HL Training Services provides accredited counterbalance forklift training from our Bristol centre and on-site UK-wide. Accredited by ITSSAR, AITT, and RTITB, the UK’s leading forklift training body, we offer B1 rider operated counterbalance lift truck courses for beginners, experienced operators, and refresher candidates.
Our training meets HSE Approved Code of Practice L117 and ABA standards, ensuring workplace safety and compliance. Whether training one operator or a full team, we deliver expert instruction and nationally recognised certification.
Call us today on 0117 952 5625 or send an enquiry to book your training course.
Secure your place on our next available course. We offer flexible scheduling for novice, experienced, and refresher training at our Bristol centre or delivered directly to your site.
A comprehensive counterbalance forklift training course covers theoretical knowledge and practical application, structured in accordance with HSE L117’s three-stage model: basic training, specific job training, and workplace familiarisation. Structured training should cover safety fundamentals and workplace hazards before practical driving.
Operators must complete a practical skills test to certify, which allows a maximum of 40 penalty points. The theory test covers legislation, principles of stability, and safe operating practices. Upon successful completion, candidates receive an RTITB e-Card and PDF certificate, with forklift certificates transitioning to a paperless format starting in 2026.
Minimise disruption and maximise relevance. We deliver training at your workplace using your own equipment, load types, and site conditions, covering the specific job training and familiarisation stages that HSE L117 requires. On-site counterbalance training is available UK-wide.
It is a legal requirement under PUWER 1998 for all operators to receive adequate training before using work equipment, including counterbalance forklift trucks. Beyond compliance, there are significant benefits:
Legal Compliance: Training complies with HSE Code of Practice L117 and PUWER Regulation 9, ensuring employers meet their legal duties. Accredited training through ITSSAR, AITT, or RTITB confirms adherence to HSE workplace transport requirements.
Reduced Accident Risk: Lift trucks cause about a quarter of workplace transport accidents annually. Proper training reduces risks like tip-overs, collisions, and load drops, while promoting safe, efficient operation across your workforce.
Site Productivity: Competent operators improve efficiency, reduce product damage, lower maintenance costs, and extend forklift lifespan. Safe, skilled teams keep operations running smoothly without costly interruptions.
Nationally Recognised Certificate: Successful candidates receive an accredited certificate recognised UK-wide, enhancing employability and confirming compliance with national training standards.
Insurance and Audit Protection: Accredited training records support legal, insurance, and audit requirements. Many insurers require certified operator training as a condition of cover.
| Type | 3:1 | 2:1 | 1:1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOV | EXP | REF | NOV | EXP | REF | NOV | EXP | REF | |
| AITT | 37.5h | 22.5h | 7.5h | 30h | 18.75h | 7.5h | 22.5h | 15h | 3.75h |
| ITSSAR | 37.5h | 22.5h | 7.5h | 30h | 15h | 6.25h | 22.5h | 11.25h | 5h |
| RTITB | 37.5h | 22.5h | 7.5h | 30h | 18.25h | 6.25h | 22.5h | 14h | 5h |
Course timings vary depending on the accrediting body and the candidate-to-instructor ratio. Timings are available for Novice (NOV), Experienced (EXP), and Refresher (REF) operators across ITSSAR, AITT, and RTITB accreditation.
Training can be arranged at whichever location suits your business best. Many clients combine centre-based basic training with on-site familiarisation for the most thorough approach.
We deliver training directly to your workplace anywhere in the UK. On-site counterbalance training uses your own equipment, your actual loads, and your real working environment. This means operators complete their familiarisation stage in the exact conditions they’ll work in – meeting HSE L117 requirements without additional cost or travel time for your team.
Our dedicated Bristol training centre provides a controlled, purpose-built environment for all experience levels. It’s ideal for individual bookings, small groups, or businesses that don’t yet have their own equipment on site. The centre offers the calm, focused setting that helps beginners build confidence before transitioning to live workplace operations.
A B1 forklift licence confirms that an operator has been trained and assessed to operate a rider operated counterbalance forklift truck with a lifting capacity up to and including 5,000 kg (5 tonnes). The “B1” refers to the UK machine classification used by accrediting bodies such as RTITB, ITSSAR, and AITT. Higher classifications – B2 and B3 – cover heavier machines above 5,000 kg. Holding a B1 accredited certificate means you’ve completed both a theory test and practical test on this specific category of counterbalance forklift.
The cost of B1 forklift training varies depending on the course type, experience levels of delegates, group size, accreditation body, and whether training is delivered on-site or at a training centre. Across the UK industry, typical price ranges include approximately £175–£600 for novice courses (3–5 days), £275–£360 for conversion courses, and £180–£300 for refresher courses. On-site delivery may involve additional cost for instructor travel. Contact us directly for current HL Training Services pricing – we’ll provide a clear quote with no hidden charges.
A counterbalance forklift truck carries loads on front forks with a rear counterweight for stability. It’s versatile, works indoors and outdoors, and handles heavier loads across open spaces. A reach truck has an extending mast that reaches forward into racking, making it designed specifically for narrow-aisle warehouse work at height. Reach trucks are typically smaller, with a narrower chassis, and aren’t suited to outdoor or rough surfaces. The two machines require separate training – the controls, stability characteristics, and safe handling techniques differ significantly. If your workplace uses both, operators need certification for each type.
Certification is valid for 3 to 5 years before refresher training is needed, depending on the accreditation scheme and your employer’s site policy. However, there’s no fixed legal interval – the HSE recommends refresher or retraining whenever an operator changes job role, switches to a different truck type, is involved in an accident or near miss, or shows signs of unsafe practice. Most employers and insurers work to a 3-year renewal cycle as standard good practice.
No. Our novice training course is designed for complete beginners with no prior experience of operating a forklift. The course builds skills progressively from basic theory through to practical testing. For those who already have workplace experience but lack formal certification, our experienced operator course provides a shorter route to qualification.
If a delegate doesn’t meet the required standard on either the theory test or practical assessment, additional training and retesting can be arranged. Your instructor will provide clear feedback on areas needing improvement so you know exactly what to work on.
Ready to get your team trained and certified? Whether you need novice counterbalance forklift training, a refresher course for existing operators, or on-site delivery at your workplace, we’re here to help.
Call us on 0117 952 5625 or email us at [email protected] to discuss your requirements, or complete the enquiry form below and we’ll respond promptly with availability and pricing.