The UK's Most Dependable Source for Certified Forklift Drivers
In the fast-paced world of UK logistics and warehousing, a single gap on the warehouse floor can cascade into missed dispatch deadlines, safety incidents, and lost revenue. Workers Direct exists to eliminate that risk. As one of the UK's most trusted warehouse staffing agencies, we maintain a constantly refreshed pool of fully licensed, vetted, and immediately deployable forklift truck operators — ready to integrate into your operation at short notice, whether you need cover for a single shift or a full long-term contract placement.
Forklift operations are the circulatory system of any modern warehouse. Every pallet moved, every rack restocked, every container offloaded depends on a skilled, safety-conscious operator behind the controls. At Workers Direct, we understand this. Our forklift driver recruitment service is built around one non-negotiable principle: every driver we place must be fully certified, genuinely experienced, and operationally ready from day one. No exceptions, no shortcuts.
Whether you are a distribution centre in Birmingham, a cold-store facility in Bradford, a manufacturing plant in Leicester, or a logistics hub in Leeds, our warehouse agency network gives you direct access to the licensed professionals you need — fast, reliably, and at competitive rates. Search workers-direct.com today to discover why thousands of UK businesses trust us with their most operationally critical staffing requirements.
Workers Direct supplies RTITB and ITSSAR certified forklift truck operators across the UK for temporary, contract, and permanent roles. All drivers hold valid licences covering counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, pallet trucks, and order pickers. Deployments are available within 24–48 hours. Workers Direct handles all compliance checks, payroll, and right-to-work verification, giving businesses a fully managed, zero-risk forklift staffing solution.
Certified & Fully Licensed Forklift Operators
Every forklift driver placed by Workers Direct carries a nationally recognised, current licence. We do not place operators with expired cards, unverified credentials, or licences issued by non-accredited bodies. Our compliance team verifies every certification before any driver is added to our active deployment pool — and re-verification is carried out at scheduled intervals to ensure continuous compliance.
The most widely used forklift in UK warehousing. Our counterbalance operators are experienced with both electric and LPG-powered trucks in high-throughput distribution environments.
Specialist in narrow-aisle, high-bay racking environments. Our reach truck operators are skilled at precision pallet placement at heights up to 12 metres in busy DC settings.
Powered pallet truck operators for floor-level goods movement in supermarket distribution, retail logistics, and courier sorting environments across the UK.
Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) and order picking specialists, certified for man-up order pickers and wire-guided VNA trucks in advanced automated warehouse environments.
Workers Direct Forklift Compliance Checklist
Every forklift driver deployed by Workers Direct has completed the following verification steps:
Workers Direct's rigorous compliance process means that every forklift operator deployed to your site is not just competent — they are legally and operationally ready, protecting your business from regulatory risk and insurance liability. Our approach aligns fully with HSE guidelines on safe forklift operations, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).
Client Case Studies: Forklift Staffing That Delivered Results
How to Hire a Forklift Driver Through Workers Direct
Our streamlined four-step process gets certified forklift operators onto your warehouse floor without delay, paperwork headaches, or compliance risk.
Contact Us
Call our 24/7 operations line or submit a request online. Tell us the licence type needed (counterbalance, reach truck, PPT), shift pattern, site location, and start date. We respond within the hour.
Receive Matched Candidates
Our specialist warehouse recruitment team screens our active database and presents you with pre-vetted, licence-verified forklift operators who match your exact specification and environment.
Confirm the Placement
Select your preferred driver and confirm the start date. Workers Direct handles all remaining compliance documentation, payroll registration, and site-specific briefing before the driver arrives.
Your Driver Starts Work
Your forklift driver arrives on-site on the agreed date, fully compliant, briefed, and ready to integrate into your warehouse operation immediately — no settling-in delays.
What Our Clients Say About Our Forklift Staffing Service
"We called Workers Direct on a Monday morning with an urgent need for three counterbalance operators by Wednesday. They delivered four, all RTITB certified, all experienced in our type of racking system. Outstanding response time and zero issues with any of the placements. They are our go-to warehouse agency now."
"I was sceptical about using a warehouse agency for our reach truck positions because we've had problems in the past with unqualified people being sent. Workers Direct proved the exception — every operator they sent us knew their way around a high-bay racking system. We've now converted two of them to permanent roles."
"Workers Direct handled a full ramp-up for our Leicester site over three months — from 8 forklift operators to 24. Their ability to manage compliance, payroll, and AWR obligations without any input from our HR team saved us enormous time and money. Genuinely the most professional warehouse staffing partner we have used in 15 years."
"We needed warehouse agency support at very short notice for our Plymouth depot during a critical peak period. Workers Direct placed four experienced forklift drivers within 48 hours — all with relevant experience in our sector. Billing was clear, communication was excellent, and every driver performed to a high standard throughout the contract."
Current Warehouse & Forklift Job Opportunities
Browse active warehouse jobs across the UK. All positions pay above the National Living Wage. Click any role to view the full listing and apply directly via workers-direct.com.
| # | Job Title | Location | Type | Approx. Rate | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Counterbalance Forklift Driver | Birmingham | Temporary | £13.50–£15.00/hr | View Job |
| 02 | Reach Truck Operator | Leicester | Contract | £14.00–£16.50/hr | View Job |
| 03 | Warehouse Operative – Forklift | Bradford | Temporary | £13.00–£14.50/hr | View Job |
| 04 | Forklift Driver – Distribution | Leeds | Temp-to-Perm | £14.50–£17.00/hr | View Job |
| 05 | Pallet Truck Operator | Plymouth | Temporary | £12.50–£13.50/hr | View Job |
| 06 | Counterbalance Driver – Cold Store | Southampton | Contract | £14.00–£16.00/hr | View Job |
| 07 | Warehouse Operative (FLT) | London – Stratford | Temp-to-Perm | £15.00–£18.00/hr | View Job |
| 08 | Forklift Driver – Picker/Packer | Stoke-on-Trent | Temporary | £12.50–£14.00/hr | View Job |
| 09 | Reach Truck Operative | Crawley | Temporary | £13.50–£15.50/hr | View Job |
| 10 | Warehouse Operative – FLT Licence | Liverpool | Contract | £13.00–£15.00/hr | View Job |
| 11 | Forklift Operator – Logistics Hub | Barking / East London | Temp-to-Perm | £14.50–£17.50/hr | View Job |
| 12 | FLT Driver – Romford DC | Romford, Essex | Temporary | £13.50–£15.00/hr | View Job |
All rates are approximate and subject to shift premium, AWR, and location adjustments. All positions pay above the UK National Living Wage.
Safety, Regulation & Compliance: Our Commitment
Forklift trucks are classified as work equipment under UK law, and their safe operation is governed by a robust framework of legislation. Workers Direct takes this responsibility with the utmost seriousness. Every driver in our network is required to operate in accordance with HSE L117 guidance, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
Forklift trucks account for approximately 25% of all serious workplace injuries in UK warehouse environments, according to HSE data. Reducing this risk demands not just qualified operators, but operators with a deeply ingrained safety culture — the kind that is built through experience, not just certification. Workers Direct's recruitment process screens specifically for safety record, practical knowledge of pre-use checks, awareness of pedestrian segregation protocols, and understanding of load stability principles.
All Workers Direct forklift operators are trained in daily pre-use inspection procedures as required under PUWER, ensuring they report and record defects before operating any truck.
Our drivers understand LOLER requirements relating to thorough examination of lifting attachments and the documentation requirements for lifting operations in warehouse environments.
Training aligned with HSE's Rider-Operated Lift Trucks L117 guidelines, covering safe system of work, supervision requirements, and site-specific induction practices.
Workers Direct monitors all temporary placements for AWR qualifying periods and proactively manages equal treatment obligations, protecting both worker rights and client businesses from liability.
Frequently Asked Questions: Forklift Driver Hire
What forklift certifications do Workers Direct drivers hold?
All Workers Direct forklift drivers hold valid RTITB or ITSSAR certifications covering counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers, and pallet trucks. Some drivers additionally hold NPORS cards for construction site environments. Every licence is verified as in-date before any driver is deployed to a client site. We do not place operators with expired cards or unverified credentials under any circumstances.
How quickly can Workers Direct supply a certified forklift driver?
Workers Direct can typically supply a certified forklift driver within 24 to 48 hours of your initial request, with same-day placements available for urgent requirements in London, Birmingham, Leicester, Bradford, Leeds, and most other major UK centres. Contact our 24/7 operations line to discuss your specific timeline. For planned peak periods, we recommend engaging at least one week in advance to maximise candidate choice and optimise the matching process for your environment.
Do you provide forklift drivers for long-term warehouse contracts?
Yes. Workers Direct offers the full spectrum from short-term emergency cover to long-term permanent placements. Our temp-to-perm conversion service is particularly popular with clients who want to evaluate a forklift operator in their environment before committing to a permanent hire. Long-term contract rates are available and represent significant savings over ad-hoc daily bookings. Contact your Workers Direct account manager to discuss a bespoke long-term staffing agreement. Browse our temporary staffing services for more information.
Are your forklift drivers experienced in different warehouse environments?
Yes. The Workers Direct forklift network includes operators with experience across a wide range of warehouse environments: ambient distribution centres, cold stores and frozen food facilities, manufacturing plants, construction materials yards, retail fulfilment centres, e-commerce operations, and port logistics. When you brief us on your site, we match candidates based not just on licence type but on relevant environmental experience, minimising the learning curve and maximising productivity from day one. Explore warehouse jobs in Leicester and beyond on our site.
What areas does Workers Direct cover for forklift driver hire?
Workers Direct supplies forklift drivers across the entire United Kingdom. Our most active coverage areas include London (all boroughs), Birmingham, Leicester, Bradford, Leeds, Plymouth, Southampton, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, and hundreds of surrounding towns. Whether your warehouse is in a major logistics hub or a more regional location, our national network means we can source and deploy qualified forklift operators to you. Visit workers-direct.com or call our helpline to check availability in your specific location.
Explore More Warehouse & Staffing Resources
Workers Direct · 344–348 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1QP · Registered Staffing Agency · 24/7 Operations Support · workers-direct.com
© 2026 Workers Direct. All rights reserved. Licensed forklift drivers supplied across the UK for temporary, contract and permanent warehouse roles.
