Plant & Vehicle Marshaller

How the assessment works

This Plant and Vehicle Marshaller NVQ is entirely evidence-based and focused on proving your real workplace competence. Instead of taking another test, you’ll demonstrate how you carry out marshalling duties day to day by submitting clear photos and short videos of your normal work — for example, pre-shift checks, establishing exclusion zones, directing vehicles or plant into position, and maintaining safe control of site traffic.

You’ll also include genuine site paperwork such as RAMS, briefing sheets, risk assessments, traffic management plans and near-miss reports. Every NVQ also includes a short expert witness statement from a supervisor or manager who has observed you marshalling safely and competently on live jobs. All of this can be uploaded to our secure online ePortfolio whenever it suits you.

Your assessor reviews each upload carefully, providing feedback and confirming that the evidence is authentic, complete and clearly demonstrates your ability to control vehicle movements safely and effectively. If needed, they may ask for additional evidence or decide to carry out a short on-site observation to verify specific elements.

Once your evidence is ready, you’ll have a one-to-one discussion with your assessor — usually over a video call — where you’ll talk through your work, the communication methods you use, and the safety controls you follow. It’s not a test; it’s a structured, recorded discussion based on your real site experience.

After the discussion, your assessor completes a detailed Observation Report and verifies your evidence before signing off the NVQ for certification. Around a week later, you’ll receive your electronic certificate so you can upgrade your CPCS or NPORS card.

No classrooms, no written exams — just clear, verified proof of the work you already do.

What sort of questions will I be asked?

Below are some examples of the kinds of questions an assessor may ask during the professional-discussion part of this Level 2 NVQ:

Assessor: How do you make sure it’s safe to guide plant or vehicles on uneven or restricted ground?

Learner: I check the ground conditions first—if it’s soft or sloped, I’ll suggest using track mats or another route. I make sure there’s enough space, set up barriers or an exclusion zone, and guide slowly using clear signals. If I think it's unsafe, I stop the operation and report it.

Assessor: Which personal protective equipment do you wear on this site and why?

Learner: Hard hat for head protection, high-vis vest so I’m clearly seen by drivers and plant operators, and safety boots to protect my feet. I also wear gloves when handling barriers or signage, and if it’s noisy or dusty I’ll use ear defenders or a mask as needed.

Assessor: How does following a method statement help you work more productively?

Learner: The method statement tells me what routes are approved, how plant and vehicles should be moved, and what communication to use. It means I can set up and guide safely without guessing, avoid delays, and keep the job running smoothly without conflicts or rework.

What kind of evidence will I need?

Think of evidence as anything that shows you guiding machinery safely and following normal site rules.

Visual proof:

Clear phone photos and short videos of your daily checks, setting up exclusion zones, using recognised hand signals, directing plant or vehicles into position, and maintaining safe clearance around people and structures.

Site paperwork:

Routine site documents that carry your name or signature and show you are following company procedures—pre-start or daily checklists, signed RAMS or method statements, traffic management plans, daily briefings, and even hazard or near-miss reports you’ve completed.

Witness statement:

A short note from a supervisor or manager confirming they have watched you carry out marshalling duties competently on a live site.

General safety and productivity:

Anything that shows you take an active role in keeping the site safe and traffic moving efficiently. Good examples include hazard reports, toolbox-talk attendance sheets, briefings you’ve delivered, or communication records like radio logs or emails showing how you helped direct plant or resolve a movement issue.

How long does it take?

The timing is largely up to you. Your assessor can only start reviewing your portfolio once you’ve uploaded your evidence, so the sooner everything is in the e-Portfolio, the sooner the process moves forward.

Some learners upload all their photos, videos and paperwork in a couple of days, schedule their discussion straight away and finish in less than one week. Others spread it out over several weeks because of shifts or site access.

In short, the pace is in your hands—submit your evidence promptly, respond to feedback quickly, and you can complete the NVQ just as fast.

What happens when I apply?

Click the “Book your NVQ” button and you’ll be taken to our short online profiling form. The form collects the details we need to register you and asks you to attach a clear photo of the front and back of your CPCS or NPORS card.

When the form arrives, one of our assessors phones you for a brief chat. The call confirms that the NVQ is a good fit—that you have the right skills, site access, machine availability and can gather the required evidence.

If the assessor is happy, we email an invoice. The profiling call is free and there is no obligation: if you decide not to go ahead, simply ignore the invoice. If you do want to proceed, pay the invoice and we will enrol you and pass your details to the assessor the same day, so you can start collecting evidence straight away.

Can I claim the CITB grant for this NVQ?

Yes, if you are a CITB-registered employer. This NVQ is eligible for the short-qualification grant of £600 (claimable on completion by the employer).

Only the company (not the individual learner) can make the claim, and the application must be submitted to CITB within 52 weeks of the achievement date.

If you are a sole trader or limited company already on the CITB register, you can still claim; private individuals who are not levy-registered cannot.

To confirm eligibility, call the CITB Levy & Grants team on 0344 994 4455 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–18:00) or email levy.grant@citb.co.uk to confirm your registration and grant status.

Do you offer discounts for multiple tickets?

Yes. Each category (ticket) requires a separate NVQ, but if you complete more than one at the same time, we’ll reduce the overall cost:

1 category – £745 + VAT
2 categories – 25% off (£1,118 + VAT)
3 categories – 35% off (£1,451 + VAT)
4 categories – 40% off (£1,788 + VAT)

The more categories you complete together, the bigger the saving — and you’ll still have up to 12 months to finish them all. Book multiple categories and save up to 40%.