What Does the Forklift Driving Permit Cost?

With external training providers, the forklift driving permit costs between 350 and 1,100 CHF per person – depending on the course format, provider and canton. One-day courses for people with prior knowledge sit at the lower end of the range; multi-day standard courses for beginners are more likely to be 550–950 CHF. In-house training for larger groups can work out cheaper depending on the number of participants.

Price research as at August 2026, external training providers (ASFL SVBL, Swiss Safety Center, TÜV, cantonal training providers).

Course format	Typical price range	Target group
One-day course (1 day)	350–650 CHF	Experienced staff, refreshers
Standard course (2 days)	550–950 CHF	Beginners with no prior knowledge
Intensive course (2–3 days, incl. examination fee)	650–1,100 CHF	Beginners, higher service level
In-house training (group, flat rate from 6 persons)	1,500–3,500 CHF	Employers with several candidates
Type-specific supplementary training	350–650 CHF	Basic course holders, special-truck use

All prices excluding VAT. Actual prices vary by canton and provider.

Not every course price covers the same services. The following points should be checked before booking:

Usually included:

• Theoretical and practical training to EKAS Guideline 6518
• Examination (theory + practice) by the recognised training provider
• Issue of the forklift driving permit once the examination is passed
• Course material (learning documents, operating instructions)

Frequently not included – to be clarified separately:

• Retaking the examination after a fail (50–150 CHF)
• Laminated card/credit-card format (10–30 CHF surcharge)
• Occupational medical fitness assessment (80–150 CHF)
• Travel and accommodation with providers operating across regions

Practical tip: low-cost offers often advertise a low entry price and then bill the examination fee and materials separately. Comparisons must always be made on the basis of the total price (including all additional costs).

Canton and location. In metropolitan areas (Zurich, Basel, Bern, Geneva), courses tend to be more expensive than in rural areas. Transport and the rent for practice grounds feed into the course price.

Type of provider. Training providers operating across regions (ASFL SVBL, Swiss Safety Center, TÜV) cost their courses differently from cantonal training bodies. Manufacturer academies (Jungheinrich, Still, Linde) offer brand-specific courses that also cover machine-specific particularities.

Group size. The more participants, the lower the individual price – especially for in-house courses. For companies with several employees to be qualified, the group almost always pays off.

Prior knowledge. Anyone who can demonstrate previous experience with industrial trucks can in some cases be directed to the one-day course – with a correspondingly lower course fee.

Course date and availability. Short-notice bookings at peak times can be more expensive. Anyone who can book flexibly is more likely to find cheaper dates.

Costs borne by the employer. In most cases the employer covers the course costs where the qualification is necessary for the job. This also makes sense from a liability perspective: without recognised training, the employee may not operate the forklift.

Costs borne by private individuals. Anyone acquiring the permit on their own initiative can draw on the following options:

• Support from the RAV: for jobseekers, the Regional Employment Centre (Regionales Arbeitsvermittlungszentrum, RAV) can finance labour-market measures where the qualification improves placement prospects. Approval must be obtained from the responsible adviser before the course starts.
• Cantonal further-education contributions: several cantons contribute to job-related further education; amounts and conditions differ by canton. Industry association schemes are available in addition.
• Tax deductibility: job-related education and further-training costs can be deducted in the tax return – at federal level up to the statutory maximum amount, and at cantonal level according to the respective provisions.

Retaking the examination. Anyone who does not pass the theory or practical examination at the first attempt pays again for the retake date – as a rule 50–150 CHF. Some providers offer price reductions where the whole course was completed with them.

Occupational medical fitness assessment. Many employers require the fitness assessment before course registration. Cost: 80–150 CHF at the occupational physician or company medical service. These costs are not included in the course price.

Conversion course by truck type. Anyone who is deployed on a different truck type after basic training (for example switching from a counterbalance truck to a reach truck) has to complete type-specific supplementary training – cost: an additional 350–650 CHF.

What does the permit cost at ASFL SVBL?

Courses from recognised training providers such as ASFL SVBL range from 550 to 950 CHF per person depending on location and format (individual booking, 2-day standard course). One-day courses for experienced staff are cheaper. Current prices and dates can be found directly with the respective training provider.

Can I get the permit in one day, and what does that cost?

Yes, one-day courses exist – but they are designed for people with demonstrable prior knowledge. Cost: 350–650 CHF. Not every training provider accepts participants without previous experience for one-day courses. If in doubt, clarify in advance whether a one-day course is an option for your own level of experience.

Does the employer cover the costs?

As a rule yes, where the qualification is necessary for the job being done or aimed for. Under the VUV, employers are obliged to deploy only trained persons – covering the costs is therefore also an instrument for securing themselves against liability.

Is there funding from the RAV?

Possibly. For jobseekers, the Regional Employment Centre can finance the course as a labour-market measure where it improves placement prospects. Funding must be approved before the course starts; the decision is taken by the responsible adviser.

What does the permit cost if I pay myself – that is, without an employer?

The course fees remain the same: 350–1,100 CHF depending on format. Without employer funding it is worth looking at RAV measures and cantonal further-education contributions. Anyone who cannot use support bears the costs themselves – and can deduct them in the tax return as further-training costs.

Once you are qualified, Luibl Rental provides the right machine: forklifts, electric forklifts, reach trucks and telehandlers – available to rent at short notice, deliverable throughout Switzerland and throughout Europe.

→ Rent forklifts from Luibl Rental → How long does the training take?