What License is Required to Operate an Excavator?
2 Answers
Operating an excavator requires a special vehicle driver's license, a formal operation certificate (also known as a work permit or IC card certificate) approved by the Ministry of Labor or the Safety Supervision Bureau, as well as various skill and certification certificates. You need to apply for the "Special Equipment Operator Certificate" at the Labor Supervision Section of the Technical Supervision Bureau, and the "Technical Grade Certificate" at the Labor Bureau. Additionally, you will need both the Technical Grade Certificate and the Special Equipment Operator Certificate. An excavator, also known as a digging machine, is a type of earth-moving machinery used to dig materials above or below the machine's surface with a bucket and load them into transport vehicles or unload them at a stockyard. Excavators consist of a power unit, working device, slewing mechanism, control mechanism, transmission mechanism, and traveling mechanism, and are commonly used for digging soil, coal, sand, and other materials.
I remember when I first got into the excavator industry, I had to obtain a special equipment operation certificate before I could start working on-site. You'd spend two to three months in training school learning how to control the joysticks, excavation techniques, and safety measures—like avoiding underground pipelines. After passing both the theoretical and practical exams, getting certified made it much easier to find construction site jobs. I also recommend that beginners practice more on simulators to avoid accidents and injuries when operating real machines. These things are heavy, and it's easy for novices to tip them over, which could lead to costly damages or compensation. So don't skimp on training fees—get certified properly for your own safety and everyone around you.
