OSHA Forklift Operator Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   Before driving over a dockboard, what must be done?

   • ASound the horn three times
   • BDrive over at full speed
   • CRaise the forks to full height
   • DMake sure it is properly secured
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Make sure it is properly secured

   1910.178(n)(11) says dockboards or bridgeplates must be properly secured before they are driven over.

2. Question 2 of 25

   Which is the safe way to turn a forklift?

   • ATurn with the forks raised high
   • BTurn while on a ramp
   • CTurn sharply at full speed
   • DSlow down and turn the wheel smoothly, watching the rear swing
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Slow down and turn the wheel smoothly, watching the rear swing

   The eTool says to reduce speed, turn in a smooth sweeping motion, expect the rear to swing wide, and never turn on a grade.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does the standard say about stunt driving and horseplay on a forklift?

   • AThey are allowed in empty aisles
   • BThey are not permitted
   • CThey are allowed for training
   • DThey are allowed during breaks
   Show answer

   Answer: B. They are not permitted

   1910.178(n)(9) says stunt driving and horseplay shall not be permitted, because they cause crashes and tip-overs.

4. Question 4 of 25

   When is a forklift considered unattended?

   • AWhen it has been parked for 1 hour
   • BWhen the operator is 25 feet or more away, or leaves it and it is out of view
   • CWhen the engine is running
   • DWhen the forks are raised
   Show answer

   Answer: B. When the operator is 25 feet or more away, or leaves it and it is out of view

   1910.178(m)(5)(ii) says a truck is unattended when the operator is 25 feet or more away, or leaves it and it is not in view.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You leave a forklift unattended. What must you do?

   • ARaise the forks to keep them out of the way
   • BLeave it running so it is ready
   • CLower the forks fully, neutralize the controls, shut off power and set the brakes
   • DLeave the key in it for the next driver
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Lower the forks fully, neutralize the controls, shut off power and set the brakes

   1910.178(m)(5)(i) says the load engaging means is fully lowered, controls neutralized, power shut off and brakes set; block the wheels on an incline.

6. Question 6 of 25

   You step off the forklift but stay within 25 feet and can still see it. What must you do?

   • ALeave it in gear
   • BFully lower the forks, neutralize the controls and set the brakes
   • CNothing at all
   • DRaise the forks
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Fully lower the forks, neutralize the controls and set the brakes

   1910.178(m)(5)(iii) requires the forks to be fully lowered, controls neutralized and brakes set even when the operator is nearby.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A forklift is parked on an incline and left unattended. What extra step is needed?

   • APoint it downhill
   • BTurn on the hazard lights only
   • CBlock the wheels
   • DRaise the forks
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Block the wheels

   1910.178(m)(5)(i) says wheels shall be blocked if the truck is parked on an incline, in addition to the other parking steps.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You will drive a forklift onto a trailer to load it. What must be in place first?

   • AOnly a spotter
   • BThe trailer brakes set and wheel blocks in place
   • CThe trailer engine running
   • DOnly the dock lights on
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The trailer brakes set and wheel blocks in place

   1910.178(m)(7) says brakes must be set and wheel blocks used to keep trucks, trailers or railroad cars from moving during loading.

9. Question 9 of 25

   May a person stand under the raised forks of an empty forklift?

   • AYes, if the forks are empty
   • BNo, no one may stand or pass under the elevated part of a truck, loaded or empty
   • CYes, if the engine is off
   • DYes, for a quick moment
   Show answer

   Answer: B. No, no one may stand or pass under the elevated part of a truck, loaded or empty

   1910.178(m)(2) says no person shall stand or pass under the elevated portion of any truck, whether loaded or empty.

10. Question 10 of 25

    A coworker asks for a ride on the forklift. What does the standard say?

    • AUnauthorized people may not ride; a safe place must be provided where riding is allowed
    • BRiders may stand on the counterweight
    • CAnyone may ride on the forks
    • DRiders are fine for short trips
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Unauthorized people may not ride; a safe place must be provided where riding is allowed

    1910.178(m)(3) bans unauthorized personnel from riding, and requires a safe place to ride where riding is authorized.

11. Question 11 of 25

    A sit-down counterbalanced forklift starts to tip over. What should the operator do?

    • ARaise the forks
    • BStay in the seat, hold the wheel, brace the feet and lean away from the impact
    • CJump out quickly
    • DStand up and grab the overhead guard
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stay in the seat, hold the wheel, brace the feet and lean away from the impact

    The eTool says do not jump; stay in the forklift, hold the steering wheel, brace your feet and lean away from the impact.

12. Question 12 of 25

    You must drive past a worker standing in front of a workbench. What does the standard say?

    • ADo not drive the truck up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object
    • BRaise the forks over their head
    • CDrive close to them to save space
    • DSound the horn and drive toward them
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Do not drive the truck up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object

    1910.178(m)(1) says trucks shall not be driven up to anyone standing in front of a bench or other fixed object.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Where should you sound the horn when driving a forklift?

    • AOnly in the parking lot
    • BAt blind corners, doorways and aisle openings
    • CNever, horns startle people
    • DOnly when you are angry
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At blind corners, doorways and aisle openings

    The eTool says to sound the horn at blind corners, doorways and aisles to warn pedestrians you are coming.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does OSHA's eTool suggest you do when possible with nearby pedestrians?

    • AWave them onto the forks
    • BMake eye contact with them
    • CIgnore them and keep going
    • DDrive faster to get past
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Make eye contact with them

    The eTool says that when possible, operators should make eye contact with pedestrians or other forklift operators.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You cannot see an area behind a rack. What should you use?

    • AThe forks to feel the way
    • BA faster speed
    • CA spotter
    • DYour memory of the area
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A spotter

    The eTool says not to move the truck without a clear view of travel and to use a spotter for blind spots.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Where should pedestrians walk in a forklift area?

    • AUnder raised loads, if quick
    • BClose beside the moving forklift
    • COn pedestrian walkways, or to one side of equipment aisles
    • DIn the middle of the aisle
    Show answer

    Answer: C. On pedestrian walkways, or to one side of equipment aisles

    The eTool tells pedestrians to stand clear of trucks and use walkways or stay to one side of equipment aisles.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What can safety managers install at blind aisle intersections to help drivers and pedestrians?

    • ASpeed bumps on every aisle
    • BExtra shelves
    • CConvex mirrors
    • DDarker lighting
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Convex mirrors

    The eTool recommends convex mirrors at blind aisle intersections so drivers and pedestrians can see each other.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What must you do before filling a forklift's fuel tank?

    • AKeep the engine running
    • BStop the engine
    • CTurn on the radio
    • DRaise the forks
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stop the engine

    1910.178(p)(2) says fuel tanks shall not be filled while the engine is running, because of the fire risk.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Where should gasoline or diesel forklifts be refueled?

    • AOnly at designated safe locations, with no smoking
    • BAnywhere in the warehouse
    • CInside a closed storeroom
    • DNext to the battery charging area
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Only at designated safe locations, with no smoking

    The eTool says to refuel only at designated safe locations and not to smoke while refueling.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Why should LPG forklifts not be refueled in confined areas?

    • ALPG has no fire risk
    • BLPG vapor is heavier than air and can collect in low areas if a leak occurs
    • CLPG makes the forks weak
    • DLPG is lighter than air and rises away
    Show answer

    Answer: B. LPG vapor is heavier than air and can collect in low areas if a leak occurs

    The eTool says LPG vapor is heavier than air and can collect where it may ignite, so do not refuel in confined areas.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Who should replace LPG containers on a forklift?

    • AThe newest employee
    • BOnly trained and authorized personnel
    • CVisitors
    • DAny worker nearby
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only trained and authorized personnel

    The eTool says only trained and authorized personnel should replace LPG containers on forklifts.

22. Question 22 of 25

    When mixing electrolyte for a battery, which is correct?

    • APour acid into water, never water into acid
    • BHeat the water first
    • CMix them in any order
    • DPour water into acid
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pour acid into water, never water into acid

    1910.178(g)(7) says acid shall be poured into water and water shall not be poured into acid.

23. Question 23 of 25

    Which rule applies in the battery charging area?

    • ASmoking is allowed during breaks
    • BSmoking is allowed outside the forklift only
    • CSmoking is allowed if the door is open
    • DSmoking is prohibited
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Smoking is prohibited

    1910.178(g)(10) says smoking shall be prohibited in the charging area, because hydrogen gas can explode.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What facilities must be provided where batteries are changed or charged?

    • AA second forklift
    • BA vending machine
    • CWays to flush and neutralize spilled electrolyte, and good ventilation
    • DA break room
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Ways to flush and neutralize spilled electrolyte, and good ventilation

    1910.178(g)(2) requires facilities for flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte and ventilation for fumes from gassing batteries.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Why should the battery cover be open during charging?

    • ATo check the radio
    • BTo keep dust out
    • CTo let heat and hydrogen gas escape
    • DTo make the battery charge faster
    Show answer

    Answer: C. To let heat and hydrogen gas escape

    The standard says covers must be open to dissipate heat, and the eTool says this lets hydrogen escape so it does not build up.

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.