OSHA Forklift Operator Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   Before an employee may operate a forklift on the job (other than in training), what must the employer make sure of?

   • AThe employee has finished the required training and evaluation
   • BThe employee has ridden on a forklift before and watched others drive
   • CThe employee has a state driver's license
   • DThe employee has watched a video at home
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The employee has finished the required training and evaluation

   Under 1910.178(l)(1), the employer must ensure each operator has successfully completed the required training and evaluation before operating a truck.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What three parts must forklift operator training include?

   • AFormal instruction, practical training and an evaluation in the workplace
   • BOnline lessons only
   • CA safety video, a written test and a road test on a public street with an examiner
   • DReading the manual, a quiz and a signature
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Formal instruction, practical training and an evaluation in the workplace

   1910.178(l)(2)(ii) says training is a combination of formal instruction, practical training and an evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A trainee wants to practice driving a forklift. When is this allowed?

   • AOnly after the trainee passes a written exam and the three-year performance evaluation
   • BAny time the trainee feels ready
   • COnly on public roads
   • DOnly under direct supervision by a qualified person, where no one is endangered
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   Answer: D. Only under direct supervision by a qualified person, where no one is endangered

   1910.178(l)(2)(i) lets trainees operate only under direct supervision of qualified persons and where operation does not endanger the trainee or others.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Who may train and evaluate forklift operators?

   • AAny coworker who has driven a forklift at the company for at least one full year
   • BPeople with the knowledge, training and experience to train and judge operators
   • COnly the forklift dealer
   • DOnly OSHA inspectors
   Show answer

   Answer: B. People with the knowledge, training and experience to train and judge operators

   1910.178(l)(2)(iii) says training and evaluation must be done by persons with the knowledge, training and experience to train operators and evaluate them.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How often must each forklift operator's performance be evaluated?

   • AAt least once every five years
   • BOnly once, at hiring
   • CAt least once every calendar year
   • DAt least once every three years
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   Answer: D. At least once every three years

   1910.178(l)(4)(iii) requires an evaluation of each operator's performance at least once every three years.

6. Question 6 of 25

   An operator is seen speeding through a warehouse aisle. What does OSHA require?

   • ARefresher training, with an evaluation that it worked
   • BA new driver's license
   • CA written warning only
   • DNothing until the operator's next three-year evaluation is due
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Refresher training, with an evaluation that it worked

   Refresher training is required when an operator has been observed operating the truck in an unsafe manner.

7. Question 7 of 25

   An operator is involved in a near-miss incident with a pedestrian. What must happen?

   • AThe operator must receive refresher training
   • BNothing, because no one was hurt
   • CThe forklift must be sold
   • DThe pedestrian must be retrained, but not the operator
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   Answer: A. The operator must receive refresher training

   1910.178(l)(4)(ii) lists an accident or a near-miss incident as a trigger for refresher training.

8. Question 8 of 25

   An operator trained on a sit-down counterbalanced truck is assigned to a different type of truck. What is required?

   • AA medical exam
   • BRefresher training on the new type of truck
   • CNothing, any forklift license covers all trucks
   • DOnly a quick look at the new truck
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   Answer: B. Refresher training on the new type of truck

   Being assigned to drive a different type of truck is one of the refresher training triggers in the standard.

9. Question 9 of 25

   The warehouse floor layout changes in a way that could affect safe forklift operation. What does the standard require?

   • ANo training, because the operator already passed
   • BA new forklift
   • CRefresher training in the relevant topics
   • DTraining only for supervisors
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Refresher training in the relevant topics

   A change in a workplace condition that could affect safe operation of the truck triggers refresher training for the operator.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What must the employer's operator certification include?

    • AThe operator's home address, date of birth, and state driver's license number and class
    • BThe operator's name, training date, evaluation date and who trained or evaluated
    • CThe operator's driving record
    • DThe forklift's purchase price
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The operator's name, training date, evaluation date and who trained or evaluated

    1910.178(l)(6) says the certification includes the operator's name, the dates of training and evaluation, and the identity of the trainer or evaluator.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Which is a truck-related topic that operator training must cover?

    • AStability, capacity and refueling or charging
    • BThe company's vacation policy and how to request time off
    • CSales prices of forklifts
    • DHow to fix the truck's engine
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    Answer: A. Stability, capacity and refueling or charging

    Truck-related topics include operating instructions, controls, visibility, capacity, stability, inspection and refueling or charging, among others.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which is a workplace-related topic that operator training must cover?

    • APedestrian traffic, narrow aisles, ramps and ventilation
    • BCustomer service skills and how to answer the phone politely
    • CThe history of the forklift
    • DOffice computer use
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pedestrian traffic, narrow aisles, ramps and ventilation

    Workplace-related topics include surface conditions, load stability, pedestrian traffic, narrow aisles, hazardous locations, ramps and exhaust buildup.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Under federal child labor rules, can a 17-year-old operate a forklift in a nonagricultural job?

    • ANo, workers under 18 may not operate forklifts in these jobs
    • BYes, if the forklift is electric
    • CYes, after one week of training and a signed permit from the school
    • DYes, with a parent's permission
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No, workers under 18 may not operate forklifts in these jobs

    Hazardous Occupations Order No. 7 bans minors under 18 from operating, riding on or helping to operate most power-driven hoisting apparatus such as forklifts.

14. Question 14 of 25

    According to OSHA's forklift eTool, who is it a violation of federal law to let operate a forklift?

    • AOnly part-time workers
    • BOnly people who do not hold a valid state driver's license for a car or a truck
    • COnly workers over 65
    • DAnyone under 18, and anyone over 18 who is not properly trained and certified
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Anyone under 18, and anyone over 18 who is not properly trained and certified

    The eTool says it is a violation of federal law for anyone under 18 to operate a forklift, or for anyone over 18 who is not trained and certified.

15. Question 15 of 25

    How often must a forklift be examined before it is placed in service?

    • AOnce a year
    • BOnce every week
    • CAt least daily
    • DOnce a month
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least daily

    1910.178(q)(7) requires trucks to be examined before being placed in service, and the examination must be made at least daily.

16. Question 16 of 25

    A forklift is used around the clock on three shifts. How often must it be examined?

    • AOnce a day only
    • BAfter each shift
    • COnly when it breaks down
    • DOnce a week
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    Answer: B. After each shift

    When trucks are used round the clock, OSHA requires them to be examined after each shift.

17. Question 17 of 25

    During your pre-shift check, you find the brakes are weak. What should you do?

    • ADrive slowly for the rest of the shift
    • BRemove the truck from service and report it
    • CFinish the shift and report the problem to maintenance tomorrow
    • DUse the forks to help you stop
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Remove the truck from service and report it

    A truck in need of repair, defective or unsafe must be taken out of service until it is restored to safe operating condition.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Which item is part of the visual check, done with the key off?

    • AForward and reverse drive
    • BHoist and tilt controls, with the mast raised
    • CThe horn and the lights
    • DTires, fluid levels, leaks and the forks
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Tires, fluid levels, leaks and the forks

    The eTool lists fluid levels, leaks, tire condition, forks, load backrest and decals as visual checks done with the key off.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Which item is part of the operational check, done with the engine running?

    • ABrakes, steering, horn and lift controls
    • BTire tread depth
    • CCracks in the mast chains
    • DWhether the operator manual is stored on board
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Brakes, steering, horn and lift controls

    The eTool lists brakes, steering, drive, tilt and hoist controls, horn, lights and back-up alarm as operational checks.

20. Question 20 of 25

    The forklift's nameplate is missing. Can the truck be operated?

    • AYes, for light loads only
    • BYes, if a supervisor signs off
    • CYes, if the operator remembers the capacity from the last time they drove it
    • DNo, a truck with a missing or unreadable nameplate should not be operated
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No, a truck with a missing or unreadable nameplate should not be operated

    The eTool says the nameplate must be legible, and a truck with an illegible or missing nameplate should not be operated.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What forms the stability triangle on a typical counterbalanced forklift?

    • AThe four wheels and the mast
    • BThe forks, the mast and the counterweight
    • CThe two front wheels and the pivot point of the rear steer axle
    • DThe operator's seat, the steering wheel and the tips of the two forks
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The two front wheels and the pivot point of the rear steer axle

    Appendix A explains that the front wheels and the center pivot of the steer axle form a three-point support called the stability triangle.

22. Question 22 of 25

    Where must the combined center of gravity of the truck and load stay to keep the truck stable?

    • AOutside the triangle, toward the load
    • BBehind the rear wheels
    • CInside the stability triangle
    • DAbove the forks
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Inside the stability triangle

    Appendix A says the truck is stable and will not tip over while the combined center of gravity stays within the stability triangle.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What is the load center?

    • AThe total weight of the heaviest box on the pallet, measured in pounds
    • BThe horizontal distance from the load's edge to its center of gravity
    • CThe height of the mast
    • DThe middle of the warehouse
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The horizontal distance from the load's edge to its center of gravity

    Appendix A defines the load center as the horizontal distance from the edge of the load to a vertical line through its center of gravity.

24. Question 24 of 25

    At what load center are many forklifts rated?

    • A48 inches
    • B12 inches
    • C60 inches
    • D24 inches
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 24 inches

    The eTool says forklifts are designed to carry a capacity load at a standard load center, commonly 24 inches.

25. Question 25 of 25

    A load's center is farther out than the rated load center on the data plate. What happens to the safe capacity?

    • AIt goes up
    • BIt stays the same
    • CIt doubles
    • DIt goes down
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It goes down

    The stated capacity applies only at the rated load center, so a longer load center reduces the weight the truck can safely carry.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: No OSHA exam. Your employer, or a qualified trainer it uses, evaluates your performance in the workplace and certifies you.