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Traffic Marshal and Banksman Course (UK) 2026

This course is for security officers, stewards and site workers in the UK who guide vehicles in yards, car parks, construction sites and events. It covers reversing risks, site traffic rules, the standard hand signals and the limits on directing traffic on public roads. HSE says people who direct vehicle movements on construction sites must be trained and authorised, and that anyone who guides vehicles should be trained; this course is background knowledge only and does not replace that training.

  • Course
  • United Kingdom
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 30 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsTraffic Marshal and Banksman Course (UK): Lessons: about 30 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Explain why reversing is a major cause of workplace transport deaths
  • Describe how sites plan traffic to reduce reversing and separate people from vehicles
  • Work safely as a banksman: position, visibility and communication
  • Recognise and give the standard hand signals
  • Know who has the legal power to direct traffic on public roads

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    According to HSE, roughly what share of deaths involving workplace transport happen during reversing?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Nearly a quarter

    HSE says nearly a quarter of all deaths involving workplace transport occur during reversing.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What is the best first step HSE suggests to reduce reversing risks on a site?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Set up one-way or drive-through routes

    HSE says to remove the need for reversing altogether where possible, for example with one-way systems.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    When does HSE say a site should consider using a banksman to direct reversing?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only where no other way can control the risk

    HSE says to consider a banksman or signaller only where there is no other way to control reversing risks.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    A driver is reversing and loses sight of the banksman. What should the driver do?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop the vehicle immediately

    HSE says the driver should stop immediately if the banksman disappears from view.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    Where should a signaller stand when guiding a reversing vehicle?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In the driver's view, out of the vehicle's path

    HSE says signallers must be visible to the driver at all times and stand where they can guide the vehicle without being in its path.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    What should a signaller wear so the driver can see them?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Highly visible clothing, such as a reflective vest

    HSE and HSENI say signallers should wear highly visible clothing, such as high-visibility vests.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Which regulations give the standard hand signals that banksmen and drivers should use in Great Britain?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996

    HSE says the standard signals are given in the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 (guidance L64).

  8. Question 8 of 25

    In the standard hand signals, what does the right arm pointed straight up, palm facing forward, mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop

    Under Schedule 1 Part IX of the 1996 Regulations, STOP is the right arm pointing upwards with the palm facing forwards.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    A signaller holds both arms straight out to the sides with palms facing forward. What does this mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Start (attention)

    START, meaning attention or start of command, is both arms extended horizontally with the palms facing forwards.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Which standard signal means danger, or an emergency stop?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Both arms raised above the head, palms forward

    DANGER (emergency stop) is both arms extended upwards with the palms facing forwards.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    A banksman bends both arms, palms up, and slowly moves the forearms towards the body. What does this tell the driver?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Move forwards, towards the banksman

    MOVE FORWARDS is both arms bent with palms upwards and the forearms making slow movements towards the body.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    When a signaller gives the standard RIGHT or LEFT signal, whose right or left is meant?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The signaller's

    The 1996 Regulations say the RIGHT and LEFT signals are given from the signaller's point of view.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Under the standard code, how does a signaller tell the driver to slow down?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Make the same signal more slowly

    The code says QUICK means the movements are made faster and SLOW means they are made more slowly.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    While signalling, what should the signaller's duties be limited to?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Directing the move and keeping nearby workers safe

    The 1996 Regulations say the signaller should only direct the manoeuvres and look after the safety of workers nearby.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    A driver cannot carry out a signaller's order safely. What do the standard signal rules say the driver must do?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Suspend the move and ask for new instructions

    Schedule 1 Part IX says the operator must suspend the manoeuvre and ask for new instructions if they cannot carry out orders safely.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    A signaller cannot see the whole manoeuvre without putting themselves at risk. What should happen?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. One or more extra signallers should be used

    The 1996 Regulations say one or more auxiliary signallers should be used if the signaller cannot see all of the manoeuvre without being endangered.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Under CDM 2015, when someone directs a driver who does not have full visibility, who may have to warn people at risk?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The driver, the person directing, or both

    Regulation 28(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 puts the duty to warn on the driver, the person providing directions, or both.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    What does regulation 27 of CDM 2015 require for any loading bay on a construction site?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least one exit for pedestrians only

    Regulation 27(3)(d) says any loading bay must have at least one exit for the exclusive use of pedestrians.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    What does HSE say about people who direct vehicle movements on construction sites?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. They must be trained and authorised to do it

    HSE says people who direct vehicle movements (signallers) must be trained and authorised to do so.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    At an event, when does HSE say tasks using work vehicles in public areas should be finished?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Before the audience is admitted

    HSE event safety guidance says work vehicle tasks in public areas should be completed before the audience is admitted.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    Under section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is an offence for a driver to ignore traffic directions from whom?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A police constable or traffic officer

    Section 35 makes it an offence to neglect or refuse directions from a constable or traffic officer engaged in regulating traffic in a road.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    In England and Wales, who can give an accredited person the power to control traffic on a road?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The chief officer of police for the area

    Under Schedule 5 of the Police Reform Act 2002, an accredited person gets traffic powers only if their accreditation from the chief officer of police says so.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    Which body publishes guidance on reversing vehicles in Northern Ireland workplaces?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. HSENI

    The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is the workplace health and safety regulator in Northern Ireland and publishes reversing guidance.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    What does HSE say about people who do not need to be in a reversing area?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. They should be kept well clear

    HSE says reversing areas should be planned and clearly marked, and people who do not need to be there should be kept well clear.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    Why should a reversing alarm not be the only warning on a busy site?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It can blend into the background noise

    HSE says audible alarms must be loud and distinct enough not to become part of the background noise, and flashing lights can help where an alarm might blend in.

What to know before the test

  • Nearly a quarter of all deaths involving workplace transport happen during reversing.
  • If a driver loses sight of the banksman, the driver should stop immediately.
  • Standard hand signals are set out in the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.
  • HSE says people who direct vehicle movements on construction sites must be trained and authorised.
  • On a public road, drivers must obey traffic directions from a police constable or traffic officer.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need training to work as a banksman?

Yes. HSE says people who direct vehicle movements on construction sites must be trained and authorised, and that everyone involved in guiding vehicles should be trained. Ask your employer about the training your site requires. This course is background knowledge only and does not replace that training.

Can a security officer direct traffic on a public road?

Not with legal force. Drivers must obey police constables and traffic officers, and in England and Wales some people accredited by the chief officer of police have traffic powers. On private land, such as a car park, you work to the site traffic plan.

What should a driver do if they cannot see the banksman?

Stop immediately and wait until the banksman is back in view.

Is banksman the same as signaller?

Yes. HSE uses both words for a trained person who guides a vehicle and keeps people clear of it.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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