GER Category 3

It tests the knowledge and judgement needed for the driving duties attached to that category, including operating rules, signal recognition and response, route knowledge, traction and braking handling, emergency procedures, communications and documentation, and fitness and conduct. Ask your undertaking for the authoritative list of subjects and any category-specific restrictions, since these are set by the competent authority.

The theoretical part is normally delivered as multiple-choice questions, often computer-based, with a practical assessment carried out separately on the operational infrastructure. The competent authority and your undertaking define the exact structure, so request the current examination regulations rather than relying on second-hand descriptions.

Those figures are set and published by the competent authority and can change, so this page does not quote them. Check the official examination regulations or ask your training officer for the current number of questions, time allowance and pass criteria before you plan your revision timetable.

Most candidates find the rules and signalling content manageable but underestimate the applied scenarios, where you must choose the correct action quickly under time pressure. Difficulty depends heavily on your prior route and shunting experience. Candidates with supervised practical hours behind them generally find the theoretical paper far more straightforward.

Retake rules, waiting periods and any limit on attempts are defined in the examination regulations, not by the training provider. Ask your undertaking or the competent authority how many attempts are permitted and what evidence of additional training is required before a resit.

Start with general operating rules and safety principles, because everything else depends on them. Then work through signals and signalling, followed by route knowledge for your specific lines or shunting areas. Add traction and braking technique next, and finish with abnormal situations, communications and documentation, and fitness and conduct.

The most common failures are weak signal recognition under pressure, incomplete knowledge of one specific route, and hesitation in emergency scenarios where the correct sequence must be immediate. Another frequent problem is treating documentation and communication procedures as low priority and revising them last.

Use every supervised shift deliberately: verbalise what you see, name each signal and state the action it requires, and ask your instructor to run abnormal scenarios such as signal failures or unexpected stops. Keep a log of routes and shunting areas and review it before the assessment.

The competent authority publishes current fees, examination dates, question counts, time allowances and pass criteria. Consult its official website or your undertaking's training department, as these details are updated periodically and any figure quoted elsewhere may be out of date.