Can Forklifts Be Driven on Public Roads?
2 Answers
Traffic laws stipulate that forklifts are allowed on public roads as long as they are licensed. Here is relevant information about forklifts: 1. Definition of Forklifts: Forklifts generally refer to loaders. A loader is a type of earth-moving machinery widely used in construction projects such as highways, railways, buildings, hydropower, ports, and mines. 2. Uses of Forklifts: Loaders are primarily used for shoveling, loading, unloading, and transporting loose materials like soil and stone. With different attachments, they can also perform tasks such as bulldozing, lifting, and handling other materials. In highway construction, they are mainly used for filling and excavation in roadbed projects, as well as for gathering and loading materials at asphalt and cement concrete yards.
I have worked in the transportation management department for many years and frequently deal with issues involving unauthorized operation of special vehicles on public roads. According to legal regulations, engineering machinery vehicles like forklifts are classified as off-road equipment and are prohibited from driving on public roads unless they obtain special approval and display temporary license plates. This is because forklifts are typically designed with a maximum speed of less than 20 km/h, their lighting and signaling systems do not meet road safety standards, and their large turning radius can easily cause traffic congestion. Additionally, operators must hold a special equipment operation certificate rather than a regular driver's license. Once, we handled an accident caused by a forklift illegally operating on a public road, which led to a chain-reaction rear-end collision, leaving the entire front of the vehicle severely deformed. If transportation between sites is necessary, the forklift must be transported on a flatbed trailer, and a temporary travel permit must be obtained from the local transportation authority, with movement restricted to specified low-traffic routes during designated time periods.
