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Staplerschein (German forklift licence)

In Germany, anyone who drives a forklift or another industrial truck with a driver's seat or stand at work needs training with an exam and a written order to drive from their employer. The proof is known as the Staplerschein. This page explains the training and the exam and lets you practise with free original questions in German, with English translations.

Practise with free Staplerschein questionsTake a timed mock test

Practise for the Staplerschein

How the exam works

  • Not a state licenceYou may only drive if your employer has ordered you to in writing
  • Training under DGUV Grundsatz 308-00120 to 32 teaching units, at least 10 of them theory
  • Theory testAbout 50 questions in at most 45 minutes; you pass with 70%
  • Practical testAn exam drive of 15 to 20 minutes
  • CostSet by each training provider
  • Minimum age 18; younger people only under supervision during vocational training
  • No fixed expiry date, but instruction at least once a year

Who needs a Staplerschein

Under DGUV Regulation 68, employers may only order people to drive industrial trucks with a driver's seat or stand if they are at least 18, suitable, trained and have proven their ability. The order must be in writing. For pedestrian-controlled trucks it is enough to be suitable and instructed.

Driving card and order to drive

After you pass, the training provider issues the driving card for industrial trucks (Fahrausweis). You may only drive once your employer gives you a written order. That order covers only the company and the trucks it names, and it ends when you leave the company. Cards from other countries are not recognised automatically.

How long is the Staplerschein valid?

Neither DGUV Regulation 68 nor DGUV Grundsatz 308-001 sets an expiry date. Your employer must instruct you before you first drive and then at least once a year (section 12 of the Industrial Safety Regulation, BetrSichV). A new employer has to give you a new order to drive.

Training in three stages

  • Stage 1: general training with theory, practice and an exam, usually on a counterbalance forklift
  • Stage 2: extra training for other trucks, such as reach trucks, with its own exam
  • Stage 3: in-company instruction on the actual truck and workplace, documented in writing

Theory topics

  • Legal basics and the driver's responsibility
  • Accidents
  • Design and function
  • Drive types: battery, diesel, LPG
  • Stability and the load chart
  • General operation
  • Regular checks and inspections of the truck
  • Handling loads
  • Special uses, such as work platforms or driving on public roads
  • Traffic rules and traffic routes at work

New rules in draft

The DGUV has published a draft revision of Grundsatz 308-001 for public comment; comments are open until 1 November 2026. The draft would raise the theory pass mark from 70% to 80%. It is a draft under consultation and not in force. Until a new version is published, the 2022 rules apply.

How to prepare

FreeExamPath writes its own practice questions from DGUV Regulation 68, the Industrial Safety Regulation and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. They are not official exam questions, and FreeExamPath is not affiliated with the DGUV, any accident insurance institution or any training provider. Your training provider sets its own theory test, which may differ from our questions. Our practice does not replace the training and the practical test.

Official information

Questions about the Staplerschein

How many questions are in the Staplerschein test?

Under DGUV Grundsatz 308-001 the theory test has about 50 questions and takes at most 45 minutes. You pass with 70% of the questions or points. A practical exam drive follows.

How much does the Staplerschein cost?

There is no official price. Each training provider sets its own fee. Ask before you book what theory, practice and the exam cost.

How long is the Staplerschein valid?

No expiry date is set. But you must be instructed at least once a year, and the order to drive only applies with your current employer.

Are these official exam questions?

No. There is no official question bank; each training provider writes its own test. Our questions are FreeExamPath's own practice questions, based on the training topics.

Official sources (5) · last checked 18 October 2026