100+ Free NRSWA Supervisor Practice Questions

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NRSWA Street Works Operative Units (City & Guilds 6167 / SWQR)

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NRSWA Supervisor Exam

80%

Pass Mark

City & Guilds 6167

5 years

Card Validity

SWQR

GBP 750

Average Course Fee

Approved Training Centres

Prepare for the NRSWA Street Works Supervisor SWQR card with 100 free practice questions covering supervisory cable location auditing, Chapter 8 site safety inspection, Traffic Management Act permit auditing, SROH 4th Edition compaction testing (Clegg hammer / CIV), asphalt temperature monitoring, and paving tolerance inspection. Local practice MCQs are an English-language study adaptation and do not replace mandatory practical site monitoring performance.

Sample NRSWA Supervisor Practice Questions

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

1When auditing a street works site prior to excavation, what is the supervisor's primary legal duty regarding utility plant plans under HSG47?

A.Rely on visual surface indicators such as valve covers and scar lines without checking physical plans

B.Assume utility plans are unnecessary if the proposed excavation depth is less than 500 mm

C.Ensure up-to-date utility plans for all relevant asset owners are available on site and verified by the work crew before ground breaking

D.Obtain utility plans only after encountering an unexpected underground apparatus

Explanation: Under HSG47 (Avoiding Danger from Underground Services), supervisors must verify that up-to-date utility plans from all relevant undertakers are physically present on site and reviewed with operatives before any ground breaking commences.

2During a routine site audit, a supervisor checks the Cable Avoiding Tool (CAT). What is the minimum requirement regarding CAT calibration validity?

A.The CAT must hold a valid, up-to-date calibration certificate (typically annual) and pass daily function checks before use

B.Calibration is required only if the unit suffers a physical impact or drops into water

C.Calibration certificates are valid for 5 years regardless of manufacturer recommendations

D.Daily self-test routines eliminate the need for formal laboratory calibration certificates

Explanation: Highways and safety standards require locator equipment to have a current calibration certificate (usually valid for 12 months) alongside mandatory daily operator function tests before site deployment.

3A supervisor observes an operative attempting to measure line depth using a CAT in 'Power' passive mode. Why must the supervisor stop this practice?

A.Power mode depth readings are accurate only when the ground is completely dry

B.Depth measurement can only be performed when the Genny is set to Radio mode

C.CAT units are physically incapable of calculating depth under any mode

D.Depth measurement mode on a CAT is only accurate when used in conjunction with a Genny direct connection or signal clamp

Explanation: Passive Power or Radio signals fluctuate based on grid load and field distortion, making depth readings unreliable. Accurate depth estimation requires an active signal transmitted via a Signal Generator (Genny) connection or clamp.

4When auditing an active signal sweep using induction mode, what distance should the Signal Generator (Genny) maintain from adjacent buried metallic pipes to prevent signal bleed-over?

A.No minimum distance is required as induction signals only energize targeted target pipes

B.At least 10 to 15 metres from adjacent utilities or metallic structures

C.Exactly 0.5 metres to ensure maximum signal transfer

D.At least 50 metres in all directions regardless of site geometry

Explanation: Induction transmits a signal through the ground in a wide radius. Placing the Genny within 10–15 metres of other metallic apparatus causes crosstalk/bleed-over, giving false locator readings on adjacent lines.

5In direct connection mode, where should the supervisor verify that the Genny ground earth stake has been placed relative to the target line?

A.At a 90-degree angle to the direction of the target pipe or cable, positioned as far as the lead allows

B.Directly parallel and within 100 mm of the target pipe

C.Clamped directly onto the metal casing of an adjacent high-voltage cable

D.Inserted into dry topsoil adjacent to the Genny handle

Explanation: To complete the circuit effectively and prevent signal cancellation or false coupling onto parallel utilities, the earth stake should be placed at right angles (90°) to the target line and well clear of parallel plant.

6Under HSG47, when is a supervisor required to mandate trial holes before allowing heavy mechanical excavation equipment to operate?

A.Only when excavating below a depth of 3.0 metres in rural locations

B.Trial holes are optional if the machine operator holds a valid CPCS card

C.Whenever underground services are indicated on utility plans or detected by CAT sweeps in the proposed excavation zone

D.Trial holes are only required for water mains, not for buried high-voltage cables

Explanation: HSG47 mandates hand-dug trial holes to confirm the precise position, depth, and alignment of all buried services indicated on plans or located during instrument sweeps before mechanical excavators are permitted.

7What hand digging practice must a supervisor enforce when operatives are exposing live buried high-voltage cables?

A.Operatives should use heavy pickaxes to loosen compacted soil above the cable line

B.Operatives must use insulated hand tools, dig along the side of the cable path rather than directly above it, and avoid using picks or spikes

C.Operatives must use horizontal force with sharp metal spades to slice through tree roots near the cable

D.Operatives may use pneumatic breakers directly over the marked cable route if set to low power

Explanation: HSG47 specifies that hand digging near live services must be carried out using insulated hand tools (BS 8020 standard), digging alongside the suspected line and levering soil away, never striking directly down or using pointed spikes/picks.

8When auditing an operative conducting a CAT search pattern across a site, which method demonstrates compliance with best practice?

A.Walking a single straight line down the center of the proposed trench path at high speed

B.Holding the CAT horizontally at shoulder height to cover a wider ground surface area

C.Sweeping only in Power mode to save battery life during initial site reconnaissance

D.A systematic grid pattern sweep in both directions, rotating the CAT 90 degrees at intersections and adjusting gain control continuously

Explanation: Best practice locator sweeps require a methodical grid walk across the entire site boundary, crossing at 90-degree angles to detect cables running in any orientation, with appropriate gain management.

9How should a supervisor verify the location of non-metallic underground pipes (such as plastic polyethylene water or gas mains) that do not carry an electromagnetic signal?

A.Rely on standard CAT sweeps in Power mode, as plastic pipes generate natural static electricity

B.Assume non-metallic pipes cannot be located and commence mechanical excavation immediately

C.Ensure operatives use a flexible tracer wire, metallic trace tape, or push a continuous signal sonde/transponder connected to a Genny through the pipe

D.Use high-frequency radio ground-penetrating radar only, as sondes cannot enter plastic pipes

Explanation: Plastic pipes are non-conductive. Tracing requires an active tracer wire embedded during laying or introducing a flexible sonde/trace rod connected to a Signal Generator.

10When monitoring work near high-pressure gas transmission pipelines, what specific safety protocol must the supervisor confirm prior to work starting?

A.Obtain an official work permit from the gas pipeline operator, verify emergency contact details, and enforce strict exclusion zones around the asset

B.Proceed with excavation as long as the machine operator keeps the bucket 100 mm away from the pipe

C.Rely on standard street works notices without informing the gas pipeline operator directly

D.Hand dig only if gas odor is visually or aromatically detected on site

Explanation: High-pressure gas pipelines present catastrophic explosion risks. Formal contact, asset owner supervision, safety permits, and specific plant protection distances are mandatory prior to any ground entry.

About the NRSWA Supervisor Exam

The NRSWA Street Works Supervisor qualification certifies site supervisors, utility engineers, and highway inspectors to monitor and audit excavation and reinstatement work on UK public highways under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Supervisors monitor Cable Avoidance (LA), Signing, Lighting and Guarding (S1), Excavation (S2), Backfill Compaction (S3), Sub-base Reinstatement (S4), Bituminous Reinstatement (S5), and Concrete/Modular Surfaces (S6/S7). Candidates earn an SWQR ID card valid for 5 years upon passing. This 100-question practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation designed to build supervisory knowledge, code compliance, and inspection standards.

Questions

20 scored questions

Time Limit

45 minutes per unit exam

Passing Score

80%

Exam Fee

GBP 750 (includes 5-day course + SWQR card registration) (Street Works Qualifications Register (SWQR) / City & Guilds / CABWI)

NRSWA Supervisor Exam Content Outline

15%

Monitoring Location & Avoidance of Underground Apparatus (Unit LA)

Supervising underground apparatus location, verifying utility plant plans, auditing CAT & Genny calibration/use, and enforcing HSG47 compliance.

25%

Monitoring Signing, Lighting & Guarding (Unit S1)

Auditing Safety at Street Works Red Book compliance, Chapter 8 site safety setups, portable traffic signal approvals, TMA 2004 permit conditions, and pedestrian safety.

15%

Monitoring Excavation in the Highway (Unit S2)

Inspecting trench excavation safety, shoring design verification, timber/trench box compliance, spoil management, and ground stability auditing.

15%

Monitoring Reinstatement & Compaction of Backfill (Unit S3)

Auditing SROH backfill material compliance, layer thickness verification, compaction equipment pass compliance, and Clegg Impact Value (CIV) testing.

10%

Monitoring Sub-base & Roadbase Reinstatement (Unit S4)

Verifying GSB Type 1 sub-base quality, compaction testing, moisture content auditing, and CBM/CBGM cement-bound material compliance.

10%

Monitoring Bituminous Reinstatement (Unit S5)

Auditing hot and cold-lay asphalt delivery temperatures, layer thickness compliance, air voids testing, edge joint tack coating, and surface texture depth.

10%

Monitoring Concrete Slabs & Modular Surfaces (Units S6 & S7)

Inspecting concrete pavement slab reinstatement, dowel bar alignment, air entrainment testing, BS 7533 block paving laying, jointing sand, and edge restraint.

How to Pass the NRSWA Supervisor Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 80%
Exam length: 20 questions
Time limit: 45 minutes per unit exam
Exam fee: GBP 750 (includes 5-day course + SWQR card registration)

Keys to Passing

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

NRSWA Supervisor Study Tips from Top Performers

1Understand SROH compaction verification: know how to check Clegg Impact Values (CIV) and verify compaction pass counts for vibro-tampers and rollers.

2Master Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004 permit conditions: know notice periods, work category thresholds (Major, Standard, Minor, Immediate), and overrun charges.

3Learn asphalt temperature limits: hot asphalt binder course should be delivered above 140°C and compacted before falling below 100°C–110°C.

4Audit Red Book site safety: verify that lead-in tapers, shuttle working distances, and pedestrian safety zones comply with Chapter 8 specs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does holding an NRSWA Supervisor card allow you to perform physical operative work?

No. Under NRSWA regulations, a supervisor card qualifies you to monitor and audit street works, but does not qualify you to perform physical excavation or reinstatement work unless you also hold the corresponding Operative units.

What is the role of a Street Works Supervisor under NRSWA 1991 and TMA 2004?

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that street works comply with statutory codes of practice, including Red Book safety setups, SROH material standards, TMA permit conditions, and site safety audits.

How long is the SWQR Supervisor card valid?

The SWQR Supervisor card is valid for 5 years. Supervisors must pass a multi-unit reassessment exam before expiry to renew their registration.