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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CPCS Mobile Crane Exam

80%

Pass Score

NOCN CPCS Scheme Standards

60 min

Theory Duration

CPCS A60 Assessment Specification

2 Years

Red Card Validity

CPCS Scheme Rules

5 Years

Blue Card Validity

CPCS Scheme Rules

8 Topics

Core Content Domains

CPCS A60 Syllabus

Prepare for the UK CPCS A60 Mobile Crane test with 100 high-quality questions on duty charts, outriggers, RCI safety systems, wind limits, and BS 7121 regulations.

Sample CPCS Mobile Crane Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CPCS Mobile Crane exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under BS 7121 and UK LOLER 1998, what is the primary operational distinction of an All-Terrain (AT) mobile crane compared to a Rough-Terrain (RT) mobile crane?

A.All-Terrain cranes are road-legal for high-speed highway travel and feature multi-axle crab/all-wheel steering, whereas Rough-Terrain cranes are restricted to site-only use.

B.Rough-Terrain cranes feature multi-telescopic lattice booms suited for high-rise lifts, whereas All-Terrain cranes only use fixed pin-jib booms.

C.All-Terrain cranes do not require outriggers when lifting at maximum capacity, whereas Rough-Terrain cranes must always be fully extended.

D.Rough-Terrain cranes are exempt from LOLER 1998 thorough examinations due to their off-road design classification.

Explanation: All-Terrain (AT) mobile cranes are designed with high-speed road chassis allowing highway travel between sites combined with multi-axle all-wheel/crab steering for off-road maneuvering. Rough-Terrain (RT) cranes feature large single-cab setups with high-flotation tires meant primarily for rough job site travel and cannot be driven legally on public highways at speed.

2When traveling a mobile crane on public highways in the UK under STGO (Special Types General Order) regulations, what must the crane operator verify regarding counterweights and boom position?

A.The boom must be fully retracted, rested in the travel bracket, and axle load limits strictly compliant with STGO category restrictions.

B.The boom must be extended to 50% length with counterweight suspended to balance rear axle pressure.

C.The fly jib must be fully rigged and offset at 30 degrees to reduce overall transport length.

D.Outriggers must be extended 0.5 meters outward to provide lateral stability during high-speed cornering.

Explanation: Under UK road traffic and STGO rules, mobile cranes traveling on highways must have the boom fully retracted and secured in its travel rest, with counterweights configured strictly according to the crane's road travel permit to adhere to legal axle weight limits.

3What is the core function of crab steering mode on a multi-axle All-Terrain mobile crane?

A.To steer all wheels in the same direction, allowing the crane to move diagonally into tight site positions.

B.To lock the front axles and steer only the rear axles for high-speed highway cornering.

C.To turn front and rear wheels in opposite directions to minimize the turning circle radius.

D.To automatically adjust outrigger extension lengths while driving across uneven muddy terrain.

Explanation: Crab steering turns all wheels in the same direction at the same angle, allowing the mobile crane to move sideways or diagonally. This is essential when positioning the crane parallel to structures in tight site spaces.

4A mobile crane is configured with crab steering, independent rear steering, and front-wheel drive options. When maneuvering on public roads, which steering mode is legally mandatory?

A.Front-wheel (highway) steer mode with rear axle steering locked in the straight-ahead position.

B.Full crab steer mode to allow rapid lane changes on motorways.

C.Coordinated all-wheel steer mode active at all speeds above 30 mph.

D.Manual rear-steer override activated continuously by the operator.

Explanation: On public roads, standard highway steering (front axle steering with rear steering locked in line) is mandatory to ensure predictable vehicle dynamics and compliance with UK Construction and Use Regulations.

5What main advantage does a Rough-Terrain (RT) mobile crane offer over a conventional truck-mounted crane when working on unpaved site ground?

A.Large oversized flotation tires, high ground clearance, and four-wheel drive capability for soft ground mobility.

B.Higher road speed capabilities enabling inter-city travel without transport low-loaders.

C.Greater main boom length exceeding 100 meters without requiring counterweights.

D.Automatic levelling outriggers that do not require ground matting.

Explanation: Rough-Terrain cranes feature large high-flotation tires, deep tread patterns, four-wheel drive, and wide track bases engineered specifically for navigating soft, unpaved construction job sites.

6Which mobile crane category combines the off-road capability of a Rough-Terrain crane with the road-going performance of a truck crane?

A.All-Terrain (AT) Crane.

B.Crawler Lattice Crane.

C.Compact City Crane.

D.Side-boom Loader Crane.

Explanation: All-Terrain (AT) cranes are specifically engineered to bridge the gap: they feature specialized suspension and multi-axle drive systems for off-road site conditions while maintaining high-speed highway capability.

7When inspecting a mobile crane's telescopic boom pin-and-latch mechanism during setup, what indication confirms the boom section is safely locked?

A.Visual and electronic indicator confirmation on the cab display showing the locking pins fully engaged in the tele-section.

B.A sudden drop in hydraulic oil pressure to zero on the main hoist gauge.

C.The RCI system issuing a continuous audible overload warning beep.

D.The main hoist rope becoming completely slack on the winch drum.

Explanation: Modern single-cylinder telescopic booms use proximity sensors and mechanical visual pins to confirm that telescoping sections are locked into position. Both the cab RCI screen and visual indicators must confirm pin engagement.

8What is the primary function of a Rated Capacity Indicator (RCI) / Rated Capacity Limiter (RCL) fitted to a mobile crane under BS EN 13000?

A.To continuously monitor boom length, angle, radius, and load, providing visual/audible warnings and stopping crane movements that exceed rated capacity.

B.To automatically calculate fuel consumption rates and schedule engine oil changes.

C.To control the steering angle of outrigger jacks during highway travel.

D.To record operator attendance hours for site payroll compliance.

Explanation: The RCI/RCL is a safety-critical electronic system mandatory on mobile cranes under BS EN 13000. It measures geometry and force inputs, warns the operator when approaching safe load limits (typically at 90-95%), and cuts off motion (lockout) at 100-102% of rated capacity.

9At what percentage of the safe working load (SWL) / rated capacity does a standard UK mobile crane RCI system typically trigger the initial audible/visual amber warning signal?

A.At approximately 90% to 95% of rated capacity.

B.At exactly 50% of rated capacity.

C.At 115% of rated capacity after structural yield occurs.

D.At 75% of maximum engine rpm.

Explanation: Standard RCI systems give a pre-warning (amber light / intermittent buzzer) when the lifted load reaches roughly 90% to 95% of the crane's rated capacity for the current configuration, allowing the operator time to halt movement before motion cut-out at 100%.

10When an RCI system triggers a full motion cut-out (lockout) due to an overload condition, which crane operations are automatically prevented by the control system?

A.Aggravating motions such as hoisting up, telescoping out, and lowering the boom (derricking down).

B.Non-aggravating motions such as lowering the load hook and telescoping boom sections inward.

C.Slewing towards the outrigger with the highest ground pressure only.

D.Engine ignition start and cab air conditioning controls.

Explanation: When lockout occurs, the RCI cuts off all 'aggravating' motions—those that increase load radius or load moment (derricking down, telescoping out, hoisting up). It permits 'relieving' motions (derricking up, telescoping in, hoisting down) to safely return the crane to a stable condition.

About the CPCS Mobile Crane Exam

The UK CPCS A60 Mobile Crane Theory Test assesses candidate knowledge on safe mobile crane operations, rated capacity indicators (RCI), load chart reading, ground bearing calculations, outrigger positioning, wind thresholds, rigging, and compliance with BS 7121 and LOLER 1998.

Questions

28 scored questions

Time Limit

60 minutes

Passing Score

80%

Exam Fee

£45 (NOCN Job Cards / CPCS Scheme)

CPCS Mobile Crane Exam Content Outline

15%

Mobile Crane Types & Characteristics

All-terrain, rough-terrain, truck-mounted, and crawler crane configurations, axle loading, steering modes, and road travel regulations.

15%

RCI / RCL Systems & Operational Safety

Rated Capacity Indicators (RCI) / Rated Capacity Limiters (RCL), sensor inputs, override keys, anti-two-block (A2B) devices, and lockout triggers.

15%

Duty Charts & Radius Calculations

Reading main boom and fly jib load charts, gross vs net capacity, boom length, operating radius, deducts for tackle, and reeving deductions.

15%

Outrigger Setup & Ground Bearing Capacity

Full/partial outrigger extension, mat size calculations, maximum outrigger load, soil bearing pressures, matting, and proximity to excavations.

10%

Rigging, Fly Jibs & Counterweight Configuration

Rigging/derigging procedures, counterweight installation/removal, fly jib offset angles, reeving parts of line, and sling angle calculations.

10%

Wind Speed Limits & Environmental Safety

Anemometer monitoring, maximum allowable operational wind speeds, sail area adjustments for bulky loads, lightning, and adverse weather.

10%

Hand Signals & Slinger/Signaller Communication

BS 7121 standardized hand signals, two-way radio protocols, blind lifts, signaling responsibilities, and emergency stop signals.

10%

LOLER 1998, BS 7121 & Daily Pre-Operational Checks

LOLER 1998 regulations, BS 7121 Safe Use of Cranes, 14-month/6-month thorough examinations, daily pre-start inspections, defect logging.

How to Pass the CPCS Mobile Crane Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 80%
Exam length: 28 questions
Time limit: 60 minutes
Exam fee: £45

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CPCS Mobile Crane Study Tips from Top Performers

1Always subtract rigging tackle weight, block weight, and fly jib deducts from gross chart capacity to get net load capacity.

2Ensure outrigger mats are sized using Maximum Outrigger Load divided by Permissible Ground Bearing Capacity.

3Know the BS 7121 hand signals for main hoist, whip line, slewing, boom elevation, and emergency stop.

4Check anemometer wind readings at boom tip height rather than ground level when assessing wind limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is covered in the CPCS A60 Mobile Crane theory test?

The test covers crane technical specifications, RCI/RCL safety systems, load chart calculations, outrigger and ground bearing principles, rigging, wind limits, BS 7121 hand signals, and statutory safety under LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998.

What passing score is required for CPCS A60 theory?

Candidates must achieve at least 80% to pass the theory assessment before advancing to the practical test.

How long is the CPCS A60 card valid?

A CPCS Red Trained Operator Card is valid for 2 years, upgradable to a Blue Competent Operator Card valid for 5 years upon completing NVQ Level 2.

100+ Free CPCS Mobile Crane Practice Questions

CPCS A60 Mobile Crane (NOCN/CPCS, UK)

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