A forklift truck medical is an occupational health assessment designed to assess whether an individual is medically fit to operate forklift trucks and other workplace transport safely. It considers relevant aspects of health such as vision, hearing, mobility and medical conditions that could affect safe vehicle operation.
Clarity assesses forklift truck operators against medical standards equivalent to DVLA Group 2, providing a consistent and robust approach to fitness assessment for safety-critical workplace transport roles. The assessment complements appropriate training, supervision and workplace controls; it does not replace them.
Fitness is considered on an individual basis, taking account of the employee’s health and the demands of the role.
Clarity assesses forklift truck operators against medical standards equivalent to DVLA Group 2, providing a clear and consistent framework for assessing fitness to operate workplace transport. Each employee is considered individually, with relevant health findings assessed in relation to safe operation.
We deliver forklift truck medicals on‑site or via our wider network, so operators can be assessed close to where they work, with minimal downtime. For many organisations, on‑site sessions are the most efficient way to cover multiple shifts and depots.
Our reporting is structured around fitness for the driving task: fit, fit with restrictions, or unfit, with clear notes on any conditions, adjustments or follow‑up needed. That makes it easier for managers to make safe, consistent decisions and maintain an audit trail.
FLT medicals can be combined with other occupational health services such as safety‑critical medicals, night worker assessments and wider health surveillance, creating a more coherent and cost‑effective programme for higher‑risk roles.
Clarity recommends regular medical assessment for employees who operate forklift trucks and other workplace transport, alongside additional assessment whenever there is a change in health that could affect safe operation.
Under Clarity’s forklift truck medical programme, operators are normally recalled:
Assessments are undertaken using standards equivalent to DVLA Group 2 and fitness is determined on an individual basis.
What Operators Can Expect From a Forklift Truck Medical
A typical forklift truck medical will include:
Health questionnaire – capturing relevant medical history, current health, medication and any symptoms that could impact driving.
Vision assessment – to confirm visual acuity, and where appropriate peripheral vision and colour vision, against role‑appropriate standards.
Hearing check (audiometry or equivalent) – to ensure sufficient hearing to respond to alarms, signals and the working environment.
Blood pressure and general health checks – screening for conditions such as uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes that could affect driving safety.
Musculoskeletal and mobility assessment – to confirm sufficient strength, co‑ordination and mobility to mount, dismount and control the vehicle safely.
Where needed, further clinical review or referral may be recommended to clarify fitness or manage specific conditions.
Following a forklift truck medical, Clarity provides:
A clear fitness decision, aligned to the demands of FLT operation
Advice on any restrictions or adjustments (for example restricted hours, additional reviews, or specific controls)
Recommendations for further investigation or specialist input where appropriate
Guidance on review intervals in line with age, condition and risk
This helps employers match the requirements of the driving task with the fitness and abilities of each driver, as HSE expects, and reduces the risk of incidents linked to avoidable medical issues.
For FLT medicals, employers need a partner who will challenge, innovate and stay accountable where safety and operations meet.
We challenge when forklift medicals are treated as a formality, and help employers focus assessments on the factors that genuinely affect safe operation.
We innovate in how medicals are delivered – using on‑site clinics, flexible scheduling and efficient triage so operators can be assessed with minimal disruption to productivity.
We grow by helping clients reduce FLT‑related health risks, strengthen their safety culture and support operators over the course of their careers.
We are driven to deliver – responsive in planning, reliable in execution and clear in our communication with both managers and operators.
Collaboration drives us forward as we work with health and safety, HR and operations to integrate FLT medicals into existing training and licensing processes.
We are energised by health and accountable to each other, bringing consistent standards and careful judgement to every fitness‑to‑operate decision.
If your business relies on forklift trucks or other workplace transport, Clarity can help you design and deliver a forklift truck medical programme that supports safer operations, aligns with HSE expectations and fits around the way your sites really run.
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