Knowledge base · updated on 16/10/2026

Forklift inspection – simply explained (safe & inspected work)

With a approved forklift meet the EHS requirements while reducing the risk of downtime and accidents. HeftruckHuren.com (ZHE Trading B.V.) works with its own quality markVA-certified) on is RDW-approved. We inspect your forklift and document everything neatly in a report.

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Certified according to VA approval RDW-recognized company

RDW recognition and VA certification for forklifts — RDW Recognition & VA-Seal: Your forklift safely and correctly registered.

In short: what do you need to know?

Minimum 1x per year inspection (more advisable with high stakes).
Safety inspection (VA/MK) in accordance with laws and regulations.
Report & inspection sticker for your health and safety record.
On site inspections possible, so you limit downtime.
VA-approved & RDW-recognized for extra assurance.

Is a forklift inspection mandatory?

Yes. An employer must have a forklift inspected as often as necessary to keep it in good condition. This is laid down in Article 7.4a of the Dutch Working Conditions Decree (Arbeidsomstandighedenbesluit). The article does not set a fixed interval; in practice, at least one inspection per year is the norm. The inspection is carried out by a competent person. Proof of the inspection must be available at the workplace and shown to the supervisory authority on request.

If you rent a forklift from us, it is delivered with a valid VA-keur inspection.

Need a forklift for your work?

Tell us what you want to lift; we will advise you on the right machine and send a no-obligation quote.

Reply within one working day

Request a quote Call 0168 467 467

How often does a forklift need to be inspected?

A forklift should be inspected at least once a year; that is the baseline for most companies. With heavy use or multiple shifts, more frequent inspection is sensible, for example every 6 months. The key moments at a glance:

Annually — the basis for most companies.
Heavy commitment / multiple shifts — Regular inspections are smart (e.g., every 6 months).
After damage or major repair — always have it checked again.
When buying used — direct inspection so you know where you stand.

Are you unsure about the correct inspection frequency? Send us your bid (experience, environment, type of work), we will provide clear advice.

What do we check during a forklift inspection?

A forklift inspection checks the mast and chains, the forks and fork carriage, the hydraulics, the brakes and steering, the safety systems, the battery or engine and the documentation. Maintenance is not the same as an inspection. You can read more about that in forklift maintenance and repair.

Part	Example
Mast & chains	Spelling, wear, tears, lubrication
Fork & forklift	Thickness, curvature, locking, cracking
Hydraulics	Hoses, leakage, cylinders, functions
Brakes and steering system	Brake booster, parking brake, free play
Security systems	Belt, seat, horn, lights, blue-spot
Battery / motor	Connections, cables, charger, leakage
Documentation	Nameplate, load diagram, CE marking

Upon completion, you will receive a Inspection report and a inspection sticker. This way, you can show during an inspection that your equipment is in order.

Forklift rental with inspection & maintenance

Every rental machine is delivered VA-keur inspected. We offer electric forklift rental, Rent an LPG forklift or a Rent diesel forklift. The inspection concerns the machine; who is allowed to operate it is explained in Who can drive a forklift?

Are you renting through HeftruckHuren.comThen we'll arrange the inspections and maintenance for you. Definitely at Long-term forklift rental (36–72 months) is a standard part of the package.

You don't need to schedule inspections yourself.
You are sure the truck remains safe and compliant with requirements.
Any points of attention will be addressed directly in maintenance.

RDW & license plate (for road use)

When a registration plate is mandatory is explained in is a forklift allowed on the public road? Registration requirement and rules.

Does your forklift (occasionally) drive on public roads? Then you can License plate registration via the RDW needed. Because we RDW-approved are we able to

Advise whether a license plate/registration is needed.
Help with the application and registration.
Ensure that inspection and registration align properly.

Schedule a forklift inspection right away?

Send us the brand, type, year of manufacture, and a brief description of its use. We will make a clear appointment and will take care of the inspection, report, and sticker.

Request inspection Rental range Long-term rental

Frequently Asked Questions about Forklift Inspection

How often does my forklift need to be inspected?

In practice at least once a year common. For heavy use or multiple shifts, twice a year is often advisable. We're happy to help you determine what's best for your situation.

Can I inspect a forklift myself?

inspection must be carried out by a expert party be carried out. With VA-certified And based on our experience, you can be sure that the inspection will be thorough and independent.

Are forklifts that were not purchased from HeftruckHuren.com also inspected?

Yes. We accept Hyundai, but also other brands. Please include the make, model, and a photo with your inquiry.

Can inspection be combined with maintenance?

Yes, we're happy to do that. This way we limit downtime and you get everything arranged in one visit.

Is help with RDW/number plate also available?

Yes. As an RDW-recognized company, we can help you with questions about registration and license plates, especially if you (occasionally) use public roads.

Who decides how often a forklift must be inspected?

You, as the employer, decide how often an inspection is needed to keep the forklift in good condition (article 7.4a(3) of the Dutch Working Conditions Decree, the Arbobesluit; Ondernemersplein). Arboportaal, referring to the explanatory notes to the Arbobesluit, describes once a year as a safe minimum.

According to Arboportaal, the exact frequency depends on the type of machine and how intensively you use it; take the results of your risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E) into account. After an exceptional event that may affect its safety, the forklift must be inspected again (article 7.4a(4)). The law names at least the following:

natural phenomena
changes to the forklift
accidents involving the forklift
being out of use for a long period

Who may inspect a forklift, and which company should you choose?

A competent person or body of your own choosing (article 7.4a(5)). According to Arboportaal, this can be an independent inspection body, a supplier's maintenance service or your own technical department. A designated body is only mandatory for specific categories, such as pressure equipment, lifts and certain cranes; forklifts are not on Arboportaal's list.

What is VA-keur?

VA-keur is a quality mark for the periodic safety inspection of work equipment, including forklifts, pallet trucks and stackers. It is the trade name of Fedecom-keur B.V., part of Fedecom, a trade association within Koninklijke Metaalunie, a Dutch association of companies in the metal sector. VA-keur inspection companies are certified under the VA-keur guideline and audited by VA-keur at least once a year. The law requires a competent inspector, not a particular quality mark.

Do pallet trucks and stackers need inspecting too?

Yes, if wear or other influences can cause the machine to deteriorate to the point of danger: article 7.4a(3) makes no distinction between a forklift, a pallet truck or a stacker. Whether the obligation applies to your machine is for you as the employer to determine (Arboportaal).

According to VA-keur, the inspector assesses, among other things, a pallet truck's construction, hydraulics, controls and braking, and a stacker's mast, forks, wheel suspension, emergency stop, battery and braking system. We rent out electric pallet trucks from €45 per day and stackers from €55 per day, excl. VAT; these are also delivered VA-inspected.

Lift height and width according to the Hyundai datasheet; daily rate excl. VAT.
Machine	Lifting capacity	Lift height, standard mast	Width	Daily rate from
2-tonne electric pallet truck rental - Hyundai 20EP-X	2,000 kg	120 mm	729 mm	€50
1.2-tonne electric stacker rental - Hyundai 12ES-X	1,200 kg	4,530 mm	820 mm	€55
1.6-tonne electric stacker rental - Hyundai 16ES-X	1,600 kg	4,530 mm	820 mm	€60

Technical data: VDI 2198 data sheets from Hyundai Material Handling (standard version). Daily rate excl. VAT; the current price is shown on the machine's page.

Inspection, maintenance and pre-use check: what is the difference?

An inspection establishes whether the forklift is safe, maintenance keeps it in that condition, and before use the operator looks for new defects. According to Arboportaal, the periodic inspection also shows whether maintenance is adequate.

Type	What it involves	Where it is set out
Inspection	Examination or test by a competent person, with written proof at the workplace	Arbobesluit art. 7.2a and 7.4a
Maintenance	Adequate maintenance throughout the service life and a properly kept maintenance log; the law sets no interval	Arbobesluit art. 7.5
Pre-use check	The Arbobesluit does not prescribe a daily check; employees must, however, use work equipment correctly and report hazards immediately	Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) art. 11

What the mechanic does and how often is explained under forklift maintenance. What the operator checks before each shift is set out in the forklift checklist.

Rented forklift: how does the inspection work?

Every rental machine from us is delivered VA-inspected. Keep the proof of inspection at the workplace; according to Arboportaal, a digital or printed copy is acceptable.

According to Ondernemersplein, an inspection sticker shows the date of the last and of the next inspection. If your rental period runs past that date, agree in advance how the next inspection will be arranged. With operational lease from 12 to 84 months, the annual VA inspection is part of the contract; the price is on request.

Is a forklift inspection mandatory in Belgium?

Yes. Under the Belgian Code on Well-being at Work (article IV.2-14), work equipment that can deteriorate through wear must be inspected periodically by a competent person. In general, the employer sets the frequency and appoints that person.

For lifting equipment as defined in article 267 of the Belgian General Regulations for Labour Protection (ARAB), the law requires an external service for technical inspections (EDTC): a full examination at least every twelve months and, in principle, an examination of chains, hooks and brakes, among other parts, at least every three months (articles 280 and 281 ARAB). Discuss whether your forklift falls under this with your prevention adviser, who according to the Belgian Federal Public Service Employment is the first point of contact.

Legal texts and government information consulted on 17-10-2026. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources: Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit), article 7.4a (inspections) · Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit), article 7.2a (definition of inspection) · Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit), article 7.5 (maintenance of work equipment) · Working Conditions Act (Arbowet), article 1 (definition of work equipment) and article 11 (obligations of employees) · Arboportaal — Inspection of work equipment (Dutch) · Arboportaal — Maintenance of work equipment (Dutch) · Ondernemersplein — Inspecting work equipment and machine safety (Dutch) · VA-keur — Our organisation (Dutch) · VA-keur — About VA-keur (Dutch) · VA-keur — Inspecting machines (Dutch) · VA-keur — Pallet truck (Dutch) · VA-keur — Stacker (Dutch) · Belgian FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue — Lifting (Dutch) · Belgian FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue — ARAB, articles 280 and 281 (pdf, Dutch)

Need a forklift for your work?

Tell us what you want to lift; we will advise you on the right machine and send a no-obligation quote.

Reply within one working day

Request a quote Call 0168 467 467

Forklift overview

Electric forklift rentalQuiet and emission-free, for warehouse, food and production.

LPG forklift rentalUsable indoors and outdoors, with quick gas cylinder swaps.

Diesel forklift rentalPower and grip for outdoors and heavy loads.

Need a forklift yourself?

Request a no-obligation quote — you will receive a competitive rental price tailored to your needs.

Request a quote 0168 467 467