ABA Removes Category D2 for Reach Trucks: What This Means for Your Workplace Training in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk & Cambridgeshire

The Accrediting Bodies Association (ABA) has announced a major update to UK workplace transport training: Category D2 for reach forklift trucks has been officially removed. This change affects employers, operators, and training providers across the UK—especially those running busy warehouse operations where high‑lift reach trucks are standard equipment.

At Inline Training Ltd, we deliver on‑site forklift training across Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, and this update is already shaping how businesses approach reach truck operator training and compliance.

What Has Changed?

The ABA has merged the old D1 and D2 categories into a single, simplified category:

➡️ D1 now covers all reach trucks, regardless of lift height

Previously:

D1 = reach trucks up to 8 metres
D2 = reach trucks over 8 metres

This height‑based split has now been removed. Whether your reach truck lifts to 6m, 10m or 13m, it is now classified under D1.

This update also aligns with modern warehouse equipment, where high‑lift reach trucks are increasingly common and no longer considered specialist machinery.

Why Has the ABA Removed Category D2?

The ABA’s 2026 review highlighted several issues with the old system:

Modern reach trucks routinely exceed 8 metres, making the D1/D2 split outdated
Confusion among employers about which category applied
Inconsistent training records across providers
No meaningful difference in operator skill requirements between D1 and D2

By removing D2, the ABA aims to create a clearer, more consistent and more practical training framework for UK businesses.

What Employers Need to Know

Although the category has changed, your legal responsibilities have not.

Under the HSE’s Approved Code of Practice L117, employers must ensure operators receive:

Basic training
Specific job training
Familiarisation training

This must be carried out on the actual reach truck model and lift height used in your workplace.

Important:

Even though D2 no longer exists, employers must still ensure operators are competent on high‑lift reach trucks. The category change does not reduce training requirements—it simply removes an administrative barrier.

What Happens to Existing D1 or D2 Certificates?

Good news: All existing certificates remain valid.

Operators do not need to retrain simply because the category structure has changed. However, employers must still provide familiarisation or conversion training if an operator moves to a significantly different machine.

How Inline Training Ltd Supports You Through This Change

Inline Training Ltd delivers on‑site reach truck training using your own equipment, ensuring operators are trained in the exact environment they work in. This approach is fully aligned with HSE guidance and ABA expectations.

We provide:

ABA‑aligned reach truck training (new D1 category)
High‑lift reach truck familiarisation modules
Refresher training for existing operators
Conversion training for operators moving from other truck types
Competency assessments for compliance audits

And because we train at your site, using your reach trucks, your operators gain real‑world skills that directly improve safety and efficiency.

Benefits of Reach Truck Training with Inline Training Ltd

Improve warehouse safety and reduce incidents
Ensure compliance with UK workplace transport regulations
Train operators on real equipment, not generic machines
Meet HSE L117 requirements for adequate forklift training
Support productivity with confident, competent reach truck operators
Receive training across Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire

These benefits help your business stay compliant, efficient and safe—especially as the industry adapts to the new ABA category structure.

Why This Update Matters for Local Businesses

Warehouses across East Anglia are increasingly using high‑lift reach trucks to maximise storage capacity. The removal of Category D2 reflects this shift and ensures training standards match modern equipment.

For employers in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, this means:

Simpler training records
Clearer certification
More consistent operator competence
Easier compliance with HSE and ABA guidance

Inline Training Ltd is here to help you navigate these changes smoothly.

Final Thoughts

The ABA’s decision to remove Category D2 is a positive step toward clearer, more modern reach truck training standards. While the category name has changed, the need for robust, workplace‑specific training remains essential.

Inline Training Ltd continues to support employers across Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire with high‑quality, compliant reach truck training that meets the updated ABA requirements.