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Forklift operator training and evaluation record

A forklift operator training and evaluation record is the proof that each driver was trained and then watched driving in your workplace by someone qualified to judge them. In the US, OSHA's powered industrial truck standard, 29 CFR 1910.178(l), asks for training made of formal instruction, practical training and an evaluation in the workplace, refresher training after five named triggers, an evaluation at least once every three years, and a certification naming the operator, the training date, the evaluation date and who trained and evaluated. This template gives you each piece: a one-page record with the training topics, a practical evaluation scoresheet of 22 observed items in seven areas with weights and a pass rule your site sets, a refresher triggers log, and, in the Excel, an operator register that works out the next evaluation date, flags who is due, overdue or waiting on a refresher, and checks that every record names the people the rule asks for. Outside the US, check your own regulation.

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Page 1 of the forklift operator training and evaluation recordOperator fields, truck class boxes I to VII, a table for formal instruction, practical training, the workplace evaluation and the next due date, two topic checklists and signature lines.
Training and evaluation recordTruck and workplace topics22-item practical evaluationWeights and pass rule set by the siteThree-year due datesRefresher triggers logCertificate checkWorked example

When to use it

When to use a forklift operator evaluation record

  • When a new operator finishes training: record the topics, the practical training and the workplace evaluation before they drive on their own.
  • Every month, to see whose three-year evaluation falls due in the next 60 days and book an evaluator in time.
  • After a near miss, an accident, unsafe driving, a poor evaluation, a move to a different type of truck or a change in the workplace: log the trigger and track the refresher to the re-evaluation.
  • Before an OSHA inspection or a customer audit, to show a complete certification for every operator.

How to fill it in

  1. 1

    List your operators and the trucks they drive

    One row per operator on the register, with the truck types they are authorised on. The Excel holds 50. OSHA's eTool groups trucks into classes I to VII; write the class and the model, because a different type of truck is a refresher trigger.

  2. 2

    Record the training on page 1

    Date and trainer for the formal instruction (lecture, video, e-learning, written material) and the practical training (demonstrations and exercises). Tick each truck and workplace topic covered or N/A. Prior training can count for a topic if the operator is then evaluated as competent, 1910.178(l)(5).

  3. 3

    Evaluate in the workplace with the scoresheet

    Watch real work on the operator's own truck and route. Rate each of the 22 items 2 (safe and correct), 1 (needs coaching), 0 (unsafe or not done) or N/A. The Excel totals weight x rating against what was possible and applies your pass rule: the example is 85% and a 2 on every critical item, set by the site, not by OSHA.

  4. 4

    Certify and sign

    Enter the evaluation date, the evaluator and the result on the register. The certificate check flags a record that lacks a training date, the trainer or the evaluator, the contents 1910.178(l)(6) names. Print the record, sign it and keep it with the scoresheet.

  5. 5

    Log every refresher trigger

    Unsafe operation seen, an accident or near miss, an evaluation that shows unsafe driving, a different type of truck, or a workplace change that could affect safe operation. A trigger stays Open until the refresher and the re-evaluation are both dated; the register shows the operator as Refresher open until then.

  6. 6

    Review the register monthly

    Next evaluation = latest evaluation + 36 months. Due means inside the warning window (60 days in the example, so there is time to book an evaluator); Overdue means past the date. Overwrite the evaluation date after every evaluation, so the three years run from the latest one.

What the rule says

What 29 CFR 1910.178(l) asks for, and where it sits in the template

The US federal rule for powered industrial truck operators, read at ecfr.gov on 9 October 2026 and summarised in our words. State plans and other countries set their own rules, so check the one that applies to your site. This page is a record template, not legal advice.

  • Before driving alone

    Paragraph
    (l)(1)(ii), (l)(2)(i)
    In short
    Trained and evaluated first. A trainee drives only under direct supervision of a qualified person and where nobody is endangered.
    In the template
    Register status Not evaluated
  • What training is

    Paragraph
    (l)(2)(ii)
    In short
    Formal instruction, practical training and an evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.
    In the template
    Page 1 training table
  • Who trains and evaluates

    Paragraph
    (l)(2)(iii)
    In short
    People with the knowledge, training and experience to train operators and judge their competence.
    In the template
    Trained by and evaluated by on every record
  • Topics

    Paragraph
    (l)(3)
    In short
    Truck-related and workplace-related topics, except those shown not to apply in your workplace.
    In the template
    Page 1 topic checklist
  • Refresher training

    Paragraph
    (l)(4)(i), (ii)
    In short
    In the relevant topics, with an evaluation of its effectiveness, after unsafe operation, an accident or near miss, a poor evaluation, a different type of truck or a workplace change.
    In the template
    Triggers log, Refresher open status
  • Evaluation interval

    Paragraph
    (l)(4)(iii)
    In short
    Each operator's performance evaluated at least once every three years.
    In the template
    Next evaluation due, Due and Overdue flags
  • Certification

    Paragraph
    (l)(6)
    In short
    The operator's name, the training date, the evaluation date and who did the training or evaluation.
    In the template
    Certificate check and the signed record

What's on the evaluation

The 22 items on the practical evaluation, in seven areas

Each item is something the evaluator watches the operator do, taken from the operating rules in 29 CFR 1910.178 (the paragraph is next to each area). On the sheet each is rated 2 (safe and correct), 1 (needs coaching), 0 (unsafe or not done) or N/A, with a weight and a critical flag your site sets. Add the items your trucks, attachments and site rules need.

Pre-use inspection

29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7), (p)(1)

  1. 1Does the pre-shift check on the truck's own checklist before using it, first with the truck off, then running.
  2. 2Reports any defect and does not use a truck with a condition that affects safe operation.

Travel

29 CFR 1910.178(n)

  1. 3Keeps to the plant speed limits and stays about three truck lengths behind the truck ahead.
  2. 4Slows down and sounds the horn at cross aisles and wherever the view is blocked.
  3. 5Looks in the direction of travel, and drives with the load trailing when it blocks the forward view.
  4. 6On grades over 10 percent, drives loaded with the load upgrade, slowly.

Load handling

29 CFR 1910.178(o), (n)(7)(iii)

  1. 7Checks that the load is stable and within the rated capacity on the data plate before lifting.
  2. 8Puts the forks as far under the load as possible and tilts the mast back to steady it.
  3. 9Travels with the load tilted back and raised only enough to clear the floor.

Stacking and unstacking

29 CFR 1910.178(o)(6)

  1. 10Tilts a raised load forward only when it is over the rack or stack where it goes.
  2. 11Uses only enough back tilt to steady the load when stacking.
  3. 12Squares up to the rack, then sets down and withdraws the forks without striking the rack or the load.

Pedestrian awareness

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(1) to (m)(4)

  1. 13Never drives toward a person standing in front of a bench, rack or other fixed object.
  2. 14Lets nobody stand or pass under the raised forks, loaded or empty.
  3. 15Carries no riders unless the truck has a safe place to ride and riding is authorised.
  4. 16Keeps arms and legs inside the truck and out of the mast.

Parking

29 CFR 1910.178(m)(5), (m)(14)

  1. 17On leaving the truck: forks fully lowered, controls in neutral, power off, brake set.
  2. 18Blocks the wheels when parked on an incline.
  3. 19Parks clear of fire aisles, stairways and fire equipment.

Refuelling or charging

29 CFR 1910.178(g), (p)(2) to (p)(5)

  1. 20Refuels only with the engine off, and cleans up any spill before restarting.
  2. 21Charges or changes batteries only in the charging area, with the truck positioned and the brake set.
  3. 22Keeps smoking, open flames and sparks away from fuelling and battery charging.

A filled-in example

Illustrative, not a benchmark

An example: a made-up warehouse with 12 operators, reviewed on 12 October 2026 with a 60-day warning. Names and dates are illustrative.

The example register on review day

  • OK: 6 operators
  • Due within 60 days: 3 operators
  • Overdue: 1 operator
  • Refresher open: 1 operator
  • Not evaluated: 1 operator

Days until the evaluation is due

  1. Ben B.25 daysdue: book it
  2. Kit K.46 daysdue: book it
  3. Cleo C.53 daysdue: book it
  4. Hana H.64 daysoutside the window

12 operators: 6 OK, 3 due within the 60-day warning, 1 overdue, 1 with a refresher open and 1 not yet evaluated. Days until the evaluation is due: Ben B. 25, Kit K. 46, Cleo C. 53, all inside the 60-day window, and Hana H. 64, just outside it.

Dev D., 24 days overdue, is booked first. Ivo I., moved to a reach truck, scored 52 of 54 points (96.3%) with every critical item at 2: Competent under the example rule.
  • 6 operators are OK. 3 are due within 60 days: Ben B. (25 days), Kit K. (46) and Cleo C. (53). Hana H. is due in 64 days, just outside the window.
  • Dev D.'s evaluation was due on 18 September 2026, so he is 24 days overdue. Gus G. finished formal instruction on 5 October and drives only under supervision until he is evaluated.
  • Eli E. reversed out of a rack bay without looking and a picker had to step back: a near miss logged on 1 October. His refresher is booked, so the trigger has been open 11 days.
  • Ivo I. moved to the narrow-aisle area in June, a different type of truck. After a refresher he scored 52 of 54 points on the reach truck (96.3%) with every critical item at 2, Competent under the example rule. Jun J.'s record names no evaluator, so its certificate check flags it.

The register shows 6 OK, 3 due, 1 overdue, 1 refresher open and 1 not evaluated, with 1 certificate gap. This month the supervisor books Dev D.'s evaluation first, then Ben B., Kit K. and Cleo C., closes Eli E.'s trigger after his re-evaluation, and adds the evaluator's name to Jun J.'s record.

Common mistakes

  • Classroom only

    A video and a quiz are formal instruction, one of three parts. The rule also asks for practical training and an evaluation of the operator driving in your workplace.

  • Waiting three years when something happens

    Three years is the longest gap allowed. A near miss, unsafe driving or a new type of truck calls for refresher training now, and a re-evaluation to close it.

  • A certificate that names nobody

    A wallet card with a date is not enough for a US site: the record names who trained and who evaluated. The certificate check flags the gap.

  • Evaluating in the yard, not the workplace

    An evaluation on an empty test course misses the aisles, ramps, docks and pedestrians the operator meets every shift. Evaluate on their own truck and route.

  • Treating a pass mark as the law

    OSHA sets no score. The weights, critical items and the 85% in the example are site choices; agree them, write them down and use them the same way for everyone.

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Forklift operator training and evaluation record: common questions

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