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Forklift Driver reference check template

A reference check form for forklift drivers and operators. It adds eight questions on safe operation, incidents and near misses, picking accuracy and reliability on shift.

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  • Free, no sign-up
  • Editable Word file
  • 8 forklift driver questions

What to focus on in a forklift driver reference check

For forklift roles, safety is the question. Ask the warehouse or shift supervisor about incidents, near misses and whether the candidate followed site rules. Check the high-risk work licence yourself with the issuing authority.

8 reference check questions to ask about a forklift driver

Ask these after the standard verification and performance questions. They are already in the Word and PDF template.

  1. 1.Which types of forklift did the candidate operate, and in what environment?
  2. 2.How safely did the candidate operate around pedestrians and in tight spaces?
  3. 3.Were there any incidents, near misses or damage while they worked for you?
  4. 4.How did they follow pre-start checks and site safety rules?
  5. 5.How accurate were they with picking, loading and stock movements?
  6. 6.How did they handle pressure to meet dispatch deadlines?
  7. 7.How reliable were they with shifts, including early starts and nights?
  8. 8.Would you put them back on a forklift on your site?

What a strong reference sounds like

  • No incidents, or honest reporting of a minor one
  • Always completes pre-start checks
  • Accurate loads
  • Supervisor would rehire

Red flags to follow up

  • Damage or incidents the referee is vague about
  • Cutting corners to hit deadlines
  • Skipped safety checks
  • Hesitation on the final question

Download the forklift driver reference check template

Free, no sign-up. The Word version is editable; the PDF is ready to print.

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Want more questions? See 35 reference check questions to ask references. Prefer referees to answer online? HiveRef sends the form, chases replies and builds the report. Start with 4 free checks.

Forklift Driver Reference Check Template

For phone or written reference checks. Use the same questions for every referee so answers are comparable.

1. Candidate and referee details

  • Candidate name
  • Role applied for
  • Referee name
  • Referee job title and organisation
  • Referee email and phone
  • Relationship to the candidate (for example, direct manager)
  • Date of reference check
  • Checked by

2. Consent

Confirm the candidate agreed to you contacting this referee. Tell the referee their answers are used only for this hiring decision.

  • Candidate consent confirmed (yes / no)
  • Date consent was given

3. Verification questions

  1. 1.How do you know the candidate, and what was your working relationship?
  2. 2.What were the candidate's start and end dates, as far as you remember them?
  3. 3.What was their job title, and did it change while you worked together?
  4. 4.Did the candidate report to you directly? If not, how often did you see their work?
  5. 5.What were the main reasons the candidate left, as far as you know?

4. Performance questions

  1. 6.Which parts of the role did the candidate own day to day?
  2. 7.Tell me about a deadline the candidate missed or nearly missed. What happened next?
  3. 8.Give an example of the candidate producing good work with incomplete information.
  4. 9.What result improved while they were in the role, and what was their contribution?
  5. 10.When results were below expectations, how did they respond to feedback?
  6. 11.What skill did the candidate develop most while you worked together?

5. Forklift Driver questions

  1. 12.Which types of forklift did the candidate operate, and in what environment?
  2. 13.How safely did the candidate operate around pedestrians and in tight spaces?
  3. 14.Were there any incidents, near misses or damage while they worked for you?
  4. 15.How did they follow pre-start checks and site safety rules?
  5. 16.How accurate were they with picking, loading and stock movements?
  6. 17.How did they handle pressure to meet dispatch deadlines?
  7. 18.How reliable were they with shifts, including early starts and nights?
  8. 19.Would you put them back on a forklift on your site?

6. Working style and integrity

  1. 20.Describe a disagreement the candidate had with a colleague. How did they move the work forward?
  2. 21.How did the candidate ask for help when they needed it?
  3. 22.When the candidate made a mistake that affected others, what did they do?
  4. 23.What would you tell a new manager about working with this person?

7. Closing questions

  1. 24.Is there anything we have not asked that you think we should know?
  2. 25.What kind of manager or team would get the best out of this person?
  3. 26.Would you hire or work with this person again? Why or why not?

8. Recommendation

  • Overall: recommend / recommend with reservations / do not recommend
  • Strengths confirmed
  • Concerns or follow-ups
  • Signed and dated

Do not ask about health, family, age, religion or other protected personal information, and check the law where you hire.

Frequently asked questions

Does a reference check confirm a forklift licence?

No. Check the licence directly with the issuing authority. Use references to learn how safely the candidate actually operated.

Who should be the referee for a forklift driver?

The warehouse supervisor or shift leader who saw them operate. A safety officer is a useful second referee.

Can I ask about workplace injuries?

Ask about safe work practices and incidents involving equipment. Do not ask about the candidate's health or injury claims.

Send these forklift driver questions online instead.

HiveRef emails the referees, chases them for you and puts every answer into one report. First 4 checks free, no card needed.

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