Forklift certificate

A forklift certificate proves you successfully completed forklift driver training. The law does not prescribe a specific diploma, but it does oblige the employer to deploy only trained, suitable drivers; the certificate is the standard proof.

What does the law actually say?

Belgian wellbeing legislation obliges employers to let motorised transport equipment be driven only by employees who are trained and suitable for it, including periodic refreshers. So there is no legal 'forklift licence', but there is an obligation of demonstrable training. In practice companies and insurers ask for a certificate from a recognised course, often complemented by medical fitness and an internal company authorisation.

Training and variants

Basic training takes one to a few days depending on your experience, combining theory (stability, load charts, floor traffic rules) with practice. Besides the classic counterbalance forklift there are separate modules for reach trucks, stackers, order pickers and sideloaders; warehouses often ask for several. A refresher every three to five years is the common standard in industry.

Who is it relevant for?

Not just warehouse staff: maintenance technicians, operators and logistics team leaders regularly drive forklifts too. On your CV mention the certificate with type and year. Working through a temp agency often gets you free training; permanent staff usually receive it from the employer.