DOSH Forklift Operator exam-day guide
DOSH Forklift Operator · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo identification
Bring the original government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport, driver's licence, national ID card) that matches the name on your registration. Confirm with the provider which ID types it accepts and whether a photocopy is ever allowed, since this varies by testing centre.
Assessment booking confirmation and candidate number
Print or save the booking confirmation, appointment time, venue address, and any candidate/reference number the provider issued. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital copy is acceptable.
Closed-toe safety footwear
Practical forklift assessment takes place in a warehouse or yard environment. Wear sturdy closed-toe safety shoes or boots with good grip. Confirm with the provider whether it mandates specific footwear standards (e.g., steel toe) or supplies PPE on site.
High-visibility vest and hard hat
Many training yards require hi-vis clothing and head protection for anyone on the floor. The provider usually supplies these, but confirm in advance so you are not turned away for missing PPE.
Comfortable, close-fitting work clothing
Loose sleeves, scarves, or dangling items can snag on controls or the mast. Wear trousers and a fitted top suitable for climbing on and off the machine. Avoid jewellery that could catch.
Any required medical or fitness-to-operate documentation
Some providers ask for a self-declaration or medical clearance before operating. Confirm with the provider what health or eyesight declarations are needed and bring any completed forms.
Corrective eyewear if you need it
If you wear glasses or contact lenses for driving or distance vision, bring them. You must be able to read load charts, capacity plates, and see the assessor's signals clearly.
Refresh your pre-start inspection sequence
Be ready to walk through a documented pre-operational check: forks, mast chains, hydraulic hoses, tyres, horn, lights, seatbelt, brakes, and fluid levels. Practise saying each item aloud as you check it, since assessors often score verbalised checks.
Rehearse the practical manoeuvres
Practise the standard tasks: pre-use inspection, mounting and starting, travelling with and without a load, stacking and de-stacking at height, loading/unloading a vehicle or rack, parking, and shutdown. Confirm with the provider which specific manoeuvres and load weights are used in its assessment.
Know the stability principles
Be able to explain the stability triangle or trapezium, centre of gravity, load centre distance, and why you must not travel with the load raised. These form part of the knowledge assessment and the assessor's verbal questions.
Arrive early and check the venue
Plan to arrive with time to spare for sign-in, induction, and PPE fitting. Confirm the exact gate or reception location with the provider, as industrial estates can be hard to navigate.
Read the provider's candidate instructions
Check the confirmation pack for any rules on mobile phones, recording, spectators, cancellation, or rescheduling. Confirm with the provider if anything is unclear rather than assuming.
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's candidate instructions and confirm the venue, arrival time, and what to bring. Check that your ID is valid and the name matches your booking. Confirm with the provider on PPE, footwear, and any medical declarations.
Do a final study pass on theory: stability principles, load charts, capacity plates, pre-use inspection items, parking and refuelling/recharging procedures, and pedestrian safety rules. Write out the pre-start check sequence from memory.
If you have access to practice equipment, run through the full practical sequence once or twice, focusing on smooth control, observation, and sounding the horn where required. If not, mentally rehearse each manoeuvre in order.
Prepare your kit: ID, booking confirmation, work clothes, safety footwear, and any forms. Pack them the night before so nothing is forgotten. Check travel time and plan a route, allowing extra for traffic or public transport delays.
Get a full night's sleep and avoid alcohol. Eat a normal meal. Practical assessments reward steady, deliberate control rather than speed, so arrive rested and calm.
Eat breakfast, wear your work clothes and safety footwear, and take your ID and confirmation. Arrive at the venue early enough for sign-in and induction. Stay hydrated and avoid rushing.
During induction, listen for site-specific rules: speed limits, pedestrian walkways, horn use, exclusion zones, and emergency procedures. Ask the assessor to clarify anything you do not understand before you start.
Before operating, complete and verbalise the pre-use inspection. Mount using three points of contact, fasten the seatbelt, adjust the seat and mirrors, and check controls and horn. Start and move off only when it is safe.
Perform each manoeuvre steadily: keep the load low and tilted back while travelling, look in the direction of travel, sound the horn at blind corners, and observe pedestrians. Follow the assessor's instructions exactly and stop immediately if told to.
On completion, lower the forks, neutralise controls, apply the parking brake, switch off, remove the key, and dismount using three points of contact. Answer any verbal questions clearly and concisely.
Ask the assessor or provider how and when results will be issued, and what the process is if you need a re-assessment. Confirm with the provider on certificate delivery and any follow-up requirements.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID that matches your registration. If you do not have acceptable ID, you may be refused entry; confirm with the provider which documents it accepts.
Follow all site safety rules and the assessor's instructions at all times. The assessment may be stopped immediately for unsafe behaviour, and the provider's policy on stopping and re-assessment should be confirmed in advance.
Mobile phones, smart watches, and recording devices are commonly restricted in the assessment area. Confirm with the provider where they must be stored and whether any use is permitted.
Breaks and rest periods are set by the provider and may depend on the length of the assessment day. Ask at induction when breaks occur and how to leave the assessment area safely.
Scoring is based on the provider's assessment criteria, which typically cover pre-use inspection, control of the machine, load handling, observation, and knowledge questions. Ask the assessor to explain the pass criteria and any critical errors before you begin.
Do not operate equipment you have not been trained on or authorised to use. If a machine is unfamiliar, tell the assessor before starting; confirm with the provider how unfamiliar equipment is handled.
Spectators, family members, and colleagues are generally not permitted in the assessment area unless the provider allows it. Confirm the provider's visitor policy beforehand.
If you have a medical condition, injury, or medication that could affect safe operation, declare it to the provider before the assessment. Confirm with the provider what declaration or clearance is required.