Yes, you can drive a forklift on the road, but you must have insurance that validates driving your forklift on public roads, tax your forklift accordingly, submit a V55/5 form, and ensure the forklift is roadworthy. There are exemptions for forklifts transporting goods no more than 914 meters between working premises, classed as work trucks. However, failure to thoroughly comply with the intended use of your forklift in line with the road’s rules and regulations can incur fines and legal penalties. So, you must declare your intention to drive your forklift on the road to the relevant governing authorities before doing so.
Does a Forklift Need to Be DVLA Registered to Drive on the Road?
Forklifts are categorised as mechanically propelled vehicles under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994, so they must be registered with the DVLA when driving on public roads. This regulation dictates that your forklift needs to be DVLA-registered, possess a valid number plate, and be taxed for Vehicle Excise Duty. It is important to note that declarations to the DVLA are unnecessary when the forklift is operated only on private land.
What is Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) Tax?
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) tax is legally mandated for public-road-operated vehicles in the UK, encompassing all vehicle types, including forklift trucks. The cost of your VED tax will depend on the date on which the vehicle was first registered, its calculated CO2 emissions, and fuel type. Until April 2025, electric vehicles were exempt from paying VED Tax, but this is no longer the case. Therefore, if you intend to operate your vehicle on public roads, you must have VED tax, which will only be available with valid forklift insurance.
What Kind of Insurance Do I Need to Operate My Forklift on Public Roads?
The type of insurance you need to drive your forklift on the road depends on the level of cover you require, and the general and specialist uses of your vehicle.
- Third-Party Road Risks Insurance – This is the minimum insurance you need to legally operate any vehicle on a public road. It covers you for injury or death to a third party and property damage while operating your forklift.
- Comprehensive Forklift Insurance – This is a more extensive policy that legally protects you, third parties, and your forklift. It covers the cost of repairing or replacing your forklift in the event of an accident, theft, or fire damage, regardless of who is at fault.
- Public Liability Insurance – Although this type of insurance isn’t necessarily required for road use, it protects you from claims made by the public who sustain injuries or damage to their property while you operate your forklift.
- Employers’ Liability Insurance – If you have employees operating your forklifts, you must have Employer’s liability insurance to protect your business from claims made by your employees in the event of injury while operating.
- Specialist “Plant and Machinery” Insurance – These policies are designed to cover the unique risks associated with operating construction, lifting, and agricultural equipment.
When you receive your insurance quote, ensure your policy explicitly includes road risks or auto-liability elements, as these will cover you for accidents on public roads. Standard public liability and business policies do not protect you from these situations.
Regardless of your forklift truck’s potential exemption as a work truck, insuring your vehicle for road use is still necessary.
What Makes a Forklift a Work Truck?
A forklift is considered a work truck under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 when it is primarily designed for private premises and used on the road in limited capacity. A work truck may only be used on the road when delivering goods within 914 meters to or from private premises, to or from another vehicle on the road, or in connection with road works.
What is a V55/5 Form?
A V55/5 form is a legal document issued by the DVLA in the UK, registering and taxing a used vehicle for the first time. V55/5 forms are required for recently imported and previously registered vehicles, modified vehicles, and vehicles never before registered in the UK.
When applying for a V55/5 form, you must provide information regarding:
- The vehicle’s details – Manufacturer, model, body type, colour, engine size, fuel type, Vehicle Identification Number.
- Previous registration details – When the vehicle was previously registered in another country.
- Personal information – Your name, address, and date of birth.
- Proof of Identity – UK photocard license, passport, and recent utility bills.
- Vehicle Tax and Registration information – To calculate the VED.
- Proof of Insurance – to calculate the VED.
Vehicle documentation – Eg, a valid Thorough Examination certificate, original foreign registration document.
Can I Drive a Forklift on the Road?
You can drive a forklift on the road if you hold a full UK driving license, have completed a recognised forklift operator training course, and are at least 17 years of age. Depending on the forklift’s weight and load, there may be additional age requirements to operate it on the road.
What are the Requirements of a Forklift to Drive on the Road?
A forklift must be safe and roadworthy, display legible and valid registration plates, and have appropriate lighting for use on public roads.
- The roadworthiness of your vehicle is verified by a Thorough Examination, which is the forklift equivalent of an MOT test.
- The lighting for a forklift for road use includes: Front and rear position lamps, rear retro-reflectors, and an amber flashing beacon if the vehicle’s speed stays within 25mph at all times. If your forklift exceeds speeds of 25mph while operating, dipped-beam headlamps, direction indicators, and brake lights are necessary.
Once you address each of the requirements laid out in this article, you can legally drive your forklift on the road.
