Mock tests
The CACES theory test: how it is marked
Enter your points in each theme: the simulator applies both rules of the recommendations and tells you whether the test is passed, and if not what is missing.
Independent site, not linked to the French Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie), the INRS, testing bodies or training centres.
Theory test result
Fail
68 / 100
| Theme | Score / min |
|---|---|
| General knowledge | 11/15 · 8 |
| Ride-on truck technology and stability | 19/25 · 13 |
| Load chart and capacity diagram | 8/10 · 5 |
| Operating ride-on trucks | 30/50 · 25 |
2 more points needed to reach 70.
The CACES theory test is marked out of 100 points, one point per question. The French Health Insurance recommendations set two conditions that must both be met: at least 70 points overall, and in every theme of the assessment sheet a score at least equal to the average, meaning half the points of the theme. In R489 that means at least 8 points out of 15 in general knowledge, 13 out of 25 in technology and stability, 5 out of 10 on the load chart and 25 out of 50 in operation. A candidate can therefore score 85 out of 100 and still fail, by losing six points out of ten on the load chart. The test lasts one test unit, one hour give or take ten minutes, and is sat in French at a certified testing body, with at most 12 candidates per tester. The simulator above applies these rules to each of the five recommendations.
How many points per theme in the R489 test?
Points in the test
50 / 100
| Minimum to score | 25 points |
| Syllabus points | 19 |
| Heaviest | Main causes of lift truck accidents (5) |
Questions, explanations and calculations by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method
The two rules in practice
The 70-point rule checks the overall level; the half-per-theme rule stops you making up for a serious gap with easy points elsewhere. A forklift driver who cannot read a capacity plate is not safe, even if they know every sign. The three cases below show it, in R489.
| Case | Total | Weakest theme | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good score, balanced themes | 78 | Load chart 6 / 10 | Pass |
| Good score, one weak theme | 86 | Load chart 4 / 10 | Fail |
| Borderline score, balanced themes | 70 | General knowledge 8 / 15 | Pass |
| Score too low | 68 | Operation 33 / 50 | Fail |
The marking schemes, recommendation by recommendation
| Theme | Points | Minimum | Syllabus points |
|---|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | 15 | 8 | 4 |
| Ride-on truck technology and stability | 25 | 13 | 13 |
| Load chart and capacity diagram | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Operating ride-on trucks | 50 | 25 | 19 |
| Theme | Points | Minimum | Syllabus points |
|---|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | 12 | 6 | 5 |
| Machine technology and stability | 28 | 14 | 12 |
| Operating construction machinery | 44 | 22 | 18 |
| Moving machines on site and on the road | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| End of shift and maintenance | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Theme | Points | Minimum | Syllabus points |
|---|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | 14 | 7 | 4 |
| MEWP technology and stability | 26 | 13 | 12 |
| Operating MEWPs | 54 | 27 | 21 |
| Maintenance | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Theme | Points | Minimum | Syllabus points |
|---|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | 14 | 7 | 5 |
| Lorry loader technology and stability | 28 | 14 | 8 |
| Operating lorry loader cranes | 38 | 19 | 13 |
| Slinging | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Maintenance | 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Theme | Points | Minimum | Syllabus points |
|---|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | 15 | 8 | 4 |
| Pedestrian stacker technology and stability | 25 | 13 | 12 |
| Load chart and capacity diagram | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Operating pedestrian stackers | 50 | 25 | 20 |
The minimum shown is half the theme, rounded up to the next point. The shortest themes are the trickiest: 4 end-of-shift points in R482, 6 maintenance points in R486. Two mistakes on the 4 end-of-shift points are still fine; a third one fails you.
How many mistakes can I still make?
Mistakes still allowed
18
| Limit | 30 mistakes out of 100 |
| Best possible score | 88 / 100 |
Not counting the half-marks-per-theme rule.
How the session runs
You sit the test at a certified testing body, in front of a tester who cannot have been your trainer, with at most 12 candidates. It lasts one test unit, and a candidate cannot sit more than 7 test units in a single day, practical tests included. The body decides whether theory or practical comes first. A training certificate, in-house or external, is required before the test: the recommendations specify that a course limited to passing the test is not enough.
To practise both rules in real conditions, take a full mock exam: it shows the score of every theme with its minimum. If you fail the real test, the failed CACES page explains what you keep.