Anyone who drives a forklift truck with the operator on board: classic forklift, telescopic handler or rotating telescopic handler. The employer too, if they drive it themselves (Allegato II, pag. 123).
Forklift license in Italy: the 12-hour course
- 12 h
- Agreement 17/04/2025
- In person
- License
Dates and prices
Our classroom dates at Rho Fiera and Monza, with prices and free places, are listed on the Italian course page, where you can also book and pay online.
See dates and book (page in Italian)
Need an English-speaking trainer for your team? Write to us or email contattaci@aequor.net.
Who it is forForklift truck operators in production and logistics
Duration12 hours
FormatClassroom
Certificate valid for5 years
Refresherevery 5 years
In no hurry? This course can be funded.
Mandatory courses can be covered by funded training: we tell you before you enrol, at no extra cost.
A training provider, or buying for a client?
The Aequor catalogue, equipped classrooms in our three centres and the quote builder for your clients.
Companies that trained with us
Armani, Armofer, Berberè, Datadog, Jet HR, Markas, Mediaset, Miscusi, Pinalli, Satispay, TIP, Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, Vhernier, Virgin Active, Wao, We Road, Whirlpool.
Course information
Who needs it and what the law requires
For operators of forklift trucks in production and logistics. In Italy, driving a forklift truck with the operator on board needs a specific licence (abilitazione): Legislative Decree 81/2008 (art. 73, comma 5) refers to the State-Regions Agreement of 17 April 2025, which lists the trucks and sets the course.
The licence covers three types of truck (Allegato II, pag. 123):
- industrial trucks with a seated operator: the classic warehouse forklift;
- telescopic handlers with a boom that does not rotate;
- rotating telescopic handlers.
Requirement: fitness for the job, assessed by the company doctor.
During the course you will…
Practise driving, stacking and picking pallets, ramps and narrow aisles.
Practice ratio trainer to participants: 1:6.
Equipped centres: Monza and Rho Fiera Milano; the course can also be held at your company if there are suitable areas.
Programme and format
A theory module of 8 hours and a practical module for each type of truck (punto 8.3.4, pag. 54-57):
| Licence | Theory | Practice | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial trucks | 8 h | 4 h | 12 h |
| Telescopic handlers | 8 h | 4 h | 12 h |
| Rotating telescopic handlers | 8 h | 4 h | 12 h |
| All three types | 8 h | 8 h | 16 h |
| Additional functions: suspended loads and lifting people | — | 6 h | on top |
- Theory: legislation, truck stability and load chart, pre-use checks, check-list and basic maintenance
- Practice: driving, handling and storing loads safely
- Format: in person only (our centres or at the client), theory supported by virtual reality
- Language: Italian; in the classroom also Spanish, English, French and Moroccan Arabic
How a course works
Choose the date: on the Italian course page you see location, date, times and free places.
Attend: classroom and virtual reality: the theory is supported by virtual reality; the practice is always in person, in our centres.
Get the certificate: compliant with the law and valid throughout Italy. The fee includes course materials and certificate.
Company solutions and funding
- Company editions with flexible schedules and sessions on shifts
- Inclusion in the Paracadute plan for multiple courses
- Funded training, with all the paperwork handled for you
- Attendance reports, certificates and refresher reminders
Frequently asked questions
12 hours for one type of truck: 8 of theory and 4 of practice. 16 hours for all three types together (punto 8.3.4, pag. 54-57).
No. For forklift trucks the Agreement allows only the classroom, both for the first course and for the refresher: no video-conference and no e-learning (Parte IV, punto 3.5, pag. 104-105).
After the theory there is a multiple-choice test: at least 70% of correct answers to go on to the practice. At the end of the practice there is a test on the truck, at least 2 exercises for each practical module; whoever fails repeats the practice (punto 8.3.4, pag. 56).
Every 5 years, with a refresher of at least 4 hours of practice (Parte III, punto 6, pag. 84). Until the refresher is done you cannot drive; within 10 years the basic course is not lost, and a late refresher is enough to drive again (Parte III, pag. 82).
Yes. Courses taken under the Agreement of 22 February 2012 remain valid (Parte VII, pag. 117): you carry on with the 4-hour refresher every 5 years.
The licence is required for trucks with the operator on board, seated. For walk-behind pallet trucks the licence course is not required, but the employer must still give adequate training and practice (art. 73, comma 1).
Our scheduled classes are taught in Italian. In the classroom we also teach in English, Spanish, French and Moroccan Arabic: for a team that speaks the same language we organise a dedicated session. Write to us before booking.
Yes. It is a licence certificate issued by the training provider to whoever has attended the course and passed the tests, and it is valid throughout Italy (Parte I, punto 6). It is not a driving licence issued by a public office.
Our classroom dates and prices are on the Italian course page: choose a date, add the participants and pay online. If you prefer, write to us and we book for you.
Not included in the Paracadute plan. It can be covered by funded training.