CACES training: everything you need to know to pass your test!

Introduced by the National Health Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers (CNAMTS), the Certificate of Aptitude for Safe Driving (CACES) is a test which validates the skills and abilities to safe driving of handling or construction machinery. Often considered as a license or a professional qualification, the CACES is in reality only a simple validation of your knowledge as well as your know-how, with regard to the driving of machines. Success in this test therefore requires good preparation in an approved centre. Likewise, you have several options for finance your CACES so as to have it for free.

Discover in this article, everything you need to know about CACES training as well as the right methods to succeed brilliantly.

What is CACES training?

It is both a training theoretical And convenient aimed at equipping you with knowledge concerning the regulations for the safe operation of machinery as well as practical know-how. You are prepared during the time that your training lasts, at your place of work if it meets the conditions or in a training center, to drive construction and handling machinery such as :

• The forklift;
• The loading crane;
• Tower crane ;
• The auxiliary crane;
• The mobile crane;
• Overhead cranes and gantries;
• People lifting platforms;
• The nacelles.

For each type or category of gear, there is a CACES suitable. Regarding the duration of the training, it strongly depends on the level of the trainees and the type of machine. In general it takes between 2 and 5 days for a group training. If you are considering pass your CACES, note that a medical visit prior will be required. It will be for the CACES certified center to ensure that you are deemed fit to drive machinery by the Occupational Medicine.

Why CACES training?

The primary goal of CACES training is Security. Yours already, as well as that of the people with whom you are in a working relationship. Accidents in the workplace are quite common and good training in safe handling of machinery potentially dangerous can help to minimize the risks. To this end, the National Health Insurance Fund for Salaried Workers establishes a close link between the lack of training and the resurgence of accidents in the workplace. The CACES certificate was therefore introduced by the way, to remedy this.

A CACES training will allow you through a theoretical and practical learning to be able to safely drive the handling equipment at your workplace. Note, however, that a CACES certificate is not an authorization to drive construction or handling machinery. This authorization can only be issued by the employer, after checking your medical examination certificate and your CACES certificate. To prepare effectively to take the CACES test, go to https://www.catrformation-idf.com. But before, it is advisable to determine the type of CACES which you must pass according to the machine which you will have to drive on your place of work.

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What are the different types of CACES training?

There is a diversity of CACES training according to the regulations, for various types of gear. Depending on your activities and the construction or handling machinery you may be required to drive, you need a Specific CACES.

Operation of handling equipment

For handling equipment, you would need to pass CACES ® R489. This is the certification to have for driving machines such as the ride-on forklift, the ride-on pallet truck, the carrier platform truck, the reach truck, the cantilever front forklift , etc. The CACES ® R489 is available in different categories 1A/1B/2B/3/4/5/7, reflecting various levels of requirement (initiation – mastery – improvement – retraining).  

Driving construction machinery

To drive construction machinery, you need the CACES ® R482. Construction machinery includes, in particular, tractors and small construction machinery, graders, low telescopic trolleys, hydraulic excavators, backhoe loaders, loaders, reciprocating adjustment machinery, compactors, dumpers – motorized tippers , etc.

Depending on your specific machine, you will be directed to a specific category for your CACES ® R482.

Driving the nacelles

The CACES® R486 certificate is the one required for the safe operation of mobile lifting platforms. These include the vertical lift scissor lift (3A), the vertical mast lifting platform (1A), the multidirectional arm lift (3B), the spider lift (1B). Category C concerns exclusively the loading, movement and transfer of machinery without production activity.

Driving auxiliary and mobile cranes

Opt for the CACES® R490 if you are called upon to drive an auxiliary crane and the CACES® R483 for a mobile crane. In this specific case, it can be the lattice boom mobile crane (Category A), as well as the telescopic boom mobile crane (Category B) and why not the telescopic crawler crane (C2B).

Relevant training guarantees you a consistent level of mastery, for minimize the risk of accidents at your workplace.

Driving the overhead crane

For overhead and gantry cranes, you would need a CACES® R484. Category 1 concerns overhead cranes and gantries operated from the ground and category 2 concerns overhead cranes and gantries operated from the cabin. Depending on the nature of your machine, choose the corresponding category to obtain the precious CACES® R484.

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By approaching a CACES-certified center, you can be better informed about the various categories as well as the relative requirements of each type. You then commit in full knowledge of the facts to a specialized and essential training.

How does a CACES training take place?

CACES training takes place in two distinct phases: theoretical training and practical training. Each of these steps is crucial for your project to obtain the CACES. We can easily be more concerned with the practical phase which puts us in a machine driving situation, but the theoretical phase is just as important.

Theoretical training

During the theoretical phase, you are made aware of the regulations concerning the operation of construction or handling machinery according to your specific case. You are also trained on the duties and responsibilities of machine operators, general safety rules common to all vehicles, the Highway Code, etc. These notions are fundamental for the safe driving to which you aspire.

In addition to general knowledge, the theoretical training also addresses technical and technological issues, related in particular to the use of the machine in question. Usual checks, related risks, and for certain machines elementary physics lessons are all concepts to explore during your theoretical training.

Practical training

As its name suggests, it puts the learner in a situation to practice. The practical phase therefore requires certain equipment and of course the machine in question. It can be done on the customer's facilities as in the CACES certified center in charge of training.

This phase generally consists of taking up shift and daily checks, work on the site, circulation on various types of route, end of shift operation as well as practical evaluations. To this end, we ensure compliance with the instructions for safe driving.

At the end of your training, you can take the test with a lot of confidence. The CACES thus obtained is valid for 5 years or 10 years for construction machinery. It is your responsibility to update your CACES before the expiry of this period by resiting the assessment tests and the medical visit.  

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How to update your CACES permit?

When your CACES is 5 years old, except for construction machinery (10 years), you should consider updating it. It is recommended to do this at least two months before the expiry of your CACES.

To this end, you will have to take the medical examination again, as part of the prevention of the risks of accidents at work. This verification of medical aptitude must be carried out by the occupational physician of your employer.

The CACES renewal procedure is relatively less long than that of obtaining it, and it is also less expensive.

Do a CACES training for free?

Several options are possible to finance your CACES. If you are a job seeker, you can get a Free CACES in particular within the framework of the Conventional Training Action. You can refer to your employment center adviser to support you in the process.

In addition, the Personal Training Account (CPF) also allows you to finance your training, either partially or in full. If you have an account on the site moncompteformation.gouv.fr, you can simply choose a CACES course from the available courses and according to your balance. You now have all the cards in hand to obtain your CACES!