Forklifts are crucial pieces of equipment in an incredibly wide range of industries, from flooring to warehousing and everything in between. However, OSHA requires that forklift operators be trained and certified before they can operate a forklift. Most credible forklift training programs include a forklift certification test.

Whether you’re interested in starting a rewarding career as a forklift operator or you’re an employer wanting to develop competent operators, there are several things you should know about finding the right forklift certification test.

Is Passing a Forklift Certification Test All That’s Necessary?

It’s important to understand that passing a forklift certification test is not all that’s required. Your employer will likely conduct a forklift operator practical evaluation to ensure that you are capable of operating the forklift safely in a range of situations and scenarios.

What’s a Forklift Certification Test All About?

There are two components involved with becoming a certified forklift operator. First, you’ll need to take standards-compliant forklift training as well as successfully pass a forklift certification test.

Next, as mentioned above, you’ll need to pass a forklift practical evaluation. This should always be completed by your employer on the equipment that you’ll be using on a regular basis.

The point of both the forklift certification test and the practical evaluation is to ensure that you are able to safely operate a forklift. This requires knowledge of many different areas, including the following:

• Loading and load balancing
• Traction on a variety of surfaces
• Fueling and charging
• Operating in areas with foot and/or vehicle traffic
• And many other areas

Online Forklift Certification Test vs. Classroom Training

Finding the right solution for taking a forklift training course and passing the forklift certification test can be daunting. There are many providers out there, all promising to prepare you for the exam and help you earn your certification. One of the major questions you’ll need to answer is whether you should take a forklift certification course and test online or you should complete an instructor-led classroom course.

Which is right for you?

With technology and modern instructional design methods, your best option may be to take the course and forklift certification test online.

Why choose the Internet over an in-person training program, though?

There are plenty of reasons, but one of the most important is convenience. With an online course, you can prepare for the exam when it fits your schedule. That means you can complete the coursework at any time – you’re not required to work at the pace of the class as a whole. You can progress in your training when you finish up work for the day, during the evening, at night, or even first thing in the morning if you want

You’re also not required to travel to another physical location. With an instructor-led classroom experience, you have to travel to the class. That might require a significant amount of time, as well as fuel for your vehicle and additional wear and tear on your car. Then, you’ll need to sit through a class that moves at the pace of the slowest student and then travel back home again when it’s over. You may need to repeat that process over and over until the course is finished.

Instructor-led classroom training can be time-consuming and frustrating and can actually require more time than you might imagine completing the course this way. An online forklift certification test and preparation course is a simpler, faster solution that ensures you’re able to complete your training on your own schedule.

What Should You Look for in an Online Training Provider?

Looking for the best online forklift certification test provider?

While there are plenty of options out there, make sure the one you ultimately choose is OSHA compliant and also provides courses that are designed to the standards set forth in ANSI and CSA publications. Of course, a money-back guarantee is also important, as this proves that the training provided will help you pass the practical evaluation when you take it at a potential employer’s location and speaks volumes as to the quality of the training provided by the organization in question.