ADR Driver Training

Introduction

Drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods must hold a training certificate issued by the competent authority. In Ireland, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is the competent authority appointed by Health and Safety Authority with respect to driver training and certification for dangerous goods Classes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9.

For drivers of vehicles carrying Class 1 dangerous goods (explosive substances and articles), the competent authority in Ireland is the Minister for Justice and Equality (www.gov.ie) and for Class 7 dangerous goods (radioactive material), the competent authority is the Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.ie).   

There are some exemptions regarding driver training but in general, all tank vehicle activity requires a driver certified for carriage in tanks and for the dangerous goods being carried. For packaged dangerous goods, there are thresholds under which a certified driver may not be necessary. For guidance on the various exemptions that may be available to you, see section 6 in our guide on the carriage of dangerous goods by road. You may also need to seek advice from a dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA) to establish whether formal certification is required for your business.

Training and Examinations

Before obtaining a driver training certificate, drivers must first complete a training course by an approved training provider. A list of approved training providers is available from CILT at www.cilt.ie.  The purpose of the training is to provide drivers with basic information to allow them to take necessary measures to minimise the effects of an incident involving dangerous goods. Driver training comprises Basic training and Specialised training.

Basic Training

Basic training encompasses core information relevant for all drivers carrying dangerous goods. It is required for drivers of small vans, box vans, curtain siders and freight containers carrying dangerous goods such as gas cylinders, industrial chemical products, certain retail chemicals, hazardous waste including clinical waste, flammable paints and batteries carried in packages such as boxes, jerricans, drums and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).

Specialised Training

Specialised training is required for drivers of tank vehicles such as rigid road tankers, tractor units hauling trailers with portable tanks or tank containers carrying dangerous goods. Drivers that wish to drive such vehicles must also complete Basic training as well as the Specialised ‘Tanks’ training.

Class 3 Basic and Specialised Training

Basic training and Specialised training may also be restricted to some Class 3 dangerous goods (fuels) which is a separate course. Drivers that complete this training and pass the corresponding examinations are restricted to driving tank vehicles carrying fuels such as diesel or gas oil (UN 1202), petrol (UN 1203), kerosene (UN 1223), petroleum distillates (UN 1268), aviation fuel (UN 1863) or ethanol mixtures (UN 3475). They cannot drive vehicles carrying other dangerous goods if they have only completed the Class 3 training and passed the corresponding examinations.

Refresher Training

Driver training certificates are valid for 5 years and therefore drivers who wish to continue driving dangerous goods vehicles must refresh their training and re-sit the appropriate examination(s). Refresher training and examination(s) should be completed in the year prior to expiry of the current certificate. The renewed certificate will be extended by 5 years from the expiry date of the old certificate. 

Duration of training courses
Training CoursesInitial course duration (days)Refresher course duration (days)
Basic31 to 1.5
Specialisation Tanker21
Basic Class 321
Specialisation Tanker Class 310.5

When drivers have completed their training, they must then pass an examination(s) on the particular requirements that apply to the transport of dangerous goods before being issued with a certificate.

Details on exam fees, dates, exam centre locations, the application process, the format of exams and related information is available from CILT at www.cilt.ie.

Examples of course durations and examinations for initial courses:
Driving Work ActivityTraining CourseTotal Training (days)Exams (hours) (multiple choice)
Packaged dangerous goodsBasic31
Road tankers/tank containersBasic and Tanks52
Road tankers class 3 (fuels)Basic Class 3 and Tanks Class 332

Certification

For the dangerous goods classes that come under the remit of the Health and Safety Authority, a driver that completes Basic training and passes the corresponding examination will be issued with a certificate to show that they can carry packaged dangerous goods from the following classes:

  • Class 2 (gases)
  • Class 3 (flammable liquids)
  • Class 4 (flammable solids)
  • Class 5 (oxidising substances)
  • Class 6 (toxic or infectious substances)
  • Class 8 (corrosives)
  • Class 9 (miscellaneous substances such as, lithium batteries, asbestos and environmentally hazardous substances).

A driver that completes Specialised tanker training can also drive the same dangerous goods classes in tank vehicles. 

For Class 3 Basic and Specialised training, a driver that has completed Basic training and Specialised training, and passed the corresponding examinations is allowed to carry the following UN numbers in tank vehicles:

  • Diesel or gas oil (UN 1202)
  • Petrol (UN 1203)
  • Kerosene (UN 1223)
  • Petroleum distillates (UN 1268)
  • Aviation fuel (UN 1863)
  • Ethanol mixtures (UN 3475).

The layout of the driver training certificate is set out in ADR and a sample of the certificate that is issued in Ireland is available on the UNECE website (see ADR Certificates).

Approved Training Providers

To become an approved training provider for drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods, contact CILT at www.cilt.ie for further information.