Get approved to provide dangerous goods (ADR) driver training
How to set up initial and refresher training courses for ADR drivers including what you need, how much it costs and how to apply.
You must get approved by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to provide:
- initial training and exams for drivers to get their ADR card
- refresher training and exams for drivers to stay qualified as a dangerous goods driver
Once you have been approved you can charge for training courses. It’s up to you how much you charge for training - there’s no maximum price.
What you need to do
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Decide how you’ll provide training.
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Check that you have everything you need to provide ADR training.
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Apply to get approved.
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Pay the application fee.
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Upload any documents that support your application.
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Start providing training once your application is approved.
Decide what training you’ll provide
You can provide training:
- in a classroom
- remotely using video call software
If you decide to provide training remotely, you must still be able to carry out exams at your premises.
You must provide initial training. You can also apply to run refresher training.
What your training must cover
Training for drivers to get their ADR card must cover:
- the core module - this includes things like rules for transporting and disposal of dangerous goods, load security, driver responsibilities and protective equipment
- a module that covers at least one dangerous goods class
- the packages module or tankers module (you can provide both)
Any course you offer must follow a training programme that has been approved by DVSA. The training programme covers:
- what content is included in a course
- how long training should last
- how the training day is structured, including breaks
You can:
- follow a pre-approved programme (PDF, 936KB)
- get a new training programme approved by DVSA
Training materials
You can either:
- buy training materials from an authorised association
- create your own training materials
Buy training materials from an authorised association
You can buy authorised training materials from:
- MultiDG
- National Dangerous Goods Training Consortium
- National Logistics Training Consortium
- RTITB Limited
- The ADR Consortium
If you buy training materials, you’re responsible for:
- making sure that they meet the requirements of the syllabus
- working with the supplier if you have any issues about the quality or standard of the training materials
Create your own training materials
If you create your own training materials, you’ll need to get them approved when you apply. They must follow the ADR syllabus.
When you apply, you need to send:
- instructor notes
- presentations
- any videos you will use
- copies of course handouts
- the training programme your course will follow
- explanations of how you will carry out practical exercises
What you need
When you apply, you need to show that you have suitable:
- premises
- equipment
- staff
- liability insurance
- systems to monitor the quality of your training
Premises
If you want to provide training in a classroom you need:
- a suitable classroom - you should have a minimum classroom size of 10 square metres, plus 2 square metres for each candidate
- space for any demonstrations or exercises
- space for an external verifier or invigilator to sit at their own desk and chair
- a room where you can carry out online exams (this can be the same room as your classroom)
- an internet connection
Class sizes
You can only provide training for a maximum of:
- 20 candidates in a classroom
- 15 candidates in a remote course
If you want to train larger groups than this, you will need to explain how you will do this without it affecting the quality of your training.
Equipment
You need:
- a projector or screen
- something the instructor can draw on such as a white board or flip chart
- firefighting equipment
- first aid equipment
You need to provide a computer or similar device for each driver taking an online exam. Each device will need:
- at least 2.33 GHz CPU processor
- at least 1GB RAM
- a screen resolution of 1280x768
- a graphics card with at least 64MB memory
- a two-button mouse and keyboard
- access to an internet connection with at least 512Kbps bandwidth
- to be able to run current, supported versions of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox
Fire equipment
To carry out a practical fire prevention exercise you need either:
- a fire simulator
- a digital fire training system
- a fire tray
You also need appropriate fire extinguishers.
First aid equipment
To conduct the first aid practical exercise you need:
- resuscitation equipment such as a CPR training manikin
- sterilisation facilities for the resuscitation equipment
- a demonstration eye rinsing liquid
If your course is delivered remotely, the practical exercises will be replaced with discussions and demonstrations.
Staff
Instructors
Your instructors must be qualified to provide ADR training.
They must have a:
- valid ADR driver card
- recognised qualification as a trainer of adults (for example, Level 3 or above in Training and Development or certificate of teaching in the lifelong learning sector) or experience as a trainer
- dangerous goods safety advisor certificate or relevant work experience in the transport of dangerous goods
- valid first aid at work certificate
- fire training qualification or experience training adults in firefighting
Examination secretary
You’ll need an examination secretary. The examination secretary will:
- administer exams
- supervise invigilators
Invigilators
You’ll need an invigilator for every exam you do. The invigilator will:
- prepare the room for exams
- carry out and record identity checks
- supervise exams
How much it costs
You need to pay:
- an application fee when you apply
- an approval fee once your application has been approved
- a yearly renewal fee to stay approved
Your application fee may not be refunded if your application is unsuccessful.
| Type of fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apply to get approved | £500 |
| Approve your training centre once your application has been approved | £500 |
| Renew your approved training centre status every year | £500 |
Apply to get approved
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Contact the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to get an application form.
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Fill in the application form and send it to SQA.
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Pay the application fee.
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Upload any documents that support your application.
Get an application form
Contact SQA to get an application form and details on how to apply.
SQA ADR team
adr@sqa.org.uk
Telephone: 0345 270 0123
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Pay your application fee
After you have sent your application form to SQA, DVSA will send you an invoice for the application fee within 1 calendar month. You’ll have 30 days to pay the fee.
You can pay by:
- cheque made payable to ‘DVSA’
- postal order
- BACS
Upload your supporting documents
After you have paid the application fee, SQA will email you a username and password to access the manage your ADR training centre and courses service. You must upload any supporting documents to this service to complete your application.
When your application has been approved
DVSA will contact you to let you know your application has been approved. You’ll need to pay the approval fee before you can start training.
DVSA will send you an invoice for the approval fee within 1 calendar month. You’ll have 30 days to pay the fee.
Once you have paid, SQA will send you a centre number and you can start providing training.
You’ll have to renew your approval every year.
Being monitored when you’re approved
Your centre, courses and exams will be audited when you’re approved. This is to make sure courses are being run correctly.
Checking your centre
An external verifier will visit your centre at least once within the first 2 years of your approval.
SQA will contact you to arrange a visit.
The external verifier will look at:
- centre documents like training delivery and examination records
- evidence of compliance for every site used
- information held on instructors’ qualifications and fields of expertise
- resources used to deliver the training courses:
- premises
- equipment
- IT
Checking your courses
Your training can be observed without you being given notice. This is to make sure courses are being run correctly.
The external verifiers will look at:
- your procedures for checking the identity of candidates
- your attendance registers
- whether the course is being delivered in line with the approved programme
- the course duration
- the quality and delivery of your training
Checking your exams
Exams can be observed without you being given notice. This is to make sure exams are being run correctly.
The external verifiers will mainly look at:
- your procedures for checking the identity of candidates
- your attendance registers
- the room layout
- IT and devices
- how the invigilator is managing exam conditions
Having your approval suspended or withdrawn
Your approval can be suspended or withdrawn if you do not run your centre and courses within your approval conditions.
Appeal against suspension or withdrawal of your approval
You can appeal to SQA and DVSA within 28 days if you’re told that your centre or course approval might be suspended or withdrawn.
Your appeal will be taken into account and you’ll be told the decision.
You can appeal to the Department of Transport or the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) if you disagree with the decision.
Last updated 4 June 2024 + show all updates
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Added MultiDG to the list of authorised associations.
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Added The ADR Consortium to the list of authorised associations.
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First published.