Guidance

Dangerous goods safety advisers

Updated 12 June 2025

The role of a DGSA

Dangerous goods safety advisers (DGSAs) help prevent the risks involved in the carriage of dangerous goods. This includes risks to people, property and the environment.   

Businesses that transport dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterways on a regular basis must have a DGSA to:    

• consign dangerous goods    
• transport dangerous goods across the UK   
• pack or fill dangerous goods into appropriate packaging   
• load or unload dangerous goods cargo   

Other DGSA responsibilities include:  

• reporting incidents and accidents involving dangerous goods to the Department for Transport 
• monitoring compliance with the legal requirements governing the carriage of dangerous goods  
• providing advice on how to transport dangerous goods safely  
• investigating any accidents or infringements of regulations and keeping records of them through reports 
• monitoring the provision of training and advice to other staff  
• completing annual audit reports on the performance of their business or organisation

Reporting a dangerous goods incident

DGSAs are responsible for reporting incidents involving dangerous goods. Use these forms to report an incident involving the carriage of dangerous goods:

• report a dangerous goods incident: rail

• report a dangerous goods incident: road

• report an dangerous goods incident: aviation

• MGN 242 (M+F) Format and procedures for reporting safety incidents: maritime

• notify the ONR about an incident involving Class 7 (nuclear) dangerous goods

Annual audit reports

Organisations involved in the transport of dangerous goods need to complete an annual audit of activities involving dangerous goods. The DGSA is responsible for creating the audit report.

ADR does not provide an audit template report, but all the information is contained in ADR Chapter 1.8.3.3. 

Members of the British Association of Dangerous Goods Professionals (BADGP) can use their audit report template.

For Class 7 dangerous goods (radioactive material), DGSAs can use the report template included in the Office for Nuclear Regulation DGSA guidance.

Who needs a DGSA? 

You must have a dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA) if you transport dangerous goods unless: 

• you only do it occasionally, for example breakdown recovery vehicles 

• they’re transported in ‘limited quantities’ or ‘small loads’

• you’re moving them a very short distance by road, for example between buildings on an industrial estate 

• you’re using private vehicles 

You should employ a DGSA if you’re transporting goods internationally. 

Read the section of this guidance on DGSA exemptions for more information about when you might not need a DGSA.

DGSA video 

In 2022 the rules changed so that consignors of dangerous goods needed to employ a DGSA. This video contains information about the rule change plus information about: 

• who needs a DGSA 
• the role of DGSAs  
• training and exams  
• legislation 

Some of the information in the video is out of date. Refer to this guidance for the latest information.

Training and certification 

To become a DGSA, you must pass written examinations. You can find information on the exams, including costs, dates, advice for candidates and how to book, in the guide on how to book your DGSA exam.

There is no legal requirement to undertake formal training to become a DGSA. Training courses are run by independent providers and trade associations, with course lengths typically varying between 2 to 5 days. These courses do not need to be approved by DfT.  

Once you have qualified, you will be issued with a DGSA certificate that specifies the: 

• mode(s) of transport (road, rail, inland waterway) your qualification covers
• classes of dangerous goods you are qualified to monitor and advise on  

All DGSA certificates are valid for 5 years and are mutually recognised by all contracting parties – countries that are signatories to the regulations concerning the RID and ADR. 

If you are a DGSA advising Class 7 dangerous goods (radioactive material) transport duty holders, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) recognises the additional Class 7 training course based on the syllabi provided by the Radioactive Material Transport Users Committee (RAMTUC) as relevant good practice.

Get added to the DGSA list

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publishes a list of qualified dangerous goods safety advisers.

See this guidance for the list of DGSAs and a link to apply to join the list.

To apply you will need your:

• candidate number
• certificate expiry date

Renewing DGSA certificates  

DGSA certificates must be renewed every 5 years. You must pass the relevant mandatory DGSA examinations within the final year of your certificate’s validity.

The new certificate will be valid for 5 years from the date of expiry of the previous certificate.

We recommend that you do not leave renewing your certificate until the last minute, as extensions to expired certificates will not be granted.   

Replace a lost, stolen or damaged DGSA certificate

Apply online to replace your DGSA certificate if it is lost, damaged or stolen.

It costs £30 to apply to get a replacement certificate, which you can pay by debit or credit card after you have applied.

You should get your replacement certificate within 10 working days of payment.

Change the name on your DGSA certificate

Apply online to change the name on your DGSA certificate.

You do not have to pay a fee.

You must have a scan or photo of a document that shows what your new name is. You can use a:

• passport
• driving licence
• deed poll certificate
• marriage certificate

You should get your new certificate within 10 working days.

Employer responsibilities

If your organisation transports dangerous goods, you must:

• have a dangerous goods safety adviser - see the section on who needs a DGSA for exceptions
• keep staff training records for a minimum of 6 years from the date of training
• make the records available on request to the employee or to the Department for Transport

If an employee leaves your employment, you must keep their training records for a further 2 years from the date the employment ended, in case of any subsequent issues arising. 

These requirements are set out in chapters 1.3.3 of the:

• Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, ADR
• RID – OTIF – Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail

Employer safety legislation

UK law places a number of duties on employers regarding safety at work.

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 places a duty on employers to ensure the health and safety of:

• their own employees
• anyone else who could be affected by their work activities, including members of the public

The Provision & Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 require employers to provide suitable training and instructions to workers who use equipment at work.

Dangerous goods training by a qualified DGSA is an effective means of demonstrating compliance with this requirement.

DGSA exemptions 

You may be exempt from appointing a DGSA if: 

• your organisation transports dangerous goods in quantities per transport unit that are smaller than those referred to in:

  • ADR chapter  1.1.3.6
  • ADR chapter  1.7.1.4
  • ADR chapter  3.3
  • ADR chapter  3.4
  • ADR chapter  3.5
• your main or secondary activities are not the carriage or related loading or unloading of dangerous goods 
• the carriage operation complies with the conditions specified in ADR chapter 1.1.3 
• the carriage operation complies with the conditions specified in the Road Derogation 11 (RO-bi-UK-1), the crossing of public roads, as set out in the CDG derogations – this exemption only applies to domestic carriage

Emergency action code list

Emergency action codes tell the emergency services what sort of dangerous goods a vehicle is carrying, so they can deal safely with any issues.

Download a copy of dangerous goods emergency action code list.