Forklift Driving Permit Lost – What Now?

Anyone who has lost their forklift driving permit applies for the replacement document directly from the training provider that carried out the original training and issued the permit. A re-examination is not required for this.

Step 1 – Identify the training provider Anyone who completed the course with ASFL SVBL, the Swiss Safety Center, TÜV or a cantonal training provider should contact them directly. The contact details are often still known from the original registration, or available via their website.

Step 2 – Assemble the evidence The following documents are usually required:

• A copy of your ID (identity card or passport)
• Details of the training date and location (often reconstructible from old emails or payslips)
• Where applicable, a loss report (formally required by some training providers)

Step 3 – Apply for the replacement document and pay the fee Most training providers issue the replacement document against a processing fee. Cost: as a rule 30–100 CHF. Processing time: 5–20 working days, depending on the provider and the state of its document archive.

If the original training provider has been wound up or ceased trading:

Archive search with the legal successor Many training providers are taken over – the legal successor often continues to hold the records. Research via the commercial register or with the industry associations.

Involve Suva and EKAS Suva can help with tracing recognised training providers and their legal successors; EKAS maintains the basis for Guideline 6518.

Complete new training If no evidence can be obtained any more, repeating the training remains the last resort. People with practical experience can look into the one-day course route.

No – at least not formally. Under the VUV and EKAS Guideline 6518, working as a forklift driver requires recognised training and proof of it. Without the document the employer lacks the basis for the deployment; in the event of damage, Suva can reduce benefits.

Until the replacement document is issued, the employer can document internally that the qualification demonstrably exists (for example through confirmations from supervisors, old payroll records, or course confirmations in the personnel file). This is not a legal basis but a pragmatic bridging practice, and it should be agreed with the safety specialist.

Losing the permit can largely be avoided through simple measures:

Choose the credit-card format: many training providers issue the permit as a laminated credit-card-sized document (on request or for a surcharge of 10–30 CHF). The format is handier and more robust.

Make a digital copy: scan or photograph it immediately on receipt and store it securely.

Central company archive: employers with several forklift drivers should keep copies of all permits centrally in the occupational safety documentation.

What does a replacement permit cost?

As a rule a processing fee of 30–100 CHF with the issuing training provider. Costs vary by provider and document format.

Do I have to sit the examination again?

No. The replacement permit is issued without a further examination, provided the issuing training provider still has the records of the original training in its archive.

Is a copy of the permit enough?

In day-to-day operations, many employers accept a copy temporarily. Formally correct is the original document or the replacement document.

How long does it take to issue the replacement document?

As a rule 5–20 working days. Often quicker with large training providers that have a centralised archive; with small regional providers it can take longer.

Luibl Rental provides qualified forklift drivers with the right machine – at short notice, throughout Switzerland and across Europe, ready for use.

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