Forklift Training, License, Schools and Jobs in New Jersey

If you are considering to become a forklift operator, then one of the first things you need to do is get your forklift certification in New Jersey.

Without your forklift license, your employer will not allow you even to touch a forklift because it’s not only against the law, but it is extremely dangerous too.

If you (or someone else) are operating a forklift without the proper safety training and certification, OSHA could punish the employer with hefty fines that could severely impact their business.

According to OSHA standards…

It is a violation of Federal law for anyone UNDER 18 years of age to operate a forklift or for anyone OVER 18 years of age who is not properly trained and certified to do so.

So please don’t take it lightly when I say that getting forklift certified is the next most important step in beginning a successful career as a forklift operator.

Don’t worry if you don’t know the exact process or know which school to go for training because, in this article, you will find all of the information you need to land one of the great forklift jobs in New Jersey.

Like most other places, there are steps that you will need to take in order to become certified to drive a forklift.

For instance: In New Jersey, by law, you must pass the training and receive a certification/license from a qualified instructor.

We will go over what kind of training you will need to take and what employers will require of their future employees. Not only that, we will also go over what it takes to be a qualified trainer and how to find a legit school.

We will make it simple and offer you all of the information you will need to achieve employment as a successful forklift operator in New Jersey.

Forklift Training Newark NJ

Forklift Driver Jobs in NJ

Requirements for the Forklift Certification in NJ

Each state has specific laws in order to keep their citizens safe. All processes are overseen and made by OSHA. There are several requirements that are necessary to obtain your forklift license in New Jersey.

The first being is that you need to successfully pass a forklift training course and obtain your certification. Now, this isn’t per say “the law,” but you are highly unlikely to get a job as a forklift operator in this state without proof of proper training.

By law though, you must be a legal adult and be over the age of 18 to be hired and trained for this position. So bring a state issued I.D. to your interview as proof of your age.

Employers will also look for a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent. This ensures that the person applying to be a forklift operator has the basic skills to be a forklift operator: reading, knowing basic math and communicating.

All of these skills are needed for the forklift jobs in NJ, not only for inventory purposes, but for safety reasons as well.

If you have experience working in a warehouse or driving a forklift, be sure to put that on your forklift operator resume, because this is a big plus. Before you state your training, you will need to purchase safety gear that includes a hardhat, safety vest, goggles, long pants/jeans, and boots.

Employers will sometimes have an additional requirement for what to wear so check with the hiring manager to make sure you have everything you need.

Having good physical health, and no substance abuse record, is also a major requirement. This position can be physically and mentally challenging, so being healthy and free of drugs and alcohol is crucial to the safety of you and others.

These are the basic requirements for getting an awesome forklift operator job in NJ (New Jersey), although there may be additional requirements from specific companies.

So before you apply, read the forklift operator’s job description and ask questions to make sure the company is the right fit for you.

Requirements for Forklift Training in NJ

  • Trainee must be 18 years and above.
  • Trainee must be a high school graduate or has GED certificate.
  • Trainee must be in very good health. No impairment in vision, hearing and neurological problems.
  • Trainee must not be alcoholic, drug addict or has history of substance abuse.
OSHA Free Forklift Training

OSHA Forklift Training in NJ

How to get a Forklift License in NJ

So you may be wondering how exactly does one go about getting a legit forklift certification in New Jersey? Let’s break it down into steps that will make it easier to achieve your goal.

The first step in this rewarding process would be to find a forklift school in NJ. Not just any training school, you will first need to find an in-person training facility that will do one on one training with you.

When you do a simple internet search on the internet, there are many options that pop up to simply take an online course. They make it look so easy but merely taking the forklift training test online is not sufficient enough to learn the skills necessary to operate a forklift.

Call your future company and see what specific forklift you will need to train on. This way you will have the information to pick the right training school for you.

Taking a three-part course in person is crucial to learning the skills necessary to driving a forklift. Having one on one training will be priceless to you as a forklift operator because you will get to actually practice maneuvering a forklift in a training setting.

The catch is that the instructor must have the right qualifications in order to teach this course. There are several things that an instructor must have in order to teach, the first being a forklift operator license. An instructor must also be well-qualified; meaning that he/she must have a long history operating forklifts. The instructor needs know all of the ins and outs of operating and maintaining ANY forklift, not just one type.

Further reading: How to become a qualified forklift trainer.

On the other hand, the trainee must know what kind of forklift they will be operating in their future position. This is so that the training can be tailored to the forklift he/she will be operating in their future position.

These steps will get you your license, which is the first step in gaining employment. Although, there are additional requirements in which we will go over later in the article.

Forklift Certification NJ Online

Forklift Operator Jobs in NJ

Forklift Training Schools in New Jersey

To obtain your forklift certification in NJ (New Jersey), you will need to enroll in a OSHA forklift training class and complete your training. Here is a list of schools for forklift training in NJ state where you can get your forklift certification.

Fork lift training schools in the alphabetical order.

NameAddressPhone
Academy of Training & Emplymnt936 Broad St # 1, Newark, NJ 07102973-733-2727
Accurate Lift Truck200 Cooper Rd, West Berlin, NJ 08091856-767-2122
Action Lift Trucks Inc.35 Avenue C, Newark, NJ 07114973-589-2320
AJ Jersey Inc125 St Nicholas Ave, South Plainfield, NJ 07080908-754-7333
All Staffing Warehousing3161 State Rd A3, Bensalem, PA 19020215-245-7080
Arbor Material Handling Inc.Newfield, NJ 08344856-963-2700
Barclay Brand Ferdon2401 S Clinton Ave, South Plainfield, NJ 07080908-561-2100
Berkel Training Institute320 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08618609-392-1855
C&C Lift Truck30 Parkway Pl, Edison, NJ 08837732-727-4500
Certified Health & Safety Services1902 Taylors Ln, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077856-829-4463
Crown Lift Trucks104 Bauer Dr, Oakland, NJ 07436201-337-1211
Eastern Lift Truck Co., Inc.549 E Linwood Ave, Maple Shade Township, NJ 08052856-779-8880
E-Z Wheels Driving School954 Main Ave, Passaic, NJ 07055973-470-0190
First Access Inc.24 Commerce Rd, Fairfield, NJ 07004800-381-5729
Forklift Training South Jersey1902 Taylors Ln, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077856-829-4463
Gar Equipment2624 Hamilton Blvd, South Plainfield, NJ 07080800-272-1146
Liftec Forklifts124 Sylvania Pl, South Plainfield, NJ 07080908-769-0034
Maintainco Inc65 Leuning St, South Hackensack, NJ 07606201-487-2565
MHS Lift6965 Airport Hwy Ln, Pennsauken Township, NJ 08109877-647-9320
Modern Group, Ltd75 New St, Edison, NJ 08837800-846-5840
N J State Safety Council Inc6 Commerce Dr # 300, Cranford, NJ 07016908-272-7712
NJ Forklift LLC198 Route 206, Unit 2A, Hillsborough, NJ 08844908-698-4140
One-Stop Career Center990 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102973-648-3370
Professional Safety Training Services, Inc.102 Browning Ln, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003800-758-4440
Raymond of New Jersey, LLC1000 Brighton St, Union, NJ 07083908-624-9570
Reliable Lift Truck Services73 Green Pond Rd # 6, Rockaway, NJ 07866973-586-3311
Rentalift48 Alabama Ave, Paterson, NJ 07503973-684-6111
Sky Works LLC2092 NJ-57, Washington, NJ 07882610-250-0300
Smith and Solomon Commercial Driver Training1701 Lower Rd, Linden, NJ 07036908-474-1589
South Jersey Lift, Inc.1 Executive Dr, Toms River, NJ 08755732-730-0414
Suburban Forklift Inc2 Short St, Prospect Park, NJ 07508973-942-0089
Tri-Lift NJ Inc.1471 Jersey Ave, North Brunswick Township, NJ 08902732-220-0444

The list of forklift training classes and schools was last updated on March 1, 2024. If there are any inaccuracies, please report it to us.

Forklift Certification Paterson NJ

OSHA Forklift Certification in NJ

Employment Opportunities for Forklift Workers in New Jersey

With all of these steps in getting your license, you may be wondering is it worth all of the time and dedication? To that, I say yes! New Jersey is a massive industrial hub with many huge companies calling it home.

This is great news for forklift operators, as with industry comes many warehouse jobs. All of these companies need somewhere to store their products. Often times their solution to their overflow is to store their products in huge warehouses.

Many of the big names that reside in this industrious state are Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, Bed, Bath & Beyond in Union, Toys “R” Us in Wayne and many, many more. With these big companies, you are sure to find a great job.

These companies are known all around the world and are in almost every state, and country that you can think of. Because of how popular they are, they have the ability to offer awesome jobs with potential overtime and benefits.

Also located in New Jersey is the Newark Liberty Airport, one of the country’s busiest airports. If you live close to the airport and have your license, you are very likely to find a forklift job here.

With all of these industries in New Jersey, you are more than likely to find a great forklift job. But don’t take my word for it, check the job trends for forklift operators in the graph below.

Forklift Certification Jersey City NJ

Forklift Operator Jobs Trends on Indeed

Salary of a Forklift Operator in New Jersey

While you are doing all this research on what it takes to be a forklift operator, you wonder: how much do they make? This question has a wide variety of answers depending on what state you work in and if you are licensed or not.

So good news is that if you are a licensed operator in New Jersey, then you will make an average of $36,000. This figure is above the national average of $34,819 according to salary.com.

If you are unlicensed and happen to get a job, then the company can and probably will pay you far less. So yet again it is worth getting your license before starting your job, as it will pay off in a short amount of time. The more training you have, the more money you can make.

While you’re in training, it may be wise to take some extra courses just to prove your worth to the company. You can also use your training to negotiate a salary even above the average salary.

So let’s look at how much does a Fork Lift Operator make in New Jersey state.

The table below shows forklift operator’s annual base salary for 33 major cities in the New Jersey region.

LocationSalaryLocationSalary
Atlantic City$38,254Newark$40,525
Bayonne$40,525Paramus$40,880
Bergenfield$40,880Passaic$40,844
Bloomfield$40,844Paterson$40,844
Camden$38,183Perth Amboy$39,815
Clifton$40,844Plainfield$39,815
East Brunswick$41,128Sayreville$41,128
East Orange$40,525Somerset$41,092
Edison$39,815Toms River$39,886
Elizabeth$40,525Trenton$40,170
Hackensack$40,880Union$40,525
Hoboken$42,618Union City$42,618
Irvington$40,525Vineland$38,041
Jersey City$42,618Wayne$40,844
Lakewood$40,454West New York$42,618
Middlesex$39,815West Orange$40,525
New Brunswick$41,128  

* Forklift operator salaries were last updated on March 1, 2024.

Now: Did you know, a forklift operator in New York gets paid at $16.50/hour on average?

Well, they do and if you are looking to get forklift certification in New York, then you must check our guide to see how to get your forklift license.

Forklift Certification Trenton NJ

OSHA Forklift License in NJ

Benefits of Having a Forklift Certification in NJ

There are many benefits to obtaining a forklift license, not only for employees but also for companies as well. The benefits for employees are noticed right away, because a license is your ticket to your dream forklift jobs in NY.

Most employers will not hire someone that does not have their license, so taking the course and obtaining a license is a no-brainer. Also the more training that a forklift operator does, the more likely he/she will be considered for a higher position.

Not only do employees get all of the benefits of having a forklift license, but there are also many plus factors for employers to hire someone with a license as well. One would obviously be that they are certain that they are hiring someone that is trained and knows what they are doing.

This also saves money because they will not have to send them to a training facility or train them on the clock. Hiring a licensed operator prevents accidents in the workplace, also saving the employer money from court costs and fees.

These are the reasons that the vast majority of companies will only hire operators who are licensed. So save yourself the time and skip the line by obtaining your forklift license first!

Where Can I Get Forklift Training

Forklift Training Schools in NJ

Renewing Your Forklift License in New Jersey

Every three years you will need to renew your license. There are a few different reasons on why you will need to do it.

The first one being is that it is required to take a refresher course every three years according to OSHA. This is so that you can keep fresh and up to date on all new safety regulations.

Another reason that you would need to take a refresher course and renew your license, is if you get in an accident. In this unfortunate situation, at the very least you will need to be retrained on how to efficiently operate a forklift.

The last reason to take a refresher course is if you want to move up within the company. Moving up means that you will need to learn all sorts of different forklifts and how to teach.

There are many different courses offered that will help you reach any goal you set out to meet. Most of the time you will just need to take an online refresher course, but in certain cases, you will need to take the whole course. For just the regular 3 year refresher you will just need to pass an online course.

If an accident happens or you need to be trained on specific vehicles, the whole 3-part course will most likely be necessary. Always ask your employer or OSHA representative to see which is necessary in your situation. If it is an online course, you can do a simple search and pick a popular site with reviews.

Ask your employer which he/she recommends, because when all is said and done, they will be the ones accepting it. If you need to take the whole 3-part lecture, then you will need to search for training schools near you.

There are many great establishments to get your forklift license in NJ, so picking one should not be an issue. Getting a reference is crucial to renewing your license and picking the right training for you.

So be sure to do your research and ask your employer or OSHA representative for any questions!

Forklift Certification Cinnaminson NJ

Forklift Operator Jobs in New Jersey

Get in Touch With The Authorities

If you still have any question or need more information about forklift certification in New Jersey state, then you can get in touch with the New Jersey Department of Labor or an OSHA Area Office in New Jersey.

 

New Jersey Department of Labor
13 Emery Ave
Randolph, NJ 07869
Phone: 862-397-5600
Web: http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/

OSHA Area Office
Avenel Area Office
1030 St. Georges Avenue
Plaza 35, Suite 205
Avenel, New Jersey 07001
Phone: (732) 750-3270
Fax: (732) 750-4737
Web: https://www.osha.gov/oshdir/nj.html

Conclusion

Getting your forklift certification in NJ can be challenging, but at the same time is also very rewarding. Once you know the requirements and skills needed to get and keep a forklift job in NJ, then you are halfway there.

After you know you have what it takes then all you have to do is follow the simple steps to actually getting your license.

Taking the 3-part course is mandatory to obtain your license, but no worries because if you have the skills, it should be a breeze! This will be your ticket to your new job so be sure to pay attention and do well on your tests.

Following these processes will pave your way to a new and exciting forklift operating career in New Jersey!


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Comments →

  1. Echaffaudor Joissaint

    I would like to become a forklift driver. But I do not know where could I go, to find the course.

    1. Hi Echaffaudor,

      You can get more information from here.

      http://forkliftlabs.com/forklift-certification/

      1. naresh barot

        I know nothing abt forklift,but want to get training in order to get job,pl.let me know where is the school and how much it costs to be trained.

  2. Mohamed

    How much I need to pay to get my certificate, I don’t have any experience in

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