UK CPCS Telehandler Theory Exam study materials
UK CPCS Telehandler Theory Exam study resources

UK CPCS Telehandler Theory Exam study plan

UK CPCS Telehandler Theory Exam · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Stability, load charts, safe working loads and load-handling principles

  • Define stability triangle, centre of gravity and combined centre of gravity in your own words

  • Interpret a representative load chart to find safe working load at three different boom extensions and radii

  • Calculate reduction in capacity when using a non-integrated attachment by applying the derating rule you have learned

  • List five load-handling principles that govern safe lifting with a telehandler

Your checkpoint

Handwritten one-page load chart worksheet with 10 worked SWL calculations, each annotated with the chart line used

Week 2

Stability, load charts, safe working loads and load-handling principles & Telehandler components, machine configuration and attachments

  • Match each major telehandler component (boom, levelling system, outriggers, axles, steering modes) to its function

  • Explain how machine configuration (boom extension, frame levelling, tyre condition, ballast) alters stability

  • Identify five attachment types and state the capacity and inspection implications of each

  • Describe the pre-operational checks specific to quick-hitch attachment fitment

Your checkpoint

Annotated component-and-attachment diagram with capacity notes for each item

Week 3

Pre-use checks, routine maintenance and defect reporting

  • Produce a complete pre-use check sequence in correct order for a telehandler

  • Distinguish operator-level routine maintenance tasks from those requiring a competent person

  • Describe how to record and report a defect, including what makes a defect 'dangerous'

  • List the checks required on lifting accessories before use

Your checkpoint

Completed mock daily inspection checklist with three deliberately planted defects correctly identified and categorised

Week 4

Health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to telehandler operations

  • Summarise the duties placed on employers and operators under health and safety legislation

  • Explain the role of the lift plan, safe system of work and permit-to-work in telehandler operations

  • State the reporting requirements for accidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses

  • Identify environmental controls relevant to fuel, oil and hydraulic spillage on site

Your checkpoint

One-page legislation and reporting summary sheet written from memory, checked against notes

Week 5

Site transport, manoeuvring, travelling and working on inclines and uneven ground

  • Describe travelling procedure on site roads, including speed, visibility and pedestrian separation

  • Explain the rules for travelling on inclines with and without a load

  • State the precautions for working on uneven or soft ground and the role of ground bearing capacity

  • Describe the three steering modes and when each is appropriate

Your checkpoint

Written scenario answers to five incline/uneven-ground situations, each with a justified course of action

Week 6

Lifting, placing, loading and unloading operations & Hazards, overhead lines, exclusion zones and safe systems of work

  • Sequence a safe lift from planning through to placing and lowering the load

  • Explain how to establish and maintain an exclusion zone around the machine and the load path

  • Identify overhead line hazards and state the safe approach distances and actions on contact

  • Describe safe procedures for loading and unloading a vehicle or trailer

Your checkpoint

Drawn lift plan for a representative load move, including exclusion zones, overhead line check and a step-by-step sequence

Week 7

Emergency procedures, incident reporting and environmental controls & Health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to telehandler operations

  • Describe the actions to take in the event of a tip-over, hydraulic failure, fire or load drop

  • State the incident and near-miss reporting chain and what information must be captured

  • Summarise environmental controls for spill containment and waste segregation on site

  • Recall the key legal duties that underpin emergency and reporting procedures

Your checkpoint

Written emergency response card covering four incident types with the reporting steps for each

Week 8

Stability, load charts, safe working loads and load-handling principles & Pre-use checks, routine maintenance and defect reporting & Site transport, manoeuvring, travelling and working on inclines and uneven ground & Lifting, placing, loading and unloading operations & Hazards, overhead lines, exclusion zones and safe systems of work & Emergency procedures, incident reporting and environmental controls & Telehandler components, machine configuration and attachments & Health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to telehandler operations

  • Complete a full timed mock exam and score it against the answer key

  • Re-teach every missed question from the mock back to a study partner or out loud

  • Revisit the two weakest domains identified by the mock and drill 20 questions each

  • Recite the pre-use check sequence, load chart method and emergency actions from memory

Your checkpoint

Scored mock exam with a written remediation log for every incorrect answer

Milestones

Week 4: Score at least 80% on a 20-question set drawn from domains 1, 2, 3 and 4, with all load chart calculations correct

Week 6: Produce a complete lift plan unaided, correctly identifying exclusion zones and overhead line hazards

Week 8: Score at least 85% on a full timed mock exam, with no domain below 70%