Which traffic law is violated when a forklift is driven on the road?
3 Answers
Driving a forklift on the road violates road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road usage, resulting in a warning or fine. Below is relevant information: Introduction to Forklifts: A forklift is an industrial transport vehicle designed for loading, unloading, stacking, and short-distance transportation of palletized goods. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO/TC110) classifies it as an industrial vehicle. It is commonly used for transporting large objects in warehouses and is typically powered by fuel engines or batteries. Forklift Operator Certification: Since forklifts are classified as internal combustion vehicles, they are only permitted to operate within designated factory or warehouse areas for loading and unloading goods. Operators must hold a relevant special equipment operation certificate. Forklifts and motor vehicles are two distinct types of vehicles. Forklifts fall under special equipment, and the required certification for operation is called an operation permit. Forklifts do not meet the standards for road use as motor vehicles and therefore cannot be issued motor vehicle license plates. According to the Road Traffic Safety Law, only vehicles with license plates are permitted to operate on public roads.
I drove trucks for ten years and occasionally saw forklifts darting onto the road—what a reckless move. According to regulations, forklifts are not road vehicles, and driving them on public roads directly violates Article 8 of the Road Traffic Safety Law, which requires all motor vehicles to be registered. Forklifts don’t even have license plates—how can they be registered? Besides, they might work fine in factories, but on the road, their slow braking and low speed make them sitting ducks for rear-end collisions. I’ve even seen forklift drivers without proper licenses, which breaches Article 19 for unlicensed driving. Safety comes first—forklifts on the road cause accidents that harm everyone involved, so it’s absolutely forbidden. Traffic authorities enforce strict penalties, including fines and detention, so just play it safe and keep them off public roads.
I've worked in auto repair shops for years and seen many forklifts brought in after accidents. Let me tell you, operating forklifts on public roads is absolutely illegal—mainly violating Articles 8 and 19 of the Road Traffic Safety Law. The former requires vehicle registration, while the latter mandates driver licensing. Forklifts aren't designed for road use—they have narrow wheels and high centers of gravity, making them prone to tipping over. Without license plates or insurance, you're personally liable for all repair costs in an accident. In urban speed-restricted zones, their snail-like pace blocks traffic flow, violating right-of-way rules. During repairs, I've seen their components—they're not crash-resistant at all. A collision with a car shatters their bumpers into pieces. Bottom line: don't risk road use—hire a tow truck for safe transport.
