High Risk Work Licence - Derrick Crane (CD) exam-day guide
High Risk Work Licence - Derrick Crane (CD) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original government-issued photo ID you used for enrolment (passport or driver licence). Confirm with the provider which forms of ID they accept and whether a digital licence is acceptable.
Assessment booking confirmation and paperwork
Print or download the booking confirmation, your unique student identifier if one was issued, and any enrolment or pre-assessment forms the provider asked you to complete. Confirm with the provider exactly what must be presented on the day.
Safety boots and work clothing
Wear or bring steel-capped boots, long trousers, and a high-visibility shirt or vest. Confirm with the provider whether PPE is supplied or you must bring your own, and whether gloves, hard hat, and eye protection are required for the practical tasks.
Logbook or training record
If your provider requires a record of supervised operating hours or a training logbook before the practical assessment, bring the completed and signed original. Confirm with the provider whether this is a prerequisite for attempting the practical.
Knowledge of the crane's controls and load chart
Revise derrick crane controls, slew, luffing, hoist limits, load moment indicators, and the meaning of the load chart markings so you can explain them aloud during the pre-start checks.
Pre-start inspection routine
Be ready to perform and verbalise a full pre-start inspection: structures, wire ropes, sheaves, hooks and latches, brakes, limit switches, warning devices, outriggers or anchorages, and the logbook entry.
Communication signals
Know the standard hand and whistle signals for hoist, lower, slew, stop, and emergency stop, and be able to direct a dogger or respond to a signalperson clearly.
Load estimation and slinging basics
Practise estimating the mass of loads and selecting and inspecting slings, shackles, and lifting points, since derrick work often involves placing loads from a fixed mast position.
Arrive early and check in
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time to allow for check-in, site induction, and PPE checks. Confirm with the provider the exact arrival time and site access arrangements.
Confirm site location and access
Verify the assessment site address, parking, and any gate or security requirements. Confirm with the provider in advance, as assessment sites are often separate from the training venue.
Medication, water, and sun protection
Practical assessments run outdoors for extended periods. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and any medication you need, and tell the assessor about any condition that could affect safe operation.
Read the assessment conditions
Ask the assessor at the start to explain the tasks, time limits, stopping criteria, and what happens if you make an error. Confirm with the provider how many attempts at each task are permitted.
Plan the day
Re-read the derrick crane operator's manual and your training notes, focusing on pre-start checks, load charts, and emergency procedures. Walk through the practical tasks mentally and list any controls or signals you are unsure about so you can clarify them with your trainer before the day.
Confirm your booking, the site address, arrival time, and what PPE and paperwork you must bring. Check with the provider whether your logbook or supervised hours must be complete and signed before the practical.
Do a light practical review: rehearse hand signals, practise estimating load masses, and check your PPE fits and is in good condition. Avoid learning new material at this stage; consolidate what you already know.
Pack your bag: photo ID, booking confirmation, logbook, boots, high-vis, gloves, water, and sun protection. Lay out your clothes and check the weather forecast and travel route, including any traffic or road closures.
Get a full night's sleep and avoid alcohol. Eat a proper meal. If you take medication that could affect alertness, discuss timing with your doctor and inform the assessor on the day.
Eat breakfast, arrive at the site at least 30 minutes early, and complete check-in and any site induction. Use the waiting time to review your pre-start checklist and signal chart quietly, not to cram new material.
Listen carefully to the assessor's briefing, ask questions if a task or stopping criterion is unclear, and confirm you understand the emergency stop procedure before you begin operating.
Perform the pre-start inspection methodically and verbalise what you are checking and why. Operate smoothly within the crane's limits, use the correct signals, and keep control of the load at all times.
If you make a mistake, stay calm, stop safely if required, and follow the assessor's instructions. Do not attempt to hide an error; report it and continue when directed.
Ask the assessor what happens next, when results are issued, and how to appeal or request a re-assessment if needed. Confirm with the provider the process for receiving your licence or statement of attainment.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID used at enrolment. If you cannot produce acceptable ID, you may be refused entry; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a digital licence is permitted.
Follow all site safety rules from the moment you enter, including signing in, wearing the required PPE, staying within marked walkways, and obeying the assessor's directions at all times.
The assessor's instructions take priority. If you are told to stop, stop immediately and safely, even if you are mid-task, and wait for further direction.
You must demonstrate the tasks yourself. Do not accept prompting, coaching, or signals from other candidates, and do not coach others; this can result in cancellation of your assessment.
Declare any medication, injury, or condition that could affect your ability to operate safely before the assessment begins. The provider may require a fitness declaration; confirm the requirement with them.
Ask about breaks at the start of the day. Practical assessments can be long, and you should know how to request water, toilet, or rest breaks without it affecting your result; confirm the provider's break policy.
Scoring is against the national assessment instrument for derrick crane operation, covering both knowledge and practical performance. You must meet the required standard in every critical task; confirm with the provider the exact pass criteria and re-assessment policy.
If you believe an assessment decision was unfair or an incident occurred, raise it with the assessor immediately and ask about the provider's complaints and appeals process. Confirm the process with the provider before leaving the site.