Information checked: 21 October 2026
UDT overhead crane exam: theory, practice and tests
UDT overhead crane exam: what II S and I S mean, how long the certificate lasts, how the theory test works and what the practical load task involves.
II S or I S: check the scope first
Before you start on overhead crane tests, read the full equipment description on your application. According to training centres, II S refers to general-purpose overhead cranes, hoists and winches, while I S covers general-purpose and special-purpose equipment. These abbreviations come from the training market. The current regulation uses full equipment descriptions, so a familiar code in a course advert doesn't tell you the whole scope you need.
A certificate for general-purpose overhead cranes, hoists and winches is valid for 10 years; the general-purpose and special-purpose scope is valid for 5 years. Compare the scope with the crane you plan to operate, and ask the organiser to explain the differences before you apply. A broader label sounds better, but that alone is no reason to pick a course. Your preparation should match the equipment and the work you'll actually do.
The written theory test
Officially, the theory part is a written test built from a generated set of questions. According to training centres, you get 15 questions, need at least 11 correct answers and have 30 minutes. The UDT regulations don't publish these figures as scoring rules. Use the format to structure your practice, and confirm the details of your own exam with the organiser.
UDT publishes sample questions, but nobody can promise they are the complete bank for your exam. Study the syllabus for your chosen scope. For each answer, explain in your own words why it's right and what rules out the others. Keep unfamiliar terms separate from mistakes you made by rushing. If you're preparing for the special-purpose scope, general-purpose crane questions alone won't be enough.
Practical exam: inspection and moving a load
The practical exam opens with a daily technical servicing task, called OTC in Polish. The commission picks one task, and you can't repeat it to correct a failure. Fail it and the exam ends with a negative result. So practise on the relevant crane with an instructor: do the inspection and say out loud what you're doing. Knowing a component's name isn't the same as being able to assess its condition using the operating instructions.
The crane task is moving a load between designated set-down areas. Here a second irregularity, whether repeated or different, means a negative result. A dangerous situation, damage or an accident stops the exam immediately. In practice sessions, talk through the route, where the load goes down and how you watch the operation. Don't copy movements from videos without checking them against the machine's instructions and your instructor's guidance.
Before exam day: arrangements and revision
Ask whether the organiser has prepared the exam area, the equipment documentation and the attendance of a suitably qualified operator. Under the UDT practical guidelines, if any of this is missing, the commission withdraws from the exam and the result is negative. Find out which crane you'll practise on, too. That way you connect theory questions with the real instructions and controls instead of a generic description.
Split revision into two parts: understanding questions and practising on the crane. After a mock test, go back over wrong answers and note topics to raise with your instructor. Rehearse the practical part as one complete sequence, starting with the equipment inspection. An app score helps you spot gaps in knowledge, but it doesn't show you can handle a load safely and it doesn't guarantee an exam result.
For the general-purpose scope, open Overhead cranes in UDT Trener. For the general-purpose and special-purpose scope, open Special-purpose overhead cranes. Links to both question banks are below. Start with the explanations at your own pace, then use a timed mock test to find the topics that need another look.