Knowledge base · updated on 16/10/2026

Who is allowed to drive a forklift? Certificate, age and driving licence

In the Netherlands there is no legally required ‘forklift license’. The employer must, according to the Working Conditions Act/Working Conditions Decree see also Arbobesluit Art. 7.17c) can demonstrate that a driver expert and instructed is for safe working. In practice, this means: Training + instruction (often established in a Forklift certificate), supervision where necessary and clear work agreements in your risk assessment.

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Can I rent a forklift without a certificate?

Short answer: Yes, renting a forklift without a certificate is possible: a forklift certificate is not legally required in the Netherlands. However, the employer must be able to demonstrate that every operator is competent and has been instructed (Arbobesluit, the Dutch Working Conditions Decree, Article 7.17c). A certificate is the usual proof of this. Driving independently is permitted from the age of 18; anyone aged 16 or 17 may only drive after training and under expert supervision.

If you rent a forklift, you as the employer provide a trained operator yourself and record the training and instruction. We deliver every rental machine VA-keur inspected. See the rental prices or request a quote.

Are you taking the forklift onto the public road? Then additional obligations apply. You can read about them in is a forklift allowed on the public road? Registration requirement and rules

Age & supervision

18+ years old — self-driving is allowed, provided it can be demonstrated that the operator has been trained/instructed.
16–17 years — alone under expert supervision and opleiding/instructie. Also applies to holiday workers. See explanation at Central Government and Dutch Labour Inspectorate.

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Forklift Certificate: Required or Not?

A Forklift certificate on its own not legally required. What is required: demonstrate expertise (training/instruction) and ensuring safe working conditions. Many employers therefore opt for a certificate as proof of competence. See also Evofenedex.

Validity — on the market 5 years Customary for repetition (employer policy).
Reach — Reach trucks/attachments may require additional training.
Recording — training, toolbox, and work agreements fixed in your Risk Inventory & Evaluation and HSE.

Is a forklift allowed on the public road? Registration plate, insurance and driving licence

Yes, but only under certain conditions. The explanation with a table is in is a forklift allowed on the public road? In short:

Registration plate: will the forklift go on the public road and is it wider than 1.30 metres, or does it tow a trailer? Then it must be registered with the RDW and carry a registration plate. The RDW inspects the machine before registration. On a closed private site, no registration plate is needed.
Third-party liability insurance: mandatory for every forklift on the public road. See the explanation.
Category T licence: required on the public road if the forklift is wider than 1.30 metres (including attachments) or can tow a trailer. For a narrower forklift without a trailer, the employer must demonstrate that the operator can drive the forklift, for example with a certificate. On your own site, a driving licence is not mandatory.
Verlichting/markering — think about lighting, reflection, and speed on the road.

Employer Checklist

Train & instruct — Plan a basic or refresher training; record this.
Supervision — supervise experts for 16–17 year olds and during onboarding.
Risk assessment and workplace setup — Routes, intersections, speed plans, and PGS/ATEX where relevant.
Personal protective equipment — visibility, safety footwear, hearing/fall protection where necessary.
Public road — WAM-polis, registration/license plates, and procedures secured.

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Practice: who can drive when?

Situation	Can I drive?	Terms and Conditions
Warehouse worker 19 years old	Yes	Training/instruction documented; internal traffic plan.
Holiday worker 17 years old	Yes, under supervision	Training/instruction provided; expert supervision present; tasks limited.
Driver must travel 200m on public road	Only with conditions	Vehicle insurance, registration/license plate if applicable; lighting/marking; record agreements.
New reach truck with rotator	Only after additional training	Specific instructions for machine/preparation; trial period with supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an official forklift license?

Not on your own site; there the employer must be able to demonstrate that the operator is competent. On the public road, a category T licence is required for a forklift that is wider than 1.30 metres or can tow a trailer. The forklift must then also have third-party liability insurance and, where required, a registration plate.

What age can you drive?

Independently from the age of 18. Young people aged 16 and 17 may only drive after training and instruction, and under expert supervision.

Is a forklift certificate mandatory?

Not formally, but it is the usual proof that someone is competent. Employers are obligated to demonstrably organize expertise and safety.

Does this also apply to reach trucks and electric pallet trucks?

Yes: internal transport falls under the same OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) frameworks. Specific machines/attachments require appropriate instruction.

Do I need a category T licence for a forklift?

Only on the public road, and only if the forklift is wider than 1.30 metres (including attachments) or can tow a trailer. A narrower forklift without a trailer does not require a category T licence; the employer must then demonstrate that the operator can drive the forklift, for example with a certificate.

Does a forklift need a registration plate?

Only if it goes on the public road and is wider than 1.30 metres, or tows a trailer. The forklift must then be registered with the RDW and carry a registration plate; the RDW inspects the machine first. On a closed private site, no registration plate is needed. You can read more about this in is a forklift allowed on the public road?

How long is a forklift certificate valid?

The law does not specify a period of validity, because the certificate itself is not mandatory. Many employers schedule refresher training after five years; record this in your risk assessment (RI&E).

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Sources & References

How old do you have to be to drive a forklift?

Driving a forklift independently is allowed from 18, at 16 and 17 only under adequate expert supervision. Under 16 you may not work with machines, except light, non-hazardous work during a work placement under guidance. On public roads the minimum age is 16.

Young worker: under 18 (Working Conditions Decree, art. 1.1).
Age	What is allowed	Rule
Under 16	Up to and including 12: no work; from 13 to 15: only light work, not with or near machines. During a vocational work placement with a placement agreement, 14- and 15-year-olds may do light, non-hazardous work with machines under guidance.	Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet), art. 3:2; Child Labour Regulations (Nadere regeling kinderarbeid), art. 1:1 and 3:1
16 and 17	Only with specific expertise and under adequate expert supervision. If supervision cannot prevent the hazards, it is not allowed.	Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit), art. 1.37 and 7.17c
Public roads	At least 16, even where no licence is required. Category T licence: theory test from 15.5, practical test from 16, with a Health Declaration (Gezondheidsverklaring). Under 18, supervision remains required.	Driving Licences Regulations (Reglement rijbewijzen), art. 5(3); CBR; Working Conditions Decree, art. 1.37

What expert supervision means for 16- and 17-year-olds

The supervisor knows the work well and makes sure the young worker is not at risk and does not create danger (Dutch government). Your risk assessment (RI&E) determines how close the supervision must be, with attention to work experience, work equipment and level of training (Working Conditions Decree, art. 1.36 and 1.37). This also applies to interns (Arboportaal). See also risk assessment for hired forklifts.

What else does the law require of a forklift driver?

Besides specific expertise, the Working Conditions Decree sets requirements such as these for whoever drives the forklift. Practical tips are in working safely with a forklift.

Only employees assigned to use the forklift may drive it (art. 7.6 para. 1).
Passengers may ride only in a specially fitted safe place (art. 7.17c para. 2).
The driver leaves the forklift only once it has stopped and cannot move unexpectedly (art. 7.17c para. 8).

Why the law does not require a forklift certificate

Where the law requires proof of competence, it says so explicitly, as with the Register of Crane Operators (Register kraanmachinisten) for certain cranes and foundation machines (Working Conditions Decree, art. 7.32). The Decree has no such register for forklifts; the open standard of specific expertise applies instead (art. 7.17c para. 1).

Is there a minimum age for the forklift certificate itself?

No. The certificate is not a legal requirement, so the law links no age to it. What counts is the driver's age while working; ask the training provider about its entry age in advance.

Legal texts consulted on 17 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources: Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit), art. 1.1, 1.36, 1.37, 7.6, 7.17c and 7.32 (wetten.overheid.nl, Dutch) · Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet), art. 3:2 (wetten.overheid.nl, Dutch) · Child Labour Regulations (Nadere regeling kinderarbeid), art. 1:1 and 3:1 (wetten.overheid.nl, Dutch) · Driving Licences Regulations (Reglement rijbewijzen), art. 5 (wetten.overheid.nl, Dutch) · Netherlands Labour Authority — Health and safety rules for children and young people (Dutch) · Dutch government — What work may I do at 15? (Dutch) · Dutch government — May I do a work placement at 14 or 15? (Dutch) · Dutch government — What work may I do at 16 or 17? (Dutch) · Arboportaal — Interns (Dutch) · Arboportaal — Use of work equipment (Dutch) · CBR — How do I get a category T licence? (Dutch) · Business.gov.nl — Driving licences

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