My licence has expired. How do I renew it?
In short, you don't. First of all, a licence by it's very nature suggests an automatic entitlement to drive. What you are referring to is most probably a certificate. A certificate should have no expiry date. The date you were trained or last tested along with the machine details are the important pieces of information and they don't expire. Prospective employers may very well consider the certificate 'expired' if it does not comply with their refresher / test intervals.
I have a counterbalance certificate but I am applying for a job driving a reach truck. Will my certificate cover me?
Unfortunately not. Counterbalance and Reach Trucks are classified as different machines with different operating procedures and handling characteristics. However, because you are already certificated on one machine you need only undertake conversion training to enable you to drive the reach truck.
How often do I have to sit a refresher / test?
The HSE publication: Workplace Transport Safety recommends a refresher interval of between 3 and 5 years. There is no set frequency for refresher training in legislation. The Code of Practice (L117) advises that employers should continuously monitor the performance of operators to ascertain whether they might need refresher training. Although employers are free to set refresher training intervals, they should not neglect their operators for the intervening periods.
Do my employees need a certificate to use an Electric Pallet Truck?
Yes. The pallet truck is classed as work equipment so the PUWER regulations will apply. According to the regulations your operators should be trained and the certificate provides the documentary evidence that the training has been done and the operators are competent.
I have a certificate for a 3t Counterbalance Truck. Will this allow me to operate a 7t Truck?
Unfortunately not. ITSSAR and RTITB have different size categories for Counterbalance Trucks. ITSSAR for example have 3 size categories:
- Up to and including 5 tonne
- Over 5 tonne up to and including 15 tonne
- Over 15 tonne
To enable you to drive a Counterbalance of greater capacity you will need to undertake additional training.