Heavy machinery license

You need to have a heavy machinery license to operate the following machines in Iceland:

A - Tower cranes and construction cranes
B - Mobile cranes larger than 18 tonnes
C - Bridge cranes
D - Cranes 18 tonnes or less
E - Excavators larger than 4 tons F - Wheel loaders
G - Bulldozers
H - Graders
I - Tractors and smaller mobile machines
J - Forklifts with a capacity of 10 tonnes or less
K - Lift trucks of more than 10 tonnes
L - Rollers
M - Asphalt-laying machines
P - Loading cranes with a capacity of 18 tonnes or less

If you have a heavy machinery license issued by another member state of the EEA, you must have your rights recognized by the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health in Iceland.

This is in accordance with the Act on the Recognition of Professional Education and Qualifications for Work in Iceland.

Conditions

To obtain a heavy machinery license you need to

• have reached the age of 17

• have a valid driver's license for a car

• have completed the required education and training

• pass a practical exam administered by the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health

Education

Theoretical training

Smaller sizes of work machines: classes J, I, D, L, M and P

For heavy machinery in these categories, you can take a so-called Primary course at the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health. The course is an online course, so it can be taken wherever and whenever it suits the student. The course ends with a written multiple-choice test at the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health’s facilities or with partners.

Learn more about Primary courses

Construction crane course: category A

The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health holds a course on the rights to control construction cranes. The course ends with a theoretical test at the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health’s offices or with partners.

Learn more about construction crane courses

Bridge crane course: category C

Driving schools and workplaces that have been recognized by the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health hold bridge crane courses.

All working machines: all categories

Driving schools and others that have been recognized by the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health hold so-called Basic courses that grant qualifications in all work machine categories. They end with a theoretical test at the respective driving school, which gives the right to start practical training under the supervision of a teacher.

Theoretical testing

The Primary course ends with a written multiple-choice test. A valid photo ID must be shown before taking the test. People with learning disabilities can get help reading the test.

Practical training

Practical training must be carried out in such an environment that there is no danger of accidents from the training. Employers often assist their employees’ finding teachers.

Practical training can take place:   

• in a workplace with a qualified instructor    

• in a simulation of the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health - contact vinnueftirlit@ver.is to schedule an appointment

Practical examination

You need to register for a practical examination. You will be assigned an examiner who will contact you within three working days to schedule the exam. A valid photo ID must be shown before taking the exam.

In the registration you need to state:      

• Who pays for the exam and the certificate?
  You choose individual registration if you intend to pay for the exam and certificate. Individuals pay during the registration process. You choose company registration if a company pays for the exam and certificate. Companies receive an invoice.

• Where the examination takes place.
  The location of the examination must be registered.

• How many people are taking exams.
  You can enter several exam takers when practical exams are requested for a group of staff.

• Which categories of rights you want to take.
  You must select the exam categories you want to take. An examination fee is paid for each category.

• Instructor.
  You need to register an instructor who has a recognized teaching license in the license category in which the person intends to take the exam. The instructor's phone number or e-mail address must be registered. The person will then receive a message to log in and confirm that practical training has taken place.

Construction crane test

Good eyesight, hearing and mobility are required to operate a construction crane. A medical certificate must be sent before the practical crane test takes place. The certificate must confirm the following:  

• Vision: ≥0.8 in the better eye and ≥0.1 in the worse eye (with glasses)

• Field of vision normal

• Hearing normal   

• Limb bearing normal and unhindered     

• The applicant is healthy in other respects and does not have a disease or is taking medication or other substances that interfere with judgment or can cause a sudden loss of consciousness.

Certificate must be less than six months old. Instead of a medical certificate, a certificate of enhanced driving privileges that is less than 6 months old can be presented.

Heavy machinery license

The certificate is issued and sent by post.

You can also download a digital certificate from Ísland.is.

Rights

The certificate shows the categories of rights in which you have passed the practical test. Rights to larger machines are often accompanied by rights to smaller machines.

Example:

• Rights in categories E and F also give rights in category I.

• Rights in class B also give rights in class P and D.

• Rights in class K also give rights in class J.

Driver's license

If you lose your driver's license, you may only operate heavy machinery in fenced areas and company grounds.
Police decide where traffic laws apply if there is any doubt.

Cost

Costs are threefold:

1.  Price for courses:

• A Primary course costs 53.900 ISK

• Construction crane course costs 48.600 ISK

• Prices for Basic courses and bridge crane courses can be found at driving schools and other authorized sources.

2.  A practical exam on a work machine costs 10.590 ISKfor each category of rights.

3.  The certificate fee is 8.470 ISK. The fee is collected along with the fee for the practical exam.

Validity and renewal

General heavy machine rights are valid until the age of 70. After that, you have to apply for renewal of rights.

Construction crane rights must be renewed every ten years.