Forklift Certification: Online vs. Offline

July 27, 2013

Forklift Certification: Online vs. Offline When it comes to forklift certification operation, you may have heard that there are online and offline courses. The question then becomes: which one is right for you? There are pros and cons to each side, so we will examine them so you can determine which one will work best for you.

Offline

These courses are usually offered through your local trade school and will be held on campus. Your teacher will walk the class through the course curriculum, which will cover OSHA requirements and safety procedures. You will likely then have time for questions and discussion. Once you have gone over your curriculum, you will have to take a written exam.

After that, you will proceed to get some hands-on experience with the forklift. The instructor will go over the controls and proper use with the class. Before you leave, everyone gets a chance to drive the vehicle for additional testing. You will have to successfully navigate through a small obstacle course and safely use the lift to transport objects.

If you complete the course successfully, you will then get your certification, which will be mailed to you in a couple of weeks. The class generally takes about 6 hours to complete and costs around $150.

Online

Online classes are a very simple process. You buy the course, review the curriculum as you have the time, and take the written test when you are finished. Once you have passed the written test, you can immediately print out your certificate verifying that you have passed. Then, your employer will administer the driving test.

Our current course-costs start as low as $38 and it takes just a few hours to complete. You cover all the same material as a traditional class, you meet all of OSHA’s guidelines course, and your license is good for three years. If you do not pass the first time, you can continue to take the exam until you do without further expense.

Online=1

Offline=0

Clearly, the price and convenience of the online course makes this the obvious winner.