CACES® R489 practical test: how it works

The basics

The practical test is taken on a truck of the category you want, with a certified tester. There is one practical test per category: passing category 3 does not give you category 5.

The tester watches you on a course and scores each step. You also need to pass the theory test to get the CACES®.

The scored steps

The test follows a real shift:

• Start of shift: walk-around, checks of safety parts (brakes, horn, lights, forks, chains), reading the load plate.
• Driving: forwards and in reverse, turns, ramps, following the site traffic plan, forks low when moving.
• Handling: picking up and setting down loads at floor level and at height, stacking and unstacking, load stability.
• End of shift: parking in an authorised area, forks on the floor, brake on, key removed, faults reported.

Mistakes that fail you

Some safety mistakes fail the test whatever else you do: exceeding the load plate capacity, driving with the load raised, putting someone in danger, not looking in the direction of travel.

The theory test prepares you for exactly these points: reading the load plate and the traffic rules are both scored.

How to prepare

During training, do the start-of-shift checks every time, in the same order, out loud if it helps. It is the easiest part to pass and the one most often rushed.

Revise the theory alongside: knowing why a rule exists helps you apply it without thinking on test day.