Plant & Vehicle Marshaller A73 CPCS Course
Key Features
Of this Plant & Vehicle Marshaller A73 Course:
- Gain recognised CPCS certification to direct plant and vehicles safely on construction sites
- Master hand signals, radio protocols and positioning techniques for multiple machine types
- Learn to identify blind spots, ground conditions and overhead hazards before movements begin
- Develop clear communication with operators, drivers and site teams under live site conditions
- Understand legal duties under CDM, PUWER and LOLER when controlling vehicle routes
- Practise realistic scenarios including reversing, loading areas and pedestrian interfaces
Course Date Availability
Plant & Vehicle Marshaller A73 training at the following 5 centres. Prices from £649 per person :
| Training Centres | Next Available Dates |
|---|---|
| Chelmsford | 6th Jun 20267th Jun 2026 |
| Edinburgh | 4th Aug 20262nd Nov 2026 |
| Reading | 22nd Jun 202620th Jul 2026 |
| Taunton | 13th Jul 202627th Jul 2026 |
| Tonbridge | 29th Jun 2026 |
Course Information
Overview:
The CPCS A73 Plant & Vehicle Marshaller course provides the full nationally recognised qualification for anyone responsible for directing plant and road vehicles on construction and civil engineering sites. Delegates learn to plan safe movement routes, use recognised signals and radio procedures, and maintain control of operations involving excavators, dumpers, cranes, HGVs and mobile plant. The training follows current CITB standards and prepares delegates for both the theory and practical CPCS tests that lead to the red Trained Operator card.
Who Should Attend?
This course is designed for:
- Construction site operatives tasked with vehicle and plant control
- Banksmen and slinger signallers seeking an additional CPCS category
- Site supervisors and foremen who oversee traffic management
- Groundworkers and general operatives moving between plant roles
- Safety advisors and site managers requiring practical marshalling knowledge
What You Will Learn
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Correct hand signals and radio phraseology for all common plant types
- How to conduct pre-movement checks and establish exclusion zones
- Safe positioning to avoid plant swing, reversing and overhead hazards
- Communication with multiple operators and drivers simultaneously
- Route planning that accounts for ground conditions, gradients and pedestrians
- Emergency stop procedures and reporting of near-miss incidents
Course Agenda
Overview:
The course runs over two days and combines classroom theory with extensive practical exercises on a live training area. Day one covers legislation, signalling standards and hazard identification. Day two focuses on practical marshalling of various plant and vehicles, followed by CPCS theory and practical testing.
Key Modules Covered
What you will learn:
- Role and responsibilities of the Plant & Vehicle Marshaller
- Relevant legislation, guidance and site rules
- Communication methods including hand signals and two-way radios
- Hazard awareness and exclusion zone management
- Practical marshalling of excavators, dumpers, HGVs and mobile cranes
- Site layout planning and traffic route control
- CPCS theory and practical test preparation
Private Courses On-site
Plant & Vehicle Marshaller A73 CPCS training is also available as a dedicated course, at your premises, and on a date and time of your choosing. Advantages of group / private course is the convenience of candidates being in familiar surroundings and not having to travel, the lowest price, and the ability to have the course tailored to your own application.
Latest Delegate Feedback
⭐ Rated 4.2 By Our Candidates - (165 reviews)
First class...
★★★★★
5 ⭐ – Jack T - Sat 9th May 2026
We all agreed the Xyz training event conducted on our site was something wholly worth attending. Good stuff! . Having Donna on hand was really helpful.
★★★★★
5 ⭐ – Azra B - Fri 8th May 2026
Of a good standard...
★★★★★
5 ⭐ – Andrew S - Fri 8th May 2026
Simply put the Plant & Vehicle Marshaller A73 course that took place in Bridgwater recently was something wholly worth attending. Cannot wait to do it again..
★★★★★
5 ⭐ – Alicia O - Fri 8th May 2026
Accreditation & Next Steps
What you will achieve as a result:
Successful delegates receive the CPCS Red Trained Operator card, valid for two years. During this period they must complete an NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations to upgrade to the Blue Competent Operator card, which is renewable every five years through a CPCS renewal test and ongoing site experience log.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most commonly asked Plant & Vehicle Marshaller A73 CPCS questions:
The standard course is delivered over two consecutive days, including theory sessions, practical exercises and the CPCS tests.
Delegates must be at least 18 years old, hold a valid CITB health, safety and environment test (or equivalent) and provide photo ID on the day of training.
Practical exercises include directing excavators, dumpers, articulated HGVs and mobile cranes through reversing, turning and loading operations while maintaining safe exclusion zones.
Assessment consists of a multiple-choice theory test and a one-to-one practical test where the delegate must demonstrate correct positioning, signals and communication with plant operators.
You receive the CPCS Red Trained Operator card for category A73, allowing you to work under supervision while you complete the relevant NVQ.
A73 focuses on directing the movement of plant and vehicles around the site, whereas Slinger Signaller covers lifting operations and attaching loads to cranes.
You need safety boots, high-visibility clothing, hard hat, gloves and a valid CITB test pass plus photographic identification.
The red card is valid for two years. After upgrading to the blue card you must pass a CPCS renewal test every five years and maintain a record of site experience.
Yes, many providers can deliver the practical elements using your site equipment provided it meets CPCS test specifications and risk assessments are in place.
You receive feedback on the areas that need improvement and can usually re-sit the practical test within a short period without repeating the full course.
Yes, the syllabus includes use of torches, reflective signals and radio procedures for conditions where daylight hand signals are not visible.
No, A73 is specific to construction sites. Public highway traffic management requires separate qualifications such as the New Roads and Street Works Act cards.
Prices per person typically start at £649. Discounts available for multi person or group bookings (depending upon location)
More Information
The A73 category equips delegates with the skills required to work safely across a wide range of construction environments where plant and vehicle movements must be tightly controlled. Training emphasises real site conditions and clear decision-making rather than rote procedures.
Last updated: May 2026 • Part of XYZ Training Group