New ABA Workplace Transport Grouping Categories
From 19 January 2026, the Accrediting Bodies Association for Workplace Transport (ABA) will update the Workplace Transport Groupings Categories.
“Previously, existing categories have been stretched to accommodate new truck types entering the market. Updating the categories reflects advances in technology but also the shared responsibility to keep training relevant, compliant and effective” explains Jules Cook, Training Manager of AITT (Association of Industrial Truck Trainers)
Changes include the removal, creation and reclassification of categories, more specifically height ranges and boom lengths. These changes will not invalidate operators’ existing certificates even if the category is affected. However, we have provided a brief overview of these updates, to give you the clarity and confidence to navigate these changes successfully.
Updated effective from 19 January 2026:
Low Level Order Pickers (Moves from A Group to E0)
Low-level order pickers will move from A2 (rider-operated electric pallet trucks) to E0, a new category specifically for order picker trucks.
Counterbalance Trucks (B1 Category will now include the B4 Category Group)
B1 (counterbalance lift trucks up to 5 tonnes) and B4 (stand-on counterbalance trucks) will merge into a single B1 category, covering seated and stand-on trucks up to 5,000 kg.
Reach Trucks (D Group there will only be a D1 category not D1,D2 AND D3)
D1 (3–8 metres), D2 (over 8 metres) and D3 (stand-on reach trucks) will merge into a single D1 category with no height restrictions. Therefore, D1 will cover all of the reach and staddle truck variants, including stand on or seated (the exact same as the counterbalance).
Tow Tractors (H Group)
H3 (pedestrian tow tractor and trailer over 15 tonnes) is removed, leaving H1 (rider) and H2 (pedestrian) with no weight restrictions.
Telescopic Handlers (J Group the categories for above 9m will be removed)
Categories J2, J4 and J6 (rough terrain, industrial and 360-degree slew trucks up to 9m) will be removed. Remaining categories J1, J3, J5, J7 and J8 will have no height restrictions.
The ABA have sought to simplify the structure as some categories, like the J5 (industrial high lift truck above 9 metres), had no trucks in production meaning that there was a category where there were no trucks that could be physically trained on.
Multidirectional Trucks (M Group a new Category M4 is introduced)
A new M4 category is introduced for pedestrian-operated stacker trucks, and the existing category for A7 will not include this machine type
Vertical Stock Pickers (SP Group)
A new SP1 category is created for machines like the Crown Wave, replacing the AITT S3 category.
How will the ABA changes affect your business?
Booking your Training
Our booking process will remain the same. To help guarantee the correct categorisation for training, if there is any doubt, simply provide the make and model of the truck, and we will arrange the correct training for you.
If you want to book a course for January for one of the updated categories, the test date will determine whether delegates are issued with the old or new category code.
For further support or guidance, contact our team today.
Accreditations
All accrediting bodies who form part of the Accrediting Bodies association AITT, RTITB, NPORS, LANTRA and ITSSAR have collaborated and agreed the updated changes so each accrediting body will be following the new category classifications.
Course Durations
Jules Cook, AITT Technical Manager advises, “All course durations will remain the same. explains If a category type has merged into a new category, then the category will adopt the course length associated with the new category.”
“For example, the B4 counterbalance truck will be reclassified under the B1 counterbalance. From 19 January, the training will need to follow the course durations for the B1 machine which is a five-day course.”
For more information, check out AITT.
Certificates
Certificates issued before 19 January will show the original category code.
For example, a D1 certificate issued for training on a D2 machine will display the D1 category if the delegate is tested before 19 January 2026.
Any certificate issued after the category changes will display the new changes. This will also apply for any replacement certificates or ID cards.
Testing Standards
There are no immediate changes to the testing standards.
Existing testing standards will remain the same until the ABA release a new testing standard.
For example, low level order pickers were originally in the A2 category but will be moving to E0. Until stated otherwise, low level order pickers will be trained using the existing A2 standard.
It’s important to note that the definition of high level is not going to change (no less than 3 metres).