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United Kingdom · Theory test

CPCS excavator training: A58 and A59 360 excavators

The Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) splits excavators by how far they slew and how much they weigh. CPCS excavator training for a 360 machine leads to A58 below 10 tonnes or A59 above 10 tonnes, each with tracked, wheeled and lifting operations endorsements. Smaller 180 machines have categories of their own, and NOCN Group publishes the theory questions and practical tests for each.

  • 14 or 49 hoursA59 tracked minimum course, by experience
  • 2 hours 30 minutesA58 practical test, endorsement A or B
  • 2 hours 45 minutesA59 practical test, endorsement A or B
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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Which CPCS excavator category you need

CategoryMachineEndorsements
A10180 excavator below 5 tonnesC: lifting operations
A12180 excavator above 5 tonnesC: lifting operations
A58360 excavator below 10 tonnesA: tracked, B: wheeled, C: lifting operations
A59360 excavator above 10 tonnesA: tracked, B: wheeled, C: lifting operations

A58 and A59 endorsements show separately on the card. Passing A59 also gives you A58 with the same endorsement, and passing A12 gives you A10. NOCN’s categories are named by slew and weight, not by words like digger or mini digger.

The 360 excavator theory tests

A58 and A59 each have their own theory test and question list on NOCN’s site, and each comes with a lifting capacity chart used in the test. You take the theory test once per category, then a practical test for each endorsement.

NOCN: A58 revision documents ↗NOCN: A59 revision documents ↗How NOCN’s question lists work →

360 excavator practical test times

  • A58 with endorsement C added in the same test: 3 hours
  • A59 with endorsement C added in the same test: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Endorsement C on its own, for existing cardholders: 40 minutes for A58 or A59

In the A58 and A59 tests you load a transporting vehicle and discharge it at least twice, among other tasks.

NOCN: A59 Standard Practical Test ↗

How long is CPCS excavator training?

The 360 excavator above 10 tonnes, tracked, is one of the eight categories under the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) plant training standards. NOCN’s A59 tracked training standard (April 2025) sets these minimum course lengths, including assessment:

  • Novice: 49 hours with one learner per machine, rising to 70 or 100 hours as more learners share a machine
  • Experienced: 14 hours for one learner, 21 hours for two to four

NOCN’s July 2023 routes-of-entry sheet gave different hours; it also says highly skilled operators can go direct to test.

If you hold A59 endorsement A or B, you can also apply for a demolition transition to D90A or D90C, which needs the demolition VQ (vocational qualification).

Choosing a CPCS course →Moving up to a blue card →
Sources: NOCN and 7 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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