Department of Justice and Community Safety

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If I don’t have a drivers licence, can I drive a forklift?

You do not need a drivers licence although you will need a "Certificate of Competency" to drive a forklift on a job site, however if you are driving a forklift on a public road you may need a heavy vehicle drivers licence, which can be obtained from the RTA.

Do you need a licence to use a “Dingo”?

Yes, you need to have a licence to operate a front end loader of the skid steer type to operate a “Dingo” or other similar platform operated “Bobcats”.

Do I need a permit to operate an elevating work platform?

A Certificate of Competency is required to operate an elevating work platform. Permits were required prior to assessment for a certificate under the previous certification system. The current certification system relays on recorded supervised training prior to obtaining certificates. Under the currant National Licensing System you have to have to complete a logbook while you are undergoing training. Logbooks can be picked up from ACT WorkCover, or a sample can be found here.

Is a licence required when operating a cherry picker? What about a passenger?

When operating a cherry picker or an elevating work platform (boom length >= 11 meters) you need to have a licence.

A passenger does not require the licence to operate if they are not operating the controls. If the passenger is required to use controls they require a licence to operate.

I have lost my certificate – how can I replace it?

If you have lost, misplaced or had your licence stolen you have to complete an Application for Transfer or Replacement of “Old Style” Certificates to a National Card and the statutory declaration form. The statutory declaration must be signed by yourself and a Justice of the Peace. An application fee of $36.00 (at 1 July 2007) must be paid at the time of application.

Do I require a certificate of competency to do a maintenance job on plant machinery?

No, as long you don’t operate the machine.

I have a ticket from another state, can I transfer to an ACT licence?

If you have a valid National Licence from another state, you can transfer it to an ACT licence. You MUST surrender your old certificate to transfer to an ACT licence.

If you have lost your interstate certificate you must apply to your original state of issue to have it replaced.

Workcover