Can an M Driver's License Operate a Forklift?
2 Answers
M Driver's License can operate a forklift. An M Driver's License allows driving wheeled self-propelled machinery. Below is relevant information about forklifts: 1. According to the 'Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles' regarding wheeled special-purpose machinery: These include engineering machinery with special structures and dedicated functions, equipped with rubber tires for self-propulsion, and a maximum design speed exceeding 20km/h, such as loaders, graders, excavators, forklifts, bulldozers, etc., but excluding forklift trucks. 2. No Operation Certificate Required: Forklifts currently do not require an operation certificate, hence no examination is needed. Since 2012, construction machinery has been removed from the special equipment catalog (except for a few types like tower cranes, construction elevators, and overhead cranes). Currently, most construction machinery like excavators and loaders are no longer classified as special equipment and do not involve special operations, thus no longer requiring special operation certificates.
I've worked on construction sites for over a decade and seen plenty of people who thought an M license would let them operate a loader, only to fail miserably. An M license only qualifies you to ride light motorcycles, like small electric bikes or scooters. Operating a loader is specialized equipment work that requires a dedicated operator's certification. Training centers teach you how to safely control the bucket and move materials—getting caught without a license can lead to fines or even accidents. I know a friend who caused a load to tip over by operating recklessly, endangering himself and others. My advice: don't take the risk. Get fully certified before you start. Safety first—only work after you've obtained the proper operator's license.
