2019, regulations came into effect that changed the method and procedure for verifying qualifications required for operating forklifts as well as the method of their renewal. It is therefore important to know how to check forklift licenses according to currently applicable law.

Personal forklift licenses and current regulations

As mentioned, until mid-June 2019, workplaces had the possibility of issuing forklift licenses to their employees. According to currently applicable regulations, this is no longer possible. Every person who previously obtained personal forklift licenses must now upgrade their qualifications and pass a state exam. However, it should be emphasized that the ministerial regulation introducing the new provisions precisely specified until when personal licenses are valid, and thus from when passing a state exam will be required. Personal forklift licenses will still be valid:

• until December 2023 – applies to licenses issued by December 31, 2004,
• until December 2026 – applies to licenses issued by December 31, 2014,
• until the end of 2027 – applies to licenses issued after January 1, 2015.

UDT forklift licenses obtained before June 1, 2019

People obtaining UDT forklift licenses before the new regulations came into effect were convinced they were acquiring them for life. Unfortunately, new regulations introduce changes in this regard. Currently, forklift licenses are valid for a period of 5 or 10 years. The validity period of licenses depends on the type of vehicles. In other words, indefinite licenses obtained before June 1, 2019, became term licenses after the new regulations came into effect. This means the necessity of renewing them every 5 or 10 years.

Renewal of UDT forklift licenses

Fortunately, renewing forklift licenses does not mean the necessity of retaking the course and passing the state exam again. To renew licenses, one must submit an application for their extension to the Technical Supervision Office 3 months before their validity expires. However, importantly, at the time of submitting the application, one must be an active forklift operator. This means the necessity of working as a forklift operator for 3 years within the last 5 years. Importantly, this does not have to be a continuous period and the work does not have to be performed exclusively for one employer. It is essential to work actively as a forklift operator for 3 years within the last 5 years.

Checking forklift licenses

It remains to answer the question of how to check forklift licenses, e.g., by a potential employer. Every person who obtains forklift operating licenses at the Technical Supervision Office receives a special identification card. The document serves as confirmation that the given person has the necessary qualifications and can work as a forklift operator. The card also contains the exact validity date of the held licenses. An employer wanting to check whether a given person has forklift licenses can ask to see the identification card issued by the Technical Supervision Office.