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Dangerous goods safety adviser exams

Dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA) exam topics, how to answer exam questions, and sample exam papers.

Updates to this page

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published:
7 May 2025
Last updated:
2 June 2026
Show all updates

  1. Updated DGSA exam syllabus with the following changes. For Core and All classes exams: - the specific number of questions has been removed from the exam description. - the Legal framework section now requires candidates to understand the duties of all personnel involved in the carriage of dangerous goods, in addition to the role and responsibilities of a DGSA - the Training section now specifies that training must be appropriate to the duties of the personnel concerned For the All classes exam: - the topic groups have been restructured - classification and identification of dangerous goods are now combined in Group 1 - compliance thresholds has been removed from Group 2 - the Training section now refers to those who load or unload dangerous goods, removing the previous reference to those who park vehicles For the Road exam: - topic groups have been restructured - under Compliance thresholds, "vehicle equipment" has been replaced with "fire-fighting and other safety equipment" - under Transport equipment, candidates must now understand load-specific safety requirements when selecting equipment For the Inland waterways exam, Tank vessels has been added to Group 4 of the exam topic table.

  2. Updated dangerous goods safety adviser exam syllabus with more detail on the exam topics.

  3. Updated 'Road: sample exam paper'

  4. First published.

Documents

Dangerous goods safety adviser exam syllabus

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How to answer dangerous goods safety adviser exam questions

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All classes: sample exam paper

PDF, 177 KB, 9 pages

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Core: sample exam paper

PDF, 208 KB, 11 pages

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Road: sample exam paper

PDF, 260 KB, 12 pages

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Details

To qualify you need to pass dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA) exams on:

  • the core module
  • all dangerous goods classes
  • either road, rail or inland waterways

You have to pass these exams:

  • within 12 months of taking your first exam to qualify
  • every 5 years to stay qualified

The exam questions will cover the topics in the dangerous goods safety adviser exam syllabus.

There’s different guidance on how to book a dangerous goods safety adviser exam.

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