The regulations which govern the transportation of dangerous goods requires the adequate training of drivers of tankers, tank containers, bulk and packaged substances. Drivers transporting listed dangerous goods in vehicles over 3.5 tonnes must obtain an ADR Training Certificate for the classes of goods they wish to transport. These certificates are valid for five years.

Who should attend this course?

NTS courses are designed for staff who transport listed dangerous goods in both tankers and packages. Regularly-held courses are available at our approved training centre in Norwich or at your own premises, subject to approval.

This course is provided by the Department of Transport and is administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and consists of modules of training followed by an examination.

Course fees

Please note that the Core, Tankers, Packages and Classes 2 to 9 are available for a special price of £385.00 + VAT £67.38 + exams £200.00 = £652.38

Drivers' hours regulations: attendance at courses is a legal requirement of the occupation and we as training providers must make drivers and their employers aware of the requirements of the drivers' hours regulations if courses are undertaken at weekends or on other drivers' rest days.

ADR Training Certificates are valid for five years. Before the expiry date of the certificate, refresher trainng and examinations must be undertaken by drivers. Drivers must attend an approved course and sit the examinations at least four weeks prior to the expiry date of their ADR Certificate. However drivers can attend approved courses up to 12 months prior to this, and on successful completion, this will be valid from the expiry date of their original.

NTS recommends that all drivers attend approved courses well in advance of this to allow for retakes in the event of failure. If a driver does fail a module at the refresher stage he or she must undergo initial training for that module. Refresher training is only valid for modules indicated on the ADR Training  Certificate. Regularly-held courses are available at our approved training centre in Norwich or at your own premises, subject to approval.

Course fees

Please note that the Core, Tankers, Packages and Classes 2 to 9 are available for a special price of £220.00 + VAT £38.50 + exams £200.00 = £458.50

Drivers' hours regulations: attendance at courses is a legal requirement of the occupation and we as training providers must make drivers and their employers aware of the requirements of the drivers' hours regulations if courses are undertaken at weekends or on other drivers' rest days.

The Dangerous Goods Safety Regulations state that companies which transport dangerous goods by road, rail and inland waterway are required to appoint a DGSA to carry out specific duties and functions.

The regulations require DGSAs to be suitably qualified and to hold a valid VTC training certificate before carrying out these required duties and functions. The purpose of the regulations is to minimise the risk of accidents occurring during the loading and unloading of dangerous goods.

Candidates for the DGSA qualification should have a previous knowledge of dangerous goods and ideally a high level of numeracy and literacy skills, with a keen eye for detail. A high level of application to study will be required.

Course topics

Core module: Classification and identification of dangerous goods, containment systems, marking, labelling and placarding, documentation requirements.

Road module: Transport units, marking, labelling and placarding documentation, compliance thresholds, filling, stowing, loading and segregating, cleaning and/or decontamination.

All classes module: UN classes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 - classification, containment systems, marking, labelling and placarding documentation, compliance thresholds, filling, stowing, loading and segregating, operational requirements, emergency response, training, legal framework.

All units are based on an open book exam basis. There are a number of official texts which delegates will require for training, examinations and also for use in their daily work as DGSAs.

Course duration:  usually a five-day course with examinations held at SQA approved centres.

Course fees: £599.00 + VAT (includes lunch and refreshments)
Standard examination fee is £275.00 (no VAT)

EC Directive 96/35/EC requires that from 1 January 2000, undertakings whose activities include the transport or related loading or unloading of dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterway shall appoint one or more safety advisors. All such advisors must hold a valid vocational certificate gained by examination.

The Consultant

An alternative to training and employing your own advisor is to appoint one of our fully qualified and experienced dangerous goods safety consultants to act as your contracted DGSA advisor. At NTS we have a wealth of transport and dangerous goods advisory experience and we will be pleased to represent and advise you.

Your company

As companies' needs will be different (i.e. fleet sizes, types of goods moved, number of depots, existing safety policies and risk assessments), we will provide an individual service and flexible pricing structure to match your requirements.

The costs

An initial DGSA survey and assessment will identify your company's needs and the proposed number of visits and time required. This will then form part of the annual contract between us and include your detailed quotation.

• The initial survey visit and report: £250.00 (plus VAT)
• An average sized company's annual contract is currently between £1,500 and £2,000 + VAT but inclusive of all legal requirements.

Our service includes:

• Personal DGSA advisor
• Point of contact
• Annual contract
• Telephone support
• Written advice
• Fully insured service 

'The general requirements of the provisions for the carriage of dangerous goods. The nature of the dangers to which the particular dangerous goods being carried may give rise and the action to be taken in an emergency concerning them.'

Duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)

Course topics:

• Introductions
• General operating rules
• The main hazards of the dangerous goods classes
• Environmental protection
• Documentation and equipment
• Marking of vehicles
• Use of PPE
• Precautions to be taken during handling
• What to do in the event of an incident or accident in order to ensure personal safety and that of the public

Course duration: Up to 4 hours, though the course can be tailored to meet your company's or individual requirements.

Course fees: £200.00 + VAT and travel costs of 0.32p per mile