Can a B2 Driver's License Operate a Forklift?
2 Answers
No. Here is relevant information about the B2 driver's license: The vehicle types permitted under a B2 license are heavy and medium-duty trucks or large, heavy, and medium-sized special-purpose vehicles. Heavy and medium-duty trucks are primarily trucks. Large, heavy, and medium-sized special-purpose vehicles refer to vehicles equipped with specialized devices or equipment, such as water sprinklers, concrete mixers, fire trucks, etc. Other vehicle types permitted under a B2 license include C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed trucks), C4 (three-wheeled cars), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery), which is the same as the B1 license.
I just got my B2 driver's license last year and thought I could operate a forklift, so I went to help out at the warehouse, only to be warned. A B2 license only allows you to drive large trucks and medium-to-heavy-duty trucks, while forklifts are classified as special equipment and require a dedicated forklift operation certificate. According to the "Special Equipment Safety Law," forklift operators must hold a certificate issued by the Quality Supervision Bureau—otherwise, it’s considered unlicensed operation and can result in fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of yuan. My friend was fined and even lost his job for trying to cut corners. Getting a forklift certificate is actually simple—just sign up with a training institution, spend a few days learning theory and hands-on skills, focusing on balance and handling techniques. Don’t make the same mistake I did—safety comes first. Operating a forklift without proper training can easily lead to tipping and injuries.
