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Pass Your Heavy Equipment Test
First Try.

Haven't done math in 10 years? Test wording throwing you off? You're not the only one. Dirt School is built for real operators — not classroom kids.

You already know how to run iron. This just helps you pass the test.

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IUOE · Red Seal · NCCER · Instant PDF download

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📄 Cheat Sheets Quick refs Free → 📝 Practice Tests Full exams Free → 🗂️ Templates PDF forms Free → 🧮 Dirt Calculator 22 Free Tools Free → 🛠️ HEO Toolkit Calculators & logs Free → 📚 All Resources Blog & guides Browse →

It's not the work.
It's the test.

📐
Haven't done math in years

You've been calculating load weights and percent grade in your head for years. Writing it down on a timed test is different.

📄
Test language throws you off

Safety regs and formal wording confuse operators who know the work but haven't seen a written exam since grade school.

3 attempts. Don't waste the first one.

Most guys don't fail because they're dumb. They fail because they weren't prepared for how the test is written. Don't walk in cold.

📚
No good study material exists

Generic aptitude prep books use train problems and geometry. Nothing built for operators, by operators. Until now.

The Solution

Study material that actually makes sense.

Every example uses real machines, real job sites, and real scenarios. Written by someone who grew up in this industry — not a textbook publisher.

Real-world math examples

Cat 330 bucket capacities, haul truck loads, percent grade — not train problems.

Job site knowledge

Grade stakes, FLRA, radio comms, working with surveyors. The stuff that's never in any book.

Full practice tests

40-100 questions depending on the exam, with answer keys and scoring rubrics.

Exam trap breakdowns

How the test tries to trick you. Unit traps, "which is NOT" questions, conservative answers.

10-minute cram sheets

Every critical number on one page. Read it before you walk in.

Study plans included

Day-by-day 7-day prep schedule so you know exactly what to do and when.

Pick your exam. Get the guide.

All guides are instant PDF downloads. Written in plain English. No fluff.

🏆 Flagship Guide
Canada & USA

Pass the IUOE Aptitude Test — The Complete Operator's Study Guide

The test that gets experienced operators — this guide fixes that. Full exam prep with real-world examples, not textbook garbage.

  • 19 chapters of real operator knowledge
  • Math, mechanical reasoning, reading, spatial
  • 40-question practice test with answer key
  • 7-day study plan + 10-min cram sheet
  • How the test tries to trick you
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Canada

Red Seal Heavy Equipment Operator — Complete Exam Prep Guide

Everything you need for the Red Seal HEO endorsement. Covers Dozer, Excavator, and all equipment streams.

  • Based on the National Occupational Analysis
  • 100-question practice test with detailed answers
  • Canadian regulations: WorkSafe, WHMIS, Fisheries Act
  • Field vs Exam callouts throughout
  • Full reference guide included
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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USA

NCCER Heavy Equipment Operations — Complete Study Guide

Full NCCER Level 1-3 curriculum prep. Written + practical evaluation coverage for all equipment types.

  • OSHA safety standards and regulations
  • All machine types: excavator, dozer, grader, loader
  • 50-question practice test with answer key
  • Practical evaluation checklist: what gets you failed instantly
  • Equipment inspection procedures
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Alberta

Pass the IUOE Aptitude Test — Local 955 Alberta Edition

Alberta-specific: oil sands, pipeline, H2S safety, and real 2024 wage data from the CBA. Built for Local 955 applicants.

  • Alberta-specific content throughout
  • Math, mechanical, reading & spatial sections
  • 8 diagrams — gears, levers, pulleys, rotation
  • 60-question full mock test with answer key
  • Real 2024 wage rates: $44–$82/hr by classification
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Canada & USA

Pass Your Class 1 / Class 3 Road Test — The Complete Pre-Trip & Commercial Driver Guide

Everything for Class 1 or Class 3 road test success. Pre-trip inspection, air brakes, and real driving scenarios.

  • Pre-trip inspection checklist (80+ points)
  • Air brake system fundamentals
  • Coupling and uncoupling procedures
  • Road test scoring rubric breakdown
  • Common immediate-fail scenarios
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Alberta

Pass Your Class 1 / Class 3 Road Test (Alberta) — Complete Pre-Trip, Air Brakes & Driving System

Alberta-specific Class 1/3 road test. Pre-trip, air brakes, and exact Alberta testing criteria.

  • Alberta pre-trip inspection standards
  • Air brake diagnostics and emergency systems
  • Alberta road test routes and common traps
  • Scoring rubric with pass/fail examples
  • Vehicle inspection log templates
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Tools & Logs

Heavy Equipment Operator Log System (Daily Logs, Inspection, Fuel Tracking & Field Operations)

Complete daily log system for operators. Track hours, fuel, machine condition, and job site activities on every shift.

  • Daily equipment operation log template
  • Fuel and maintenance tracking
  • Pre-start inspection checklist
  • Production tracking worksheet
  • PDF forms ready to print and use
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Safety & Compliance

Job Site Safety System (Toolbox Talks, FLHA Forms, JHA + Safety Checklists)

Complete safety documentation system for crews. Toolbox talks, FLHA forms, JHA templates, and daily safety checklists.

  • 30 pre-written toolbox talk templates
  • FLHA (Field Level Hazard Assessment) forms
  • JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) worksheets
  • Daily safety checklist for operators
  • Incident report and near-miss forms
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Business & Tools

Construction Estimating System (Cut/Fill, Costs, Bids + Templates)

Complete estimating system for operators bidding work. Calculate cut/fill, costs, and generate professional bids.

  • Cut/fill volume calculation worksheet
  • Production rate tables for all equipment
  • Cost breakdown by machine type
  • Bid template with contingency planning
  • Excel calculator (ready to use)
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Tools & Reference

Operator Toolkit — Heavy Equipment Calculators, Logbook & Checklist

All-in-one operator reference. Calculators, production tables, equipment specs, and daily checklists in one handy guide.

  • Heavy equipment calculator guide
  • Production rates by machine and material
  • Hydraulic pressure conversion charts
  • Daily operator logbook
  • Equipment specification quick reference
FREE / instant download
Get Free Access →
Business Guide

Owner-Operator Start-Up Guide: Machine Financing, Business Setup & Scaling

Everything an operator needs to start their own company. Financing, setup, legal, and scaling to a small fleet.

  • Machine financing and purchase strategy
  • Business registration and liability setup
  • Insurance requirements checklist
  • Contract templates and rate setting
  • Scaling from solo to multi-machine operation
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Mining & Heavy

Mining Operations Guide — Haul Road Protocol, MSHA, and the $200k Operator Path

Complete guide to mining operations. Haul road protocols, MSHA compliance, production standards, and the $200k operator path.

  • Mining haul road design and maintenance
  • MSHA regulations for surface mining
  • Production targets and safety metrics
  • Advanced operator skills for mining
  • Wage progression: From $80k to $200k+ annually
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Apprentice & New

First Year Apprentice Field Guide — How to Not Get Fired in Year One

Survival guide for first-year apprentices. Camp etiquette, job site culture, safety, and how to earn respect from seasoned operators.

  • Camp life and crew dynamics
  • Machine operation fundamentals
  • Safety culture and working smart
  • Communication on job sites
  • Foreman expectations and performance
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Pipeline & Specialized

Pipeline Operator Handbook — Spread Roles, LOA Math, and the $40–70k Civil-to-Pipeline Transition

Complete guide to pipeline operations. Spread roles, crew structures, LOA (Letter of Award) math, and the transition from civil.

  • Pipeline crew spread structure and roles
  • LOA (Letter of Award) calculations and rates
  • Daily operations on a spread
  • Equipment specific to pipeline work
  • Wage progression from civil to pipeline ($40–70k+)
CAD $9.99 / instant download
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Why Dirt School

Built by operators.
Not educators.

The person who wrote these guides grew up in the heavy equipment industry in BC and Yukon. Worked camp jobs every summer on highway projects. No formal tickets. Learned from old-timers, not a classroom.

✓ Learned on real job sites
✓ Not from textbooks
✓ Built for guys who hate school
✓ Based on real operator experience
500K+
Operators in North America
3
Exam streams covered
$0
Textbook garbage inside
"You haven't been in a classroom in ten years. You know how to run iron. What you need is someone to translate the test — not explain the trade from scratch."

What's Inside

Job Site Knowledge

  • Reading grade stakes
  • FLRA and daily paperwork
  • Working with the survey crew
  • Real safety stories
  • Camp life and the career

Test Prep

  • Math with construction examples
  • Hydraulics, gears, pulleys, levers
  • Reading comprehension
  • Spatial reasoning + free practice links
  • 40-question mock test

Extras

  • 7-day study plan
  • 10-minute cram sheet
  • How the test tries to trick you
  • Formula reference card
  • Full glossary

139 pages · Instant PDF download · $9.99

Get the IUOE Guide →

Real talk for real operators.

No sponsored content. No clickbait. Just useful information.

Free Practice

Practice questions. Free.

No signup needed. Real construction examples. Pick your exam.

IUOE

Red Seal

NCCER

General

Free Download

Get the free IUOE cram sheet.

Every critical number, formula, and exam trap on one page. Read it before you walk into the test. Instant download, no spam.

Used by operators studying for IUOE, Red Seal & NCCER