A forklift operator resume should name each type of truck you can drive, when your employer last trained and evaluated you (OSHA requires a new evaluation at least every 3 years), how many trailers or pallets you move per shift, the rack heights you work at and your safety record. There is no federal forklift license.
Forklift operator resume checklist
Each truck type: sit-down counterbalance, stand-up reach, order picker, pallet jack
Date of your last training and evaluation
Trailers, pallets or moves per shift
Daily pre-use inspection and safety record
Rack heights and put-away accuracy
Shifts you can work and overtime
Certifications and licenses for forklift operators
Certification
Why it matters
How much
Forklift training and evaluation
There is no federal forklift license. OSHA requires your employer to train you and evaluate you on each type of truck before you drive it, and to evaluate you again at least every 3 years. Say which trucks you can drive and when you were last evaluated. For this job, put it at the top. Source
Often asked for
OSHA 10-Hour General Industry card
A voluntary 10-hour safety course. It helps you stand out for warehouse and plant jobs. List it with the year. Source
Helps you stand out
Forklift operator resume example
A one-page example you can copy. The person is fictional.
Luis Hernandez
Forklift operator
Fort Worth, TX · (817) 555-0177 · luis.hernandez@example.com
Summary
Forklift operator with 4 years on sit-down, reach and order picker trucks in busy distribution centers.
Availability
Available for days, nights and overtime. Reliable transportation.
Certifications and licenses
Forklift training and evaluation: sit-down counterbalance, stand-up reach, order picker (evaluated Aug 2025)
OSHA 10-Hour General Industry (2024)
Work experience
Forklift operator, Alliance Distribution Center, Fort Worth, TXJan 2022 to Present
Load and unload 8 to 10 trailers a shift on a sit-down counterbalance.
Put away pallets up to 30 feet high on a stand-up reach truck with 99.9% location accuracy.
Do a pre-use inspection on every truck at the start of each shift.
Zero product damage and no incidents in 2 years.
Warehouse associate, Metroplex Logistics, Arlington, TXMar 2020 to Dec 2021
Built and wrapped about 60 outbound pallets a shift.
Skills
Counterbalance, reach and order picker · RF scanner and WMS · Load securing · English and Spanish
Education
High school diploma, North Side High School, 2019
Before and after
Before
Drove a forklift.
After
Loaded and unloaded 8 to 10 trailers a shift on a sit-down counterbalance with zero product damage in 2 years.
Before
Experienced forklift driver.
After
Forklift operator with 4 years on sit-down, reach and order picker trucks. Safe, steady and accurate. Available for nights and overtime.
Common questions
Do I need a forklift license?
No federal license exists. Under OSHA's rule (29 CFR 1910.178), your employer must train you and evaluate you on each type of truck before you drive it, and evaluate you again at least every 3 years. Some employers give you a card, which you can list with its date.
Does my forklift certification transfer to a new job?
Not fully. A new employer must make sure you are trained on their trucks and site and evaluate you. Listing your past training and truck types still shows you will learn fast.
What numbers should a forklift operator include?
Trailers or pallets per shift, rack heights, location accuracy and years without damage or an incident.
Do I need to be 18?
Yes, for most jobs. Federal child labor rules do not let workers under 18 operate forklifts in nonfarm jobs.