High Risk Work Licence - Reach Stacker (RS) exam-day guide
High Risk Work Licence - Reach Stacker (RS) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring current government-issued photo ID (driver licence or passport). Confirm with the provider which forms of ID they accept and whether a second form is required.
Assessment booking confirmation
Print or save the booking confirmation and the provider's joining instructions, including site address, arrival time and contact number.
Safety boots and high-visibility clothing
Wear steel-capped boots and a high-visibility vest or shirt. Confirm with the provider whether they supply PPE or expect you to bring your own.
Hard hat, gloves and eye protection
Bring your own if you have them; confirm with the provider what PPE is supplied on site.
Long trousers and sleeved shirt
Wear close-fitting work clothing with no loose sleeves, drawstrings or jewellery that could snag on controls or the cabin.
Logbook or training record
Bring any logbook, training record or supervised-hours evidence your provider asked you to complete. Confirm with the provider whether it is required at assessment.
Knowledge of the machine's pre-start checks
Revise the daily inspection routine for the reach stacker: fluids, tyres, brakes, horn, lights, spreader and lifting attachments, and load charts. Practise saying the checks aloud in order.
Load chart and capacity awareness
Be ready to state how capacity changes with boom/attachment position, load centre and stabiliser or outrigger setup. Confirm with the provider which chart applies to the machine you will use.
Medication and fitness declaration
Disclose any medication or medical condition that could affect safe operation before the assessment. Confirm with the provider how declarations are handled.
Arrive rested and alcohol-free
No alcohol in the hours before the assessment and no impairment from medication. Confirm with the provider their policy on breath testing and exclusion.
Site induction readiness
Expect a site safety induction and hazard briefing before practical tasks. Confirm with the provider whether induction is included in the assessment day or must be done beforehand.
Questions for the assessor
Prepare to ask about emergency stop procedure, exclusion zones, communication signals and the sequence of practical tasks before you start.
Plan the day
Re-read the provider's joining instructions and confirm the site address, arrival time, parking and what to bring. Phone or email the provider with any unanswered questions (ID, PPE, logbook, machine type).
Do a final revision pass on pre-start checks, load charts, hand signals and shutdown procedure. Walk through the sequence aloud or in a quiet space so the steps are automatic.
Check your PPE and clothing: boots in good condition, high-vis clean and visible, no loose or torn garments. Replace anything worn out.
Confirm your transport and allow extra travel time for site access, sign-in and induction. Pack ID, booking confirmation, PPE and any required paperwork in one bag.
Avoid a late night. Get a full night's sleep, eat normally, and avoid alcohol. Check whether any medication you take could affect alertness and raise it with the provider if unsure.
Eat a proper meal and arrive at the site earlier than the stated time to allow for sign-in, induction and PPE fitting.
Attend the site induction and hazard briefing. Note pedestrian exclusion zones, traffic routes, emergency assembly point and first-aid arrangements.
Listen to the assessor's briefing in full and ask clarifying questions before starting. Confirm the task sequence, signals and stop procedure.
Complete pre-start checks methodically and aloud where appropriate, then operate smoothly within the machine's limits. Prioritise safe, deliberate control over speed.
If you make an error, stop safely, acknowledge it and continue calmly. Do not rush to catch up; the assessor is watching for safe habits, not speed.
Ask the assessor for the outcome and debrief, and confirm how and when your results and any licence application paperwork will be issued.
Rules to check
Follow all site rules and the assessor's directions at all times; the assessment site's safety rules override anything you were told elsewhere.
Carry and present the photo ID the provider requires. If you cannot produce acceptable ID, you may be refused assessment - confirm the accepted forms with the provider in advance.
Wear the PPE the provider specifies for the whole assessment, including during practical tasks and while walking around the site.
Stay within marked pedestrian routes and exclusion zones, and never walk under a suspended load or into the machine's working area without the assessor's direction.
Declare any medication, illness, injury or fatigue that could affect safe operation before the assessment begins. Do not operate if you feel impaired.
Ask the assessor before taking breaks or leaving the assessment area; confirm the provider's policy on breaks and time limits for each task.
The assessment is competency-based: you must demonstrate safe operation and correct procedures throughout, not just complete the tasks. A serious safety breach can end the assessment - confirm the provider's specific fail criteria.
Do not use phones, headphones or other distractions while operating the machine or during the practical assessment unless the assessor permits it.