Electric Pallet Jack Practice Test
Fifteen questions on the walkie pallet jack: where to walk, the brake in the handle, the reversing button, your feet, and the powered industrial truck (PIT) rules that cover it.
The short answer
An electric pallet jack is a powered industrial truck (a Class III motorized hand truck), so OSHA's forklift rule applies: training and an evaluation before you use one. A manual, hand-pumped jack is not covered. Test questions center on walking to the side of the truck and out of its path, keeping your feet clear, the handle that brakes when you let go, the reversing button, and taking the load end into elevators first.
Electric pallet jack Practice Test
15 questions: 12 on the electric pallet jack itself and 3 on OSHA rules that apply to every truck. Each answer is explained with the rule behind it as you go.
Score 12 out of 15 (80%) to pass. No time limit, no signup.
What is on an electric pallet jack test?
The rules below are what the questions test. Each one lists its source: a paragraph of OSHA's forklift rule, 29 CFR 1910.178, another OSHA rule, or the OSHA or manufacturer guidance it comes from.
- Electric pallet jacks are covered by 1910.178. Manual pallet jacks are not. (1910.178(a)(1))
- Power unit first: walk to one side and slightly ahead, out of the truck's path. Forks first: both hands on the handle, feet clear. (Crown WP 3200 manual)
- On a typical walkie, letting go of the handle lets it spring upright and apply the brake. The reversing button moves the truck toward the forks if it presses against you. (Crown WP 3200 manual)
- Protective footwear where feet can be hurt by rolling or falling objects, and never let the truck run over your foot. (1910.136(a); Crown WP 3200 manual)
- No riding on a walk-behind jack. (1910.178(m)(3))
- Load end first into elevators and other confined areas. (1910.178(n)(13))
- Never drive toward someone standing in front of a wall or other fixed object. (1910.178(m)(1))
- Inspect it before use, at least daily, like any powered truck. (1910.178(q)(7))
Sample electric pallet jack test questions and answers
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1. True or false: A manual, hand-pumped pallet jack is covered by OSHA's forklift rule, 29 CFR 1910.178.
- A. True
- B. False (correct)
Why: False. 1910.178(a)(1) covers trucks powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines. A manual pallet jack has neither, so the forklift rule does not apply to it. An electric one is covered.
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2. Walking a walkie pallet jack power unit first (the truck following you), where should you walk?
- A. Directly in front of it, walking backward
- B. To one side and slightly ahead of the power unit, out of the truck's path (correct)
- C. Directly in front of it, facing forward in its path
- D. Riding on the forks
Why: Crown's WP 3200 walkie manual says that when traveling power unit first, stay to one side of the truck and slightly ahead of the power unit, use the hand closest to the truck on the handle, and stay out of the truck's path.
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3. Taking an electric pallet jack onto an elevator, which end goes in first?
- A. The load end (forks) first (correct)
- B. The handle end first
- C. Either end
- D. Sideways
Why: 29 CFR 1910.178(n)(13): motorized hand trucks must enter elevators or other confined areas with the load end forward. Crown's walkie manual adds: check the elevator's capacity and set the brake.
Do you need to be certified to use an electric pallet jack?
Yes. An electric pallet jack is a motorized hand truck under 29 CFR 1910.178(a)(1), so the training rule in paragraph (l) applies: formal instruction, practical training, and an evaluation in the workplace, then the employer's certification under (l)(6).
Moving up from a walkie to a sit-down or stand-up forklift is a different type of truck, which needs its own training and evaluation under (l)(4)(ii)(D).
An online course covers the formal instruction only. For the full picture, read our pallet jack certification guide.
More practice tests
- General forklift practice test (10 or 30 questions)
- Order picker practice test
- Reach truck practice test
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