What does the UDT exam look like?

UDT exam requirements  

For some devices used in industry/construction, such as forklifts, mobile elevating platforms (cherry pickers), cranes or overhead cranes, you must have an authorization license issued by the UDT – Office of Technical Inspection.

To obtain UDT Polish license, you must meet the following conditions:

• be over 18 years of age
• have no serious health contraindications to operate the device – e.g. serious disability (you don’t need to have a medical examination)
• have an appropriate scope of theoretical knowledge
• have appropriate operator skills
• apply and pay for an exam at the Office of Technical Inspection
• successfully pass all parts of the exam – theoretical and practical

The basis is to find a good training center that offers a UDT Polish license course in English and that organizes the exams and a certificated sworn translator that will translate your exam.

So what does the UDT exam look like?

The exam consists of three parts – a multiple choice test, an oral question regarding daily technical aspects, operating of the device, .

1st part of the UDT exam is test – you will get 15 questions

Sample of questions on the UDT test:

A change in technical parameters or a change in the construction of a technical device is treated as:
a ) technical device modernization
b ) technical device repair
c ) removing defects and other irregularities of a technical device
d ) creating a new device

The Main Act law of technical supervision defines the following forms of technical supervision:
a ) total, partial, limited
b ) full, limited, simplified
c ) full, periodical, sporadic
d ) UDT, WDT, TDT

The STOP safety switch is:
a ) protection against accidental operation
b ) located close to the operator
c ) red color
d ) answer b and c is correct

The indicator in the following figure shows:
a ) indicator of the forklift capacity limiter
b ) coolant temperature control lamp
c ) fuel level control lamp
d ) battery charge indicator light

Only one option is the correct answer.

From a group of 15 questions, you must provide at least 11 correct answers to pass this part of the exam.

You have up to 30 minutes to complete the test. We know from experience that if a student is well prepared, they can complete the test in just 15 minutes, getting 15 correct answers, but this requires good training and materials. 

The test is checked by a UDT inspector immediately after it has been written and after obtaining a positive result, we move on to the next part of the exam – verbal question

2nd part of the UDT exam is a verbal question regarding daily technical / operating aspects of the device.

During this part you will be asked by the UDT inspector how to make inspection of some issues regarding a particular machine. 

Example of such question:
Please describe how to check the signaling/lighting system?
Please describe how to check the correct operation of the main brake?
Checking the documentation in terms of the possibility of using the device?
Please present the verification of the condition of the hydraulic system?

Only one question will be asked. If the answer to the question is complete and satisfactory, we move on to the next, final part of the UDT exam. 

After passing this part of the exam, we move on to the last part which is.:

3rd part of the UDT exam is driving / operatnig part

This part of the exam is intended to show the UDT inspector that you can safely operate a given device and have control over it. During this part it is important that you do not rush and think twice about the activity you want to perform. You can make any number of movements to set the device in the proper position. It is important that you do it safely, in accordance with the regulations for operating a particular device that apply in Poland, which we will teach you during the training. The tasks on the exam are different, depending on the device.

For example, in the case of a practical forklift exam – 1st leaving the parking place, picking up the load, driving through the track in a slalom backwards, returning in a slalom forward, putting down the load, parking the device in the designated parking place

During the practical exam, you demonstrate your operator skills on only one device in a given category, but your authorizations will cover all devices assigned to a given category by law.

Unfortunately, if only one part of the exam is passed with a negative result, the entire exam must be repeated.

Now you know what the UDT exam looks like, so go on and

FAQ 

What documents do I need as a foreigner to be able to take the UDT exam? 
To take part in the UDT training and exam, you must have either a valid passport or a temporary residence card or a Polish ID card.

What is the cost of training and examination? 
Training costs vary depending on the type of device, exam costs depend on the costs of a sworn translator and the costs of the UDT exam, which depend on government arrangements.

How long do I have to wait for my authorization badge after passing the exam?
Authorizations in the form of a plastic card are issued approximately 2-3 weeks after passing the exam.

Can I operate a device subject to technical supervision without having an operator’s license?
According to the current regulations, working without a license is punishable by a fine or restriction of freedom, and in the event of causing an accident, by imprisonment. Employers are not allowed to employ an operator without the appropriate licenses.

What is the waiting time for the exam?
The waiting time for the exam depends on the region of Poland and is usually three to four weeks from the moment of registering for the training and paying all fees.