Forklift training in BC and Ontario: what the rules say

Forklifts, also called lift trucks, move heavy pallets in warehouses, stores, and loading docks. Some warehouse job postings ask for a "forklift licence" or "forklift ticket". That can make it sound like you need a government licence before you apply. You don't.

This guide explains what the safety rules in BC and Ontario actually require, and whether it is worth paying for a course yourself.

We checked these facts on October 12, 2026. Follow the links to the official pages for the latest details.

There is no government forklift licence

BC. WorkSafeBC says forklift operators do not need to be certified, but they must first be trained to the CSA standard (WorkSafeBC). Its guideline adds that operators don't need a certificate to confirm they passed (OHS Guidelines, G16.43(2)).

Ontario. The employer must make sure each operator is competent. Ontario's lift truck guideline says employers may give certificates to help identify competent operators. It doesn't mention any government licence (Ontario guideline).

So when a posting says "forklift licence", it usually means proof of training, such as a card or certificate from a course or a past employer. If you're not sure, ask.

What BC requires

• Training to a set standard. Operator training must meet the CSA lift truck standard, CSA B335-15 (OHS Regulation, section 16.43).
• A test before you drive. You must be trained and pass the test before you operate a forklift. Your employer or an outside trainer can train you (WorkSafeBC).
• Your employer checks you. The employer must make sure you finish training and testing before you are given forklift work. If you say you have past training or experience, the employer must check your references and assess your skills first (OHS Guidelines).
• Refresher training at least every 3 years, and again after an accident caused by operator error.
• Fitness. You must meet the standard's fitness criteria, such as vision, hearing, and movement and coordination. A doctor, nurse, or other qualified person decides this, not you.
• Propane. If you refuel a forklift by moving propane from one container to another, you also need a propane handler's certificate (WorkSafeBC).

What Ontario requires

Ontario's rules for lifting devices apply to forklifts (Ontario guideline). They require the operator to be a competent person, but they don't say how competence must be shown. The employer is responsible for deciding that a worker is competent to operate one (Competency).

Under Ontario's safety law, a competent person has the knowledge, training, and experience to organize the work. The guideline adds that a competent operator should know the safety rules that apply, the hazards in the workplace, and the truck maker's specifications. It also says:

• An operator should show their skills on the truck they will use and in normal workplace conditions.
• Someone with expert knowledge of safe forklift use should check those skills.
• The employer should keep a record of the skills shown, the type of truck, who assessed the operator, and the date.

How old do you have to be?

Neither WorkSafeBC's forklift rules nor Ontario's lift truck guideline sets a separate minimum age for operators. The general age rules for work still apply.

BC. At 16 and older, the regular employment rules apply. At 14 or 15, you can do only "light work", with a parent's written permission, unless the employer has a permit. Operating machinery or equipment that could harm you is not light work (Hiring young people).

Ontario. The minimum age to work in a warehouse or factory is 15. In a store, it is 14 (Minimum age for work).

An employer can still decide not to put young or new workers on a forklift.

Pay for a course yourself, or wait for employer training?

Employer training. Your employer must train or evaluate you before you drive a forklift at work, even if you already took a course. That training is part of the job:

• In BC, training that teaches you to do the job, such as using the employer's tools and equipment, is work and must be paid (BC Employment Standards definitions).
• In Ontario, time spent in training that your employer or the law requires counts as work time (Ontario ESA guide).

A course on your own. A private forklift course can give you practice and something to list on your resume. But it doesn't replace your employer's evaluation, and no law says you must have one before you apply. Prices vary by school.

Before you pay for a course:

• Ask whether it covers the type of forklift used in the jobs you want. There are different kinds, such as sit-down counterbalance trucks and narrow-aisle trucks.
• In BC, ask whether the course follows CSA B335-15.
• Ask how much time you will spend driving a real forklift, not just in a classroom.
• Be careful with any school or "employer" that promises a job if you pay for training.

Stay safe around forklifts

Even if you never drive one, you will probably work near forklifts. Never drive a forklift or powered pallet jack unless you are trained and your employer has approved you. Stay out of marked lanes, and make eye contact with drivers before you walk in front of them. Our warehouse guide has more safety tips.

Next steps

• Warehouse jobs in Metro Vancouver and the GTA
• Learn the work: Warehouse and stocking jobs
• Chemical safety at work: WHMIS training
• Your right to say no to danger: How to refuse unsafe work in BC and Ontario