Description

About the Course

In timber yards, steel stockholders, builders’ merchants and manufacturing plants, sideloaders handle the long, awkward loads that a standard forklift can’t manage, from lengths of timber and steel to pipes and panels. Carrying long loads along narrow aisles and through busy yards takes real skill, and a misjudged turn or unstable load can quickly cause damage or injury. The NPORS N006 Sideloader Lift Truck course gives you the training, testing and recognised card you need to operate one safely and legally.

Whether you’re brand new to sideloaders or you’ve been driving one for years, we have a route for you. You can choose a full 5-day novice course, a refresher course or an experienced worker test.

Key Course Information

• Accreditation: NPORS
• Duration:
  • Novice Course: 5 days
  • Experienced Worker Test: 1 day
• Refresher Course: Available upon request with proof of previous certification
• Card Validity:
  • NPORS Traditional: 5 years
  • NPORS Red Trained Operator: 2 years
• Location: Nationwide

Who Is This Course For?

This course is built for anyone who operates, or needs to operate, a sideloader in timber, steel, builders’ merchants, manufacturing or warehousing. It’s particularly well suited to:

• New operators looking to get their first sideloader card
• Experienced operators who need a recognised card for workplace compliance
• Yard, stores and warehouse staff who handle long loads every day
• Employers who need their team certified to meet client or insurer requirements

Entry Requirements

• A good working understanding of spoken and written English
• For the NPORS Red Trained Operator Card with the CSCS logo only: the CITB Operatives Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E) Touchscreen Test, passed within the last 2 years. If you haven’t taken it yet, we can help you book it.

What You Will Learn

The course covers everything from pre-use checks to handling long loads and loading lorries, so you can operate confidently from the start of your shift to the end. By the end, you’ll be able to:

• Understand the risks of the industry and your responsibilities as an operator
• Use the manufacturer’s handbook for the sideloader you’re operating
• Identify the main components and controls, including steering, driving and braking, and explain what they do
• Carry out pre-use checks in line with manufacturer and legal requirements
• Mount and dismount safely, start and stop the engine, and move off and stop safely
• Travel and manoeuvre laden and unladen, in open and confined areas
• Carry out safety checks at the work area and set up for lifting
• Carry out lifting and load handling tasks
• Lift, transfer and place loads accurately and safely at different locations
• Load and unload lorries and other external transport
• Fit, adjust and remove attachments
• Understand how the sideloader itself is loaded and unloaded for transport
• Carry out end-of-shift and shutdown procedures

How You’re Assessed

Novice route (5 days): Days 1–4 cover classroom theory and hands-on practical training on a sideloader. On day 5, you’ll sit the NPORS theory and practical tests. With a maximum of 3 candidates per instructor, you’ll get plenty of time on the machine.

Experienced worker route (1 day): This route is for operators with substantial, recent sideloader experience. You’ll go straight to the NPORS theory and practical tests with no training element, so you’ll need to be confident operating without support.

What Card Will I Get?

Pass both tests and you’ll receive one of the following:

• NPORS Traditional Card: valid for 5 years. No HS&E touchscreen test needed.
• NPORS Red Trained Operator Card (CSCS logo): valid for 2 years. Only available if you’ve passed the CITB Operatives HS&E touchscreen test within the last 2 years.

Both cards cover the N006 Sideloader Lift Truck category.

Renewing and Upgrading Your Card

• Traditional Card: no NVQ is required. After 5 years, you’ll retake the test to renew or submit a renewal form to NPORS.
• Red Trained Operator Card: this card is valid for 2 years and can’t be renewed like-for-like. You’ll need to complete the Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations – Fork Lift Trucks and hold an operatives touchscreen test passed within the last 2 years to upgrade to the Blue card, so it’s worth starting early.
• Blue Competent Operator Card: valid for 5 years. To renew, you’ll need to complete a logbook showing your operating experience, hold a valid operatives touchscreen test completed within the last 2 years and submit a renewal form every 5 years.

Download Course Information

Download the full NPORS N009 Rough Terrain Lift Truck course PDF to save or share with your employer.

Download Course PDF

Ready to Book?

Check availability, get a quote, or secure your place on the next available course date. Our team will get back to you within one working day.