How often must a forklift be inspected in Germany?

The BetrSichV sets no fixed interval. The employer sets it in the risk assessment so that the truck can be used safely until the next inspection (Section 3(6), Section 14(2) BetrSichV).

Is there a two-month margin after the due date?

That rule is in Section 14(5) and applies only to equipment under Annex 2, Sections 2 to 4, and Annex 3 of the BetrSichV. Industrial trucks are not listed in those annexes.

Who may carry out the inspection?

A qualified person, meaning someone with suitable vocational training, professional experience and recent professional work (Section 2(6) BetrSichV). The employer decides what requirements they must meet (Section 3(6)).

What applies after an accident?

Before further use, a qualified person must carry out an extraordinary inspection if the event may have harmed the truck's safety (Section 14(3) BetrSichV).

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Plan periodic forklift inspections on time

Germany's BetrSichV sets no fixed interval for forklift inspections: the employer sets it in the risk assessment so the truck stays safe until the next test, carried out by a qualified person (Sections 3(6), 14(2) BetrSichV). A truck may not be used without a documented test (Section 4(4)).

Under Germany's Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV), the employer must have work equipment that is exposed to damaging influences which could endanger employees inspected periodically by a person qualified to carry out inspections (zur Prüfung befähigte Person) (Section 14(2)). The employer determines the type and scope of the inspections and their intervals in the risk assessment, unless the regulation already sets them. Intervals must be set so that the equipment can be used safely until the next inspection (Section 3(6)).

The BetrSichV sets maximum intervals only for the equipment in Annex 2 (lifts, explosion hazards, pressure installations) and Annex 3 (cranes, LPG installations, event technology). Industrial trucks (Flurförderzeuge) are not listed there; they appear in Annex 1, No. 1 among mobile work equipment. If an inspection shows that the equipment cannot be operated safely until the next one, the interval must be reset (Section 14(2)).

After changes that require testing and after exceptional events such as accidents, long periods out of use or natural events, a qualified person must inspect the equipment before it is used again (Section 14(3)). In addition, the employer ensures that equipment is checked for obvious defects before each use and that protective and safety devices are regularly checked for proper function (Section 4(5)).

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At a glance

Periodic inspection	By a qualified person (Section 14(2) BetrSichV)
Interval	Set and documented by the employer in the risk assessment (Section 3(6) and (8))
Extraordinary inspection	After accidents, long periods out of use, natural events and changes that require testing (Section 14(3))
Before each use	Check for obvious defects (Section 4(5))
Records	Type and scope of the inspection, result, name and signature; kept at least until the next inspection (Section 14(7))
Drivers	Only suitable employees who have received appropriate instruction (Annex 1, No. 1.9)

The rule in Section 14(5) on the due month and a two-month margin applies only to equipment under Annex 2, Sections 2 to 4, and Annex 3. Industrial trucks are not listed there.

Who is responsible?

The employer has the trucks inspected, sets the type, scope and intervals of the inspections and records them in the risk assessment documentation (Section 14(2), Section 3(6) and (8) no. 4 BetrSichV). The employer also decides what requirements the qualified persons it engages must meet (Section 3(6)). A qualified person is someone whose vocational training, professional experience and recent professional work give them the necessary knowledge (Section 2(6)); when inspecting, they are not bound by the employer's technical instructions (Section 14(6)). If equipment is used at different sites, proof of the last inspection must be kept at the site (Section 14(7)).

If the deadline passes

Equipment that requires inspections may only be used if those inspections have been carried out and documented (Section 4(4) BetrSichV). Administrative offences include, among others, intentionally or negligently failing to ensure this (Section 22(1) no. 8), failing to have an extraordinary inspection carried out or carried out in time (no. 29), or failing to ensure that the result is recorded and kept (no. 30). Anyone who endangers an employee's life or health through such an intentional act is liable to prosecution under Section 26 no. 2 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Section 23(1)).

What the interval can be based on

For the risk assessment the employer gathers the information needed, in particular the rules and findings published under Section 21(6) no. 1, instructions for use and operating manuals, and findings from occupational health checks (Section 3(4) BetrSichV). The risk assessment must be reviewed regularly and updated without delay after safety-relevant changes or new findings, for example from accidents (Section 3(7)).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each industrial truck and enter the date of the next periodic inspection that you set in the risk assessment.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself.
The inspector can upload the inspection report through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person to each truck, such as the warehouse or plant manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How often must a forklift be inspected in Germany?: The BetrSichV sets no fixed interval. The employer sets it in the risk assessment so that the truck can be used safely until the next inspection (Section 3(6), Section 14(2) BetrSichV).
Is there a two-month margin after the due date?: That rule is in Section 14(5) and applies only to equipment under Annex 2, Sections 2 to 4, and Annex 3 of the BetrSichV. Industrial trucks are not listed in those annexes.
Who may carry out the inspection?: A qualified person, meaning someone with suitable vocational training, professional experience and recent professional work (Section 2(6) BetrSichV). The employer decides what requirements they must meet (Section 3(6)).
What applies after an accident?: Before further use, a qualified person must carry out an extraordinary inspection if the event may have harmed the truck's safety (Section 14(3) BetrSichV).

Sources

Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for forklift annual inspection (DGUV V68) (Germany)

A ready template for forklift annual inspection (DGUV V68) (Germany) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each forklift annual inspection (DGUV V68) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each forklift annual inspection (DGUV V68) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.