Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

Driver Education illustration

Section 8 of 38

Chapter 7: Miscellaneous Originals

7.035 Forklift Trucks (VC §4013)

Any forklift truck that is designed primarily for loading, unloading, and stacking materials, which is operated or drawn upon a highway only to transport products or materials across a highway in the loading, unloading, or stacking process, and which is not operated along a highway for a distance greater than one-quarter mile, is exempt from registration.
Registration Required—A forklift truck operated along a highway for a distance greater than one-quarter mile is subject to registration as follows:

If the Vehicle Is MovedThen
LadenCommercial registration is required.
UnladenAutomobile registration is required. The vehicle is exempt from the weight fee (VC §9409).
The application must include a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form from the owner stating the vehicle will not be moved laden over the highways to qualify for the weight fee exemption.