Dangerous goods driver training
Under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009), all drivers and vehicle attendants – in fact, all personnel involved in the carriage of dangerous goods – require training and instruction.
Additionally, certain drivers of road vehicles carrying dangerous goods may need to hold a vocational training certificate (VTC, or “ADR certificate”). In Great Britain, the VTC is obtained after a driver has attended a training course approved by the DfT as competent authority, and successfully completed an examination set and marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
Drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods who may fall within this requirement are:
- a road tanker containing any dangerous goods
- a vehicle carrying a tank container loaded with any dangerous goods
- a vehicle carrying dangerous goods in bulk
- a vehicle carrying radioactive material
- a vehicle carrying dangerous goods in packages, if these are over certain thresholds (according to the Transport Category coding) for those particular goods*
A VTC is required for all drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods regardless of vehicle’s weight including drivers carrying loads of Class 1 dangerous goods (explosives) over the ADR 1.1.3.6 Transport Category threshold. For loads under this amount it is still a requirement that the driver (and anyone else involved with the transport operation) received some kind of suitable training.
There are other exceptions to the requirement for driver training, by virtue of disapplications from the Regulations as listed in CDG 2009 Regulation 4.
A VTC issued by the competent authority of a State contracting to ADR is valid throughout contracting States.
Getting and using a VTC
The SQA maintains the list of current training providers. To obtain a VTC a driver has to attend an approved training course and pass an approved examination appropriate to the class or classes of goods which are to be carried on the vehicle. Drivers must keep their VTCs with them at all times when carrying dangerous goods, and employers are strongly recommended to keep a copy of the VTCs held by drivers and attendants in case the VTC is lost and a replacement has to be obtained.
Replacing a VTC
An application form should be sought from the appropriate address:
| Holders of NI drivers’ licences ONLY | Holders of other types of drivers’ licences * |
|---|---|
| Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland County Hall Castlerock Road COLERAINE BT51 3HS County Londonderry Tel: 028 70341469 |
Scottish QualifSications Authority Tel: 0845 213 5278 Fax: 0845 213 5000 adr@sqa.org.uk |
| * holders of other types of drivers’ licence should not contact the DVLA. | |
The completed form should be returned with the appropriate fee and a new certificate will be issued.
Changing Address
If a VTC holder’s address changes, they must notify DVLA or DVL (NI), as appropriate, in order that their driving licence record can be updated, and a replacement VTC issued (reissue is free of charge). Failure to comply with the requirement to notify DVLA or DVL (NI) can lead to prosecution.
| DVLA | DVL (NI) |
|---|---|
| Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Telephone: 0870 240 0009 [08:00 - 20:30 Mon - Fri; 08:00 - 17.30 Sat] Fax: 0870 850 1285 Drivers Customer Services (DCS) |
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland County Hall Castlerock Road COLERAINE BT51 3HS County Londonderry Tel: 028 70341469 |
Renewing a VTC
A VTC must be renewed every five years. This is done by the holder taking another approved training course and examination – both course and examination can be taken in the last year of the VTC’s validity. The new VTC will be valid for 5 years from the date of expiry of the previous certificate. Renewal should not be left until the last minute – training providers and the SQA need six weeks to be certain to process renewal.
Becoming an Approved Training Provider
Undertakings wishing to become approved training providers should request an application form from the SQA. The Manual of Practice (SQA Dangerous Goods Driver Training Manual) will need to be read carefully and understood before an application is made. An initial application fee is payable with the application, and a further fee is payable on approval. The approval will be for 12 months when a further annual fee is payable. The SQA can provide details of fees.
The SQA will consider the application and make a recommendation to DfT who will then issue a formal letter of approval. The arrangements are the same in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, except that in Northern Ireland the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) will make the formal decision and issue the approval letter.
Under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (
