GovWire

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. Its up to you how much you charge for training - theres no maximum price.

What you need to do

1. Decide how youll provide training.

2. Check that you have everything you need to provide ADR training.

3. Apply to get approved.

4. Pay the application fee.

5. Start providing training once your application is approved.

Decide what training youll provide

You can provide training:

• in a classroom
• remotely using video call software

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 pre-approved training programme (PDF, 981 KB, 21 pages)
• 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 youre 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, youll 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 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 train

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