Forklift operators are among the workers Polish warehouses look for almost all year round. Employers usually offer them higher rates than pickers or packers, and more often propose long-term cooperation. To drive a forklift in Poland, you need a state qualification certificate issued by UDT. Below we explain what the document is, how to get it, how long it takes and what to check before you sign up for a course.
What is a UDT certificate?
UDT (Urząd Dozoru Technicznego) is the Polish Office of Technical Inspection. It checks the qualifications of people who operate high-risk equipment, including forklifts with mechanical lifting. After you pass the exam, UDT issues a zaświadczenie kwalifikacyjne, a qualification certificate in the form of a plastic card.
Without this certificate, an employer is not allowed to let you operate a forklift. The internal permits that companies used to issue themselves are no longer valid. A manual hand pallet truck does not require a UDT certificate.
Types of certificates
Job ads still use the old category names: I WJO, II WJO and III WJO. In practice, there are now two scopes of qualification:
- Standard scope (formerly II and III WJO). Standard warehouse forklifts with forks, including counterbalance trucks and stackers. The certificate is valid for 10 years. This is the one most warehouses ask for.
- Extended scope (formerly I WJO). It also covers telehandlers and trucks where the operator is lifted together with the load. The certificate is valid for 5 years.
If you plan to work in a typical warehouse, the standard scope is usually enough. Before you book a course, ask your employer or agency which equipment is used on site.
Who can get a certificate?
- anyone aged 18 or over;
- anyone with a medical certificate confirming they are fit to work as an operator (sight, hearing and coordination are checked);
- anyone who has prepared for the exam, usually on a course at a training centre.
Nationality does not matter. Foreign candidates take the exam on the same terms as Polish citizens. You do not need a car driving licence to operate a forklift.
How to get a certificate, step by step
- Choose a training centre. Forklift courses are available across Poland. Some centres run groups with instructors who speak English, Ukrainian or Russian.
- Get a medical check. The centre or your employer will tell you where to get the fitness certificate.
- Complete the course. It combines theory (forklift design, safety rules, pre-use inspection) with practical training. Most courses take from a few days to two weeks, depending on the centre and schedule.
- Apply to UDT. In most cases the training centre submits the application for its participants. Proof of the exam fee payment is attached.
- Pass the exam. A UDT committee runs it, often at the training centre. Theory comes first, then the practical part: pre-use inspection, driving, manoeuvring, lifting and placing a load.
- Receive your card. After a positive result, UDT issues the certificate. The card shows your name, the scope of your qualification and the expiry date.
Exam language
The exam is held in Polish. For foreign candidates this is the biggest challenge, especially in the theory part. Before you pay for a course, ask the centre:
- whether the training is available in your language;
- whether the exam can be taken with an interpreter and on what terms;
- whether they provide study materials you can review at home.
Even if the course is in your language, learn the Polish names of the main forklift parts and the basic safety commands. You will need them both in the exam and at work. Our Polish warehouse vocabulary guide is a good place to start.
How much does it cost?
The cost has two parts: the course fee charged by the training centre and the official UDT exam fee. Course prices vary by city and qualification scope. The exam fee changes every year, because it is linked to the average salary in Poland. Check the current amount on the UDT website or with the training centre.
Some employers pay for the course when they want to train operators from their own staff. It is worth asking about this once you already work in a warehouse.
What if you fail the exam?
If you fail, you have to repeat the whole procedure: a new application and a new fee. You cannot retake only the part that went wrong. Candidates most often make mistakes during the pre-use inspection. The examiner may also stop the practical part if you create a dangerous situation.
Renewal and old certificates
The certificate is valid for 5 or 10 years. Apply for renewal a few months before it expires. If it expires, you will need to take the exam again.
If you hold an old certificate without an expiry date, issued before June 2019, check its status. These documents are losing validity by law in stages. UDT provides up-to-date information.
Two things people often forget
- Changing gas cylinders. Some warehouses use LPG forklifts. Changing the gas cylinder requires a separate UDT qualification. Ask the training centre about it if your site uses such trucks.
- Certificates from outside the EU. Forklift licences issued outside the EU usually do not replace a Polish UDT certificate. Check this with your employer before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a UDT certificate?
The course itself usually takes a few days to two weeks. Add time for the medical check and for the exam date set by UDT.
Can I drive a forklift while I wait for the card?
No. Until you hold a valid certificate, your employer cannot let you operate a forklift.
Is a Polish UDT certificate valid in other EU countries?
UDT certificates are issued under Polish rules. Other countries may recognise them, but this depends on the country and the employer.
Forklift jobs with HR Work
Do you already hold a UDT certificate? We can help you find a legal forklift operator job in warehouses across Poland. If you do not have one yet, you can start as a warehouse worker and get the qualification later. Browse job offers or contact us.
This article is for information only. Rules on qualifications, validity periods and fees may change. Before you book a course, check the current information on the UDT website (udt.gov.pl) or on gov.pl.
