Rick Gilleland
Between credit cards and airline loyalty programs, the term “platinum service” has lost its shine.
Many companies will call just about anything a platinum service. More and more, platinum feels like basic service with very few additional benefits.
That’s where Toyota forklift technicians stand apart.
Toyota’s platinum-level technician rating isn’t a box to check. It’s an uncompromising standard that recognizes only the very best Toyota-certified technicians. Among forklift technicians, it remains the pinnacle of professional achievement. For you, the platinum certification means you have the best technicians in the country keeping your fleet running.
Read on to learn:
- What makes the platinum certification so elite
- Why forklift technician certification level matters for your fleet
- How to get the most out of your forklift repair team
Toyota Forklift Technician Levels
Toyota certifies technicians, not mechanics.
That might sound like semantics, but the mindset difference is critical. A mechanic treats symptoms. They fix things like blown hydraulic hoses and short circuits. A technician diagnoses and repairs the underlying cause. Their training allows them to understand:
- Why a breakdown happened
- How to fix the immediate issue
- How to prevent it from happening again
Technicians earn their skills through extensive experience and rigorous training.
Bronze Certification
Before the bronze certification program, the candidate must be a Toyota factory-certified technician.
That minimum standard ensures they can perform planned maintenance and non-diagnostic repairs. In addition, they must have at least 18 months of experience as a technician at an authorized Toyota forklift dealership.
After meeting these prerequisites, the technician can attempt bronze certification.
To achieve bronze-level, the technician completes nearly a dozen online training modules and four classroom courses with a certified trainer. These courses cover Toyota engines, electrical systems, and hydraulic circuit components.
Candidates must achieve scores of 80% or better on all evaluations.
Silver Certification
Silver certification trains candidates to diagnose and repair most forklift engine and electrical issues.
Bronze technicians with three years of experience can take this certification course. The program focuses on Toyota products for Class 1-5 forklifts. The curriculum covers a variety of topics, including:
- Forklift engine repair
- Electrical systems
- Auxiliary power system installation and repair
- Suspension and steering
Mastery of all course components earns the silver-level certification.
Gold Certification
Silver technicians with five years of experience qualify for the gold certification course.
This program trains technicians to independently diagnose and repair all forklift engine and electrical issues. It requires courses in advanced troubleshooting and culminates in the Master Technician Gold Test. This multi-day in-person evaluation includes a written test and a practical assessment.
The written test includes over 300 service and maintenance questions. For the practical assessment, candidates must diagnose and repair a forklift under the examiner's observation. The examiner scores the technician on their technical knowledge and troubleshooting.
Ultimately, the technician must demonstrate advanced diagnostic abilities and explain repairs.
Platinum Certification
The platinum certification represents a tremendous leap forward in technical knowledge.
Unlike previous certification levels, platinum certification is not permanent. Gold technicians must renew platinum status every 12 months. Completing the annual testing does not guarantee platinum status. Only the top 10% of test-takers receive Toyota's platinum certification.
Additionally, Toyota invites the top ten of that 10% to the factory to compete in the Platinum Skills Challenge. This competition tests diagnostic abilities through a series of timed challenges. The top three technicians earn cash prizes in recognition of their elite skills.
Gold technicians must renew annually and score in the top 10% each year. Only remarkable technicians ever achieve this level.
Our own Jerry Underwood earned his 2026 platinum certification.
Congratulations to Jerry Underwood, our latest technician to achieve platinum status!
Forklift Repair Experience Matters
Experienced technicians are more than a source of pride.
We’ll be the first to tell you how deeply proud we are of Jerry and our other outstanding technicians. All of us at the Lilly Company stand a little taller knowing we have such an incredible team representing us in the field. Yet, certification levels aren’t just a feel-good.
Certified technicians deliver real savings for your operation.
We know that you lose money every hour your forklift is down. Consequently, slow diagnostics and repairs are unacceptable. That’s why we employ technicians instead of mechanics. A mechanic might fix the immediate issue, but a technician fixes the actual problem.
Toyota forklift technician certification levels emphasize diagnostics for the same reason.
Quick, high-quality repairs are vital and at the core of every project for a Toyota-certified technician. Yet, troubleshooting is often the real time-waster. Process of elimination takes a while, adding hours to a forklift’s downtime.
However, a skilled technician avoids trial-and-error. Their expertise pinpoints the root issue and often cuts diagnostic time to just an hour or two.
Bronze, silver, gold, and platinum technicians minimize forklift downtime, protecting your budget and deadlines.
Forklift Service Plans
A structured maintenance agreement prevents unplanned downtime in the first place.
A maintenance agreement is a customizable service plan crafted to fit your fleet size and budget. These plans receive the full benefit of our experienced Toyota-certified technicians without disrupting your operation.
There are three plan types that we offer:
- Contract Maintenance. This comprehensive service plan covers regular inspections, planned maintenance, and most repairs without an in-house technician. It helps eliminate surprise expenses and provides most services at a fixed cost. This option is best for operations that want predictable service and repair costs.
- On-Site Tech. A dedicated technician provides immediate, ongoing support at your facility. This is ideal for fleets with 100+ forklifts or operations that are especially rough on their equipment.
- Planned Maintenance. This plan focuses on routine maintenance to prevent breakdowns, extend equipment life, and support safe operations. It’s best for operations with smaller service budgets.
Whichever maintenance agreement you select, our factory-certified technicians have the training and experience to keep your fleet running. From bronze to platinum, our team tackles every job with a first-visit-fix mindset, minimizing downtime. Count on us to keep your fleet rolling.
Wherever you operate across Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, or eastern Arkansas, trust The Lilly Company to keep your fleet running at peak performance. Reach out online or call us at 844-LILLYCO (1-844-545-5926) to discover how our Toyota-certified team can deliver unmatched reliability and fewer headaches for your business. Experience the difference true platinum expertise brings to your operation.
Arkansas – Jonesboro
Alabama – Dothan, Irondale, Mobile, and Montgomery
Mississippi – Tupelo and Richland
Tennessee – Jackson and Memphis
Further Reading
Fast Forklift Repair That’s Done Right
How To Calculate the True Cost of Downtime
A Beginner’s Guide to Forklift Maintenance Agreements
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