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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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
- specialised training courses for specific dangerous goods
What your training must cover
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
- get a new training programme approved by DVSA
- get a variation of a pre-approved programme approved by DVSA
Download a template to get a variation of a pre-approved programme approved.
Running initial or refresher training courses
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)
Running specialised courses
You can also get approved to run specialised training courses so drivers can transport specific dangerous goods.
You can run these as separate courses to the training for drivers to get their ADR card. Each course will have its own exam at the end.
You can provide training on:
- tankers
- explosives
- radioactive materials
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 training materials from associations approved by DVSA.
If you buy training materials you’re responsible for:
- making sure that they meet the requirements of the syllabus
- working with the authorised association if you have any issues about the quality or standard of the training materials
You can buy authorised training materials from:
- MultiDG
- National Dangerous Goods Training Consortium
- National Logistics Training Consortium
- RTITB Limited
- The ADR Consortium
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
Any presentation notes need to include the syllabus learning objective numbers.
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 students in a classroom
- 15 students 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
- personal protective equipment
- a set of vehicle markings
You need to provide a computer or similar device for each driver taking an online exam. Each device will need:
- access to an internet connection with at least 10Mbps bandwidth
- to be able to run current, supported versions of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox
Your devices must have a suitable screen size. They must be at least:
- 10 inches for a tablet
- 13 inches for a laptop
- 21 inches for a standalone monitor
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.
Resources
You will also need printed or digital copies of each of these documents:
- Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road - volumes 1 and 2 (2023 edition)
- ADR syllabus
- The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations or Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Regulations (Northern Ireland)
- The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations
- The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations
- Dangerous goods emergency action code list
- approved derogations and transitional provisions
You can also buy:
- Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road - volumes 1 and 2 (2023 edition) - for courses until 31 December 2024
- Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road - volumes 1 and 2 (2025 edition) - for courses from 1 January 2025
You can buy them online or from a specialist bookshop.
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
Download a template that you can use to record details of your instructors and their qualifications and experience.
Read the guidance about the before you send your evidence.
Invigilators
You’ll need an invigilator for every exam you do. The invigilator will:
- carry out and record identity checks
- prepare the room for exams
- administer exams
- supervise exams
Read the guidance about .
How much it costs
You need to pay:
- an application fee when you apply
- 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 | £1,000 |
| Renew your approved training centre status every year | £500 |
Once you’re approved your approval lasts for one year.
How to apply
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Fill in the application form and send it with any documents that support your application.
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Pay the application fee.
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Upload any additional documents online if they’re requested by SQA.
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Attend an in-person pre-approval audit when requested
Download a self assessment checklist to prepare for a pre-approval audit.
Your application will be refused if you do not meet all of the requirements in the checklist.
Apply to get approved for the first time
To apply to get approved for the first time you need to send:
- an approval application form
- a completed
- other supporting documents
Read the guidance about first.
Send your application and supporting documents by email or post.
SQA
adr@sqa.org.uk
SQA
DGDT Department
The Optima Building
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow
G2 8DQ
Apply to run your courses remotely
You can apply to run your initial qualification or refresher courses remotely if you’re an approved training provider.
The Department for Transport (DfT) authorisation that allows you to do this is currently valid until 31 December 2024. However, DfT can withdraw or revoke it earlier.
If you apply to do this:
- you must only use approved ADR training programmes - you must send an application to vary a programme if you want to change anything to provide it remotely
- drivers must still take the ADR exams at your approved sites in the usual way - they cannot be taken remotely
You can provide any practical modules within the training programme by either:
- the instructor doing a demonstration
- showing a trustworthy video clip that covers the relevant syllabus points
You will have to tell DVSA what video clips you propose to use.
Find out more about running courses remotely.
Read the guidance about before you apply.
Send your application and supporting documents by email or post.
SQA
adr@sqa.org.uk
SQA
DGDT Department
The Optima Building
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow
G2 8DQ
Apply to renew your approval
To apply to renew your approval you need to send:
- a renewal application form
- a completed
Read the guidance about first.
Send your application and supporting documents by email or post.
SQA
adr@sqa.org.uk
SQA
DGDT Department
The Optima Building
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow
G2 8DQ
Apply to become an authorised association
You can apply to become an authorised association if you want to sell your authorised training materials to dangerous goods (ADR) driver training providers.
Read the guidance about first.
SQA
adr@sqa.org.uk
SQA
DGDT Department
The Optima Building
58 Robertson Street
Glasgow
G2 8DQ
Pay your application fee
After you have sent your application form, SQA will contact you to tell you how to pay DVSA.
You need to pay within 5 working days of receiving these details from SQA.
You can pay by:
- debit or credit card
- cheque made payable to ‘DVSA’
- postal order
- BACS
When your application has been approved
DVSA will contact you to let you know your application has been approved.
If you’re applying to approval for the first time, you’ll be given a centre number. You need this before you can start training.
SQA will email you a username and password to access the manage your ADR training centre and courses service.
You 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 before you’re approved and at least once within the first 2 years of your approval.
DVSA 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
- whether your premises is suitable to run training courses
- whether your equipment is suitable to run training courses
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.
Updates to this page
Published 24 May 2024Last updated 19 December 2024 + show all updates
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Added pre-approval audit checklist. Updated instructor guidance.
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Added the quality assurance template document that you need to send when you apply to get approved. Updated the section 'Create your own training materials' to say that you need to include syllabus learning objective numbers with your presentation notes.
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Updated links to buy resources. Updated guidance on details you need to provide for each trainer. Updated remote application guidance.
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Updated 'Apply to run your courses remotely' with new application form and guidance. Updated 'When your application has been approved' to show when you will receive a username and password to manage your ADR training.
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Updated forms and information about the application process, required equipment and resources. Added information about applying to provide courses remotely and applying to become an authorised association so you can sell your authorised training materials to other dangerous goods driver training providers.
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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.