What is A Traffic Marshall And What Training Is Required?

What is a Traffic Marshall?

A Traffic Marshal, also known as a Vehicle Banksmen and Plant and Vehicle Marshaller, is someone responsible for directing and overseeing vehicle movement on-site – especially in high-risk areas like the construction industry.

Their tasks include:

Guiding vehicles during loading and unloading
Ensuring safe vehicle movement with the construction site or worksite
Minimising the risk of accidents

For employers, Traffic Marshal training is crucial for legal compliance and workplace safety. Some of the training courses for Traffic Marshal can provide pathways to CSCS Cards, which demonstrate verified competency to employers and meet the sector recommendations for training and competence.

What you need to know as an employer?

Each year within the construction industry, approximately ten people die as a result of being struck by vehicles on site. In addition, there are hundreds of preventable accidents and injuries.

Accidents occur from groundworks to finishing works and managers, workers, visitors to sites and members of the public can all be at risk. Inadequate planning and control is the root cause of many construction vehicle accidents.

Note: With recent construction industry changes to CSCS cards, many CSCS Green Labourer Card holders are now seeking progression through recognised CSCS routes, which have become increasingly popular among construction employers and workers.

Training Routes & Qualifications

There are various courses and qualification options available depending on your experience and construction site access requirements. Use the question flow below to identify the best training route for you.

Funding Support

If you are employed by or sub-contracting to a CITB levy registered employer, funding or grants may be available – some training may even be fully funded.

Start Here: Which Training Path Applies to You?

Question 1 – Are you new to the job role and need training?

Yes → Go to Question 2
No → Go to Question 4

Question 2: Do you need a recognised card for site access?

Yes → Go to Question 3
No → Take the course 1. Take Control: Vehicle Marshalling in Construction

Question 3: Do you have a preferred plant partner card scheme?

NPORS CSCS Affiliated – CSCS recognised partner card scheme – Take the course 2. NPORS Vehicle Marshal (N403) – Novice
CPCS – CSCS recognised partner card scheme – Take the course 3. CPCS Traffic Marshall (A73) – Novice
NPORS traditional – not recommended for the construction sector. Take the course 2. NPORS Vehicle Marshal (N403) – Novice.

Question 4 – Do you need a recognised card for site access?

Yes → Go to Question 5
No → Take the course 1. Take Control Vehicle Marshalling in Construction

Question 5: Do you carry out Site Logistics on-site regularly and regularly do 2 of the following?

Controlling vehicular traffic on construction sites
Maintaining construction site set-up systems
Coordinating construction resources
Managing fire safety systems
Maintaining waste systems

Yes → Choose Site Logistics NVQ
No → Choose Plant Option 1 – Experienced – where a red card is required straight away
No → Choose 7. L2 NVQ certificate in Plant Operations – pathway 15 Movement Guide to complete NVQ first and progress to blue competence card with follow on tests

Starting Your Traffic Marshal Training Journey

If you are new to Traffic Marshalling / Vehicle Banksmen, there are 3 main training options available to get you started.

1) Take Control Vehicle Marshalling in Construction

This course is ideal for individuals who may be required to manage the movement of construction plant equipment, delivery vehicles and general vehicle operations on a construction site or worksite.

Who Should Attend? Anyone who will have responsibility for directing vehicle movement on-site — banksmen, marshals, or operatives.
Accreditation: This is a Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) approved short course standard
Objective: To prepare candidates who have responsibility for manoeuvring vehicles on, off and within busy construction sites or premises to recognise the importance of accepting and dispersing vehicles in a safe and efficient manner, recognise significant risks and give clear and precise signals to vehicles
Ideal for: Site Managers, Contracts Managers, Working Supervisors and Site Supervisors, construction trades and any individuals responsible for directing vehicle movement.
Duration: 6 hours
Location: Nationwide at clients preferred premises
Delivery: Combines classroom instruction with on-site assessment, including group exercises.
Site Requirements: Access to relevant plant and equipment, along with a secure area on the client’s site, is necessary for practical training.
Group Cost: Group-friendly pricing; great value for teams. If you are employed by or sub-contracting to a CITB levy registered employer, funding or grants may be available – some training may even be fully funded.
Individual Cost: The most cost-effective route would be to visit your local CITB Approved Training Organisation offering the standard “Take Control Vehicle Marshalling in Construction” you can use the training search here: ATO Search. If you do not have a local provider in your area try NPORS Centre search for N403 NPORS vehicle Marshall
Progression: Once you have completed your training and are working on a construction site you may wish to progress to: Level 2 NVQ in Site Logistics Operations

2) NPORS Vehicle Marshal (N403) – Novice

An NPORS-accredited course equips participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively marshal vehicles in construction or similar work environments.

Who Should attend? Anyone responsible for guiding vehicle movement on-site – including site marshals and banksmen – or those needing to demonstrate proficiency in this role.
Duration: Novice Operator: 1 Day, maximum of 3 candidates
Location: Nationwide Delivery on-site
Pre-Course requirements: For industry recommended NPORS CSCS affiliated card a valid operative Health Safety and Environment test is required.
Site Requirements: Access to relevant plant and equipment, along with a secure area on the client’s site, is necessary for practical training.
Group Cost: Group-friendly pricing; great value for teams. If you are employed by or sub-contracting to a CITB levy registered employer, funding or grants may be available – some training may even be fully funded.
Individual Cost: The most cost-effective route would be to visit your local NPORS test centre: NPORS Centre search
NPORS Traditional option: Also available as an option but is not recommended for the construction sector. No pre-requisite for the valid operative Health Safety and Environment test
Progression: Once you hold CSCS Affiliated red card for N403 NPORS Vehicle Marshal and actively working on site on completion of L2 NVQ certificate in Plant Operations – pathway 15 Movement Guide you can upgrade to the CSCS Affiliated blue competence card

3) CPCS Traffic Marshall (A73) – Novice

This course, under the CPCS scheme, is designed to provide the required training to safely and effectively manage vehicle movements on construction sites and other work areas.

Who should attend: Traffic marshals, site managers, supervisors, or anyone tasked with directing vehicles on-site.
Duration: 1 day
Pre-Course requirements – A valid operative Health Safety and Environment test is required.
Location: Nationwide Delivery on-site
Cost: The most cost-effective route would be to visit your local CPCS test centre: CPCS Centre search
Progression: Once you hold red card for CPCS A73 Traffic Marshal and actively working on site on completion of L2 NVQ certificate in Plant Operations – pathway 15 Movement Guide you can upgrade to the CPCS blue competence card

Already Working as a Traffic Marshal but Need a CSCS Site Card?

If you’re experienced in the role but need the appropriate qualification or card, consider the following:

4) NPORS Vehicle Marshal N403 – Experienced

Who Should attend?
Anyone responsible for guiding vehicle movement on-site – including site marshals and banksmen – or those needing to demonstrate proficiency in this role and need to demonstrate competence in this area with a recognised plant card.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Location: Nationwide Delivery on-site
Pre-Course requirements – For industry recommended NPORS CSCS affiliated card a valid operative Health Safety and Environment test is required.
Site Requirements: Access to relevant plant and equipment, along with a secure area on the client’s site, is necessary for practical training.
Group Cost: Group-friendly pricing; great value for teams. If you are employed by or sub-contracting to a CITB levy registered employer, funding or grants may be available – some training may even be fully funded.
Individual Cost: The most cost-effective route would be to visit your local NPORS test centre: NPORS Centre search
NPORS Traditional option: Also available as NPORS traditional not recommended for the construction sector. No pre-requisite for the valid operative Health Safety and Environment test
Progression: Once you hold CSCS Affiliated red card for N403 NPORS Vehicle Marshal and actively working on site on completion of L2 NVQ certificate in Plant Operations – pathway 15 Movement Guide you can upgrade to the CSCS Affiliated blue competence card

5) CPCS Traffic Marshall (A73) – Experienced

This course, under the CPCS scheme, is designed to provide the required training to safely and effectively manage vehicle movements on construction sites and other work areas.

Who should attend: Traffic marshals, site managers, supervisors, or anyone tasked with directing vehicles on-site and need to demonstrate competence in this area with a recognised plant card.
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Pre-Course requirements – A valid operative Health Safety and Environment test is required.
Location: Nationwide Delivery on-site
Cost: The most cost-effective route would be to visit your local CPCS test centre: CPCS Centre search
Progression: Once you hold red card for CPCS A73 Traffic Marshal and actively working on site on completion of L2 NVQ certificate in Plant Operations – pathway 15 Movement Guide you can upgrade to the CPCS blue competence card

6) Level 2 NVQ in Site Logistics Operations

This qualification is intended for those already working in a logistics role within construction. It assesses competence and knowledge in a real workplace setting, covering areas such as traffic control, site coordination, fire safety systems, and waste management.

Who should attend: Traffic marshals, site managers, supervisors, or anyone tasked with directing vehicles on-site and need to demonstrate competence in this area with a recognised plant card.
Need to be actively carrying out Site Logistics on-site regularly and regularly do 2 of the following:
- Controlling vehicular traffic on construction sites
- Maintaining construction site set-up systems
- Coordinating construction resources
- Managing fire safety systems
- Maintaining waste systems
Duration: 1 to 2 visits
Location: Nationwide Delivery on-site
Cost: £995 +VAT. If you are employed by or sub-contracting to a CITB levy registered employer, funding or grants may be available – some training may even be fully funded.
Pre-course requirements: Candidates must be employed, as assessment is based on live workplace activity.

7) Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations – pathway 15 Movement Guide

Who should attend: Traffic marshals, site managers, supervisors, or anyone tasked with directing vehicles on-site and need to demonstrate competence in this area with a recognised plant card.
Duration: 1 to 2 visits
Location: Nationwide Delivery on-site
Cost: £995 +VAT. If you are employed by or sub-contracting to a CITB levy registered employer, funding or grants may be available – some training may even be fully funded.
Pre-course requirements: Candidates must be employed, as assessment is based on live workplace activity.
Progression:
- For holder of the red card on CPCS or CSCS Affiliated card can be upgraded to the competence card on completion of the NVQ when the full card requirements are met.
Where NVQ is completed first the relevant follow on experienced test for the preferred plant card scheme can be completed to go straight to the blue competence card – see NPORS Vehicle Marshal N403 – Experienced or CPCS Traffic Marshall (A73) – Experienced

Grants & Funding Overview for all Traffic Marshall courses and qualifications

Course/Qualification	Short Qualification Grant	Skills & Training Fund	Employer Networks
Take Control – Vehicle Marshalling in Construction	Yes – Tier 1 £60	Yes	Yes
NPORS Vehicle Marshal (N403) – Novice	Yes – Tier 2 Plant & Vehicle – £630	–	–
NPORS Vehicle Marshal (N403) – Experienced	Yes – Tier 2 – Plant & Vehicle – £300	–	–
CPCS Traffic Marshal (A73)	TBC	TBC	TBC
Level 2 NVQ in Site Logistics Operations	Yes – £600	Yes	–
Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Plant Operations	Yes – £600	Yes	–

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right training path ensures you’re properly certified and safe on site. It also opens doors for progression in the construction industry.