How much does a forklift weigh?
More than it can lift. According to the Hyundai datasheets, a 1.5 tonne forklift from our range weighs 2,691 kg (LPG, 15L-7M) or 3,118 kg (electric, 15BT-9U), and the 12 tonne electric 120B-X weighs 16,160 kg. For the trailer, the driving licence and load securing, calculate with the forklift's own weight, not with its lifting capacity.
At the same lifting capacity, the weight differs by drive type: the electric 25BE-X weighs 4,484 kg, the diesel 25D-9V 3,871 kg, both rated at 2.5 tonnes. An electric pallet truck is much lighter: the 20EP-X weighs 535 kg.
| Machine | Lifting capacity | Drive type | Service weight | Width | Mast height, lowered | Daily rate from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPG forklift 1.5 tonnes | 1,500 kg | LPG | 2,691 kg | 1,070 mm | 2,155 mm | €70 |
| Electric forklift 1.5 ton (ideal for narrow spaces) | 1,500 kg | Electric | 3,118 kg | 1,074 mm | 2,120 mm | €75 |
| 2.5 ton diesel forklift | 2,500 kg | Diesel | 3,871 kg | 1,200 mm | 2,175 mm | €75 |
| Electric forklift 2.5 tonnes | 2,500 kg | Electric | 4,484 kg | 1,215 mm | 2,040 mm | €85 |
| Electric forklift 3.5 tonnes | 3,500 kg | Electric | 5,272 kg | 1,215 mm | 2,040 mm | €105 |
| Electric forklift 6 tonnes | 6,000 kg | Electric | 9,704 kg | 2,088 mm | 2,515 mm | on request |
| Electric forklift 12 tonnes | 12,000 kg | Electric | 16,160 kg | 2,450 mm | 3,150 mm | on request |
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.
Which driving licence and which trailer do you need?
In the Netherlands that depends on the maximum authorised mass: unladen weight plus payload. With a category BE licence, a trailer behind a car may be no more than 3,500 kg with the forklift on it. A heavier forklift goes on a lorry (licence C1 or C, with a trailer or semi-trailer C1E or CE).
| Licence | What you may drive | Worked example |
|---|---|---|
| B | Trailer up to 750 kg; heavier if car plus trailer is no more than 3,500 kg | 809 kg left for car and empty trailer combined |
| B+ (code 96) | Car plus trailer up to 4,250 kg | 1,559 kg left for car and empty trailer combined |
| BE | Trailer up to 3,500 kg | 809 kg left for the empty trailer; 3,871 kg (2.5 tonne diesel) does not fit |
| C1 and C1E | Lorry from 3,500 to 7,500 kg; C1E: plus a trailer over 750 kg, up to 12,000 kg combined | Too tight for 9,704 kg (60B-X) |
| C and CE | Lorry over 3,500 kg; CE: plus a trailer or semi-trailer over 750 kg | For heavy forklifts, such as 9,704 kg (60B-X) and 16,160 kg (120B-X) |
How much your car may tow is shown on the back of the registration certificate under O.1 (braked trailer). A trailer over 750 kg has its own registration; its payload is the maximum authorised mass (F.2) minus the mass in running order (G), and it must be at least the weight of the forklift.
How do you secure a forklift on a trailer or lorry?
So that it cannot fall off the vehicle under full braking, sudden swerving or on a poor road surface. Under the Dutch Vehicle Regulations (Regeling voertuigen, article 5.18.6), the secured load must be able to withstand a force of 0.8 times its weight forwards, 0.5 times sideways (0.6 where there is a risk of tipping) and 0.5 times backwards.
For the 25BE-X at 4,484 kg, that means a forward force equal to the weight of 3,587 kg. According to the explanatory notes to the regulation, friction between the load and the loading floor counts towards this (values from NEN-EN 12195-1:2010, lower with sand, mud, ice or grease). The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) places responsibility for the load with the driver and the shipper; the driver checks it before and during the journey.
Height and width
Without an exemption, a vehicle including its load may be no higher than 4.00 m and the vehicle itself no wider than 2.55 m; an indivisible load such as a forklift may be up to 3.00 m wide on a commercial vehicle (also with a trailer or semi-trailer). For the height, add the loading floor to the forklift in travel position: according to the datasheet, the lowered mast of the 120B-X is already 3,150 mm high. If the transport does not fit within these limits, an RDW exemption for abnormal transport is required.
Driving on and off
Driving on and off means operating the forklift, and under the Dutch Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit, article 7.17c) only an employee with specific expertise may do that. See who may operate a forklift and, if the forklift has to go onto the public road, registration and licence on the public road.
What is a truck-mounted forklift?
A truck-mounted forklift travels with the lorry, so that loading and unloading can be done at the delivery point itself. The Dutch Vehicle Regulations describe it as a motor vehicle with limited speed or mobile machine, without a load space, fitted with a lifting device, that can be used independently for loading and unloading.
During the journey it must be properly attached to the vehicle with suitable fastening and securing systems (Regeling voertuigen, article 5.18.6, paragraph 4). Truck-mounted forklifts are not part of our rental range: we bring the rental forklift to your site and unload it there.
How transport works when you hire from us
Do I need to arrange a trailer or a driving licence myself when I hire?
No. We arrange transport there and back, throughout the Netherlands from Heijningen; see delivery and collection of your rental forklift. Transport costs are listed separately in the quotation and we agree the delivery date with you. You will receive a response to your quotation request within one working day.
Do you also deliver heavy forklifts?
Yes: electric up to 18 tonnes and diesel up to 30 tonnes. From 4 tonnes the price is on request; see heavy forklifts up to 30 tonnes.
Summarised from Dutch legislation and information from RDW, CBR, the Dutch government and ILT, as of October 2026.
Sources: Dutch government: Which licence do I need to drive with a trailer, semi-trailer or caravan behind my car? (Dutch) · Dutch government: Which licence do I need to drive a lorry? (Dutch) · RDW: Driving licence categories (Dutch) · CBR: Do I need a car-and-trailer (BE) licence? (Dutch) · RDW: Details on the registration certificate (Dutch) · Dutch government: Which number plate do I need for my trailer or caravan? (Dutch) · RDW: Changing the weight of your vehicle (towing weight under O.1 and O.2) (Dutch) · Dutch Vehicle Regulations, article 5.18.6 (load securing) (Dutch) · Government Gazette 2013, 26590: amendment of the Vehicle Regulations on load securing, with explanatory notes (Dutch) · NEN-EN 12195-1:2010 Load restraining on road vehicles, part 1: calculation of securing forces · ILT: Securing the load (Dutch) · RDW: Overview of dimensions and weights in the Netherlands (version 2025-01, pdf, Dutch) · RDW: Applying for an incidental exemption for abnormal transport (Dutch) · Dutch Working Conditions Decree, article 7.17c (use of mobile work equipment) (Dutch) · Dutch Vehicle Regulations, article 1.1 (definition of a truck-mounted forklift) (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
Forklift overview
Need a forklift yourself?
Request a no-obligation quote — you will receive a competitive rental price tailored to your needs.

