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Resume example

Forklift driver resume example

A forklift driver moves goods with powered handling equipment: counterbalance trucks to unload lorries on the dock, reach trucks to put pallets away at height in narrow aisles, sometimes order pickers with a raised cab.

A shift usually starts with the pre-use check of the truck (forks, chains, horn, brakes, battery or gas), recorded in a logbook. Then the work follows the warehouse management system: unload and check deliveries, put pallets in their assigned locations, replenish picking slots, bring orders to the dock and load trailers in the right sequence. The driver must respect traffic plans, load charts and pedestrian zones at all times. In industry, forklift drivers also feed production lines and remove finished goods.

Resume example

[First name Last name]

Forklift Driver | CACES R489 Cat. 3 and 5, High-Bay Storage

[City] · [phone] · [email]

Profile

Forklift driver with [x] years in logistics platforms and plants. Holds CACES R489 categories 3, 4 and 5, works on high racking in narrow aisles and loads trailers for multi-drop deliveries. Uses the WMS for put-away and replenishment and trains new drivers on site rules.

Experience

Forklift Driver, [Company] logistics platform, [City]

[month year] to present

  • Unloaded inbound lorries and checked deliveries against delivery notes before put-away
  • Stored pallets at height on reach truck (CACES R489 cat. 5) following WMS locations
  • Replenished picking locations ahead of each shift to avoid stock-outs for pickers
  • Loaded trailers in delivery order for multi-drop routes
  • Reported damaged racking and truck faults through the site incident procedure

Resume headlines

  • Forklift Driver | CACES R489 Cat. 3 and 5, High-Bay Storage
  • Warehouse Forklift Driver | Loading, Unloading and Put-Away with WMS
  • Industrial Forklift Driver | Line Supply and Finished Goods, 3x8 Shifts

Summaries for your profile

Entry level

Forklift driver holding a CACES R489 categories 1B, 3 and 5, obtained after a logistics training course with a placement in a retail warehouse. Comfortable with put-away at height, loading lorries and RF scanners. Careful driver who respects traffic rules and pre-use checks.

Experienced

Forklift driver with [x] years in logistics platforms and plants. Holds CACES R489 categories 3, 4 and 5, works on high racking in narrow aisles and loads trailers for multi-drop deliveries. Uses the WMS for put-away and replenishment and trains new drivers on site rules.

Career change

Former [previous job, for example delivery driver] who moved into warehousing with a CACES R489 training. Brings a strong sense of road safety and load securing, and now handles unloading, put-away and loading on a distribution platform.

Tips

  • List every CACES category you hold, with the date of issue.
  • Specify the truck types and lift heights you work at.
  • Mention the WMS or scanning tools you use.
  • Note the sectors: food, industry, retail, construction materials.
  • Highlight a clean safety record if you have one.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Writing « CACES » without the category, which recruiters need.
  • Listing an expired CACES as valid.
  • Forgetting receiving and stock tasks done alongside driving.
  • Claiming truck types or lift heights you have barely used: the on-site driving test will show it.

Working as a forklift driver in France

In France, search for cariste, cariste d'entrepôt, cariste magasinier, cariste réceptionnaire or conducteur de chariot élévateur. Driving a forklift at work requires a driving authorisation (autorisation de conduite) issued by the employer after training and a medical fitness check. The usual proof of training is the CACES R489, by category (1 pallet trucks, 3 and 4 counterbalance, 5 reach trucks, 6 order pickers), to be renewed periodically. A CAP or Bac pro in logistics or the Titre professionnel Cariste d'entrepôt can also cover training. Foreign certificates are rarely accepted directly. Temp agencies recruit many drivers, often for shift work.

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Frequently asked questions

Which CACES categories should I put on my resume?

All valid ones, by number. Category 1 covers pallet trucks and stackers, category 3 counterbalance trucks up to six tonnes, category 4 heavier ones, category 5 reach trucks and category 6 order pickers with raised cabs. Recruiters filter on these numbers, so be precise.

My CACES has expired. Should I still mention it?

Yes, but say it is expired and give the date, or note that you are booked for renewal. Your practical experience still counts. Many agencies can arrange a renewal test quickly, which is shorter than the initial training for experienced drivers.

Should I mention my safety record?

If it is clean, a short line such as « no accidents in [x] years of driving » reassures employers. Do not exaggerate. Recruiters care about how you behave around pedestrians and how carefully you check your truck.

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