Can a C1 driver's license operate a forklift?
2 Answers
C1 driver's license cannot operate a forklift. Here are the relevant details: Reason: C1 is for small vehicles, permissible vehicle types: small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles; light and micro special purpose vehicles, covering C2, C3, and C4. Forklifts belong to engineering special vehicles and require training and certification from the technical supervision department. Vehicles that a C1 license cannot drive: large buses, tractors, city buses, medium buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I can tell you that a C1 license only allows you to drive ordinary sedans or small vans, such as family vehicles commonly seen on highways. Forklifts, on the other hand, are specialized equipment operated in factories or warehouses, completely different from regular cars—they require a dedicated forklift operation certificate to operate. Driving a forklift involves learning how to stabilize loads, make precise turns, and park safely, none of which are covered in C1 license training. Many people mistakenly assume their driver's license is universally applicable, but getting caught operating without the proper certification can result in fines at best, or serious accidents harming yourself or others at worst. My advice is to go ahead and get a forklift certification—it's not difficult to learn, the cost is reasonable, and the practical skills you gain will be highly beneficial for work. Don't cut corners for convenience; safety should always come first.