Guidance
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.
Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-approved-to-provide-dangerous-goods-adr-driver-training
Change description : 2025-10-06 12:05:00: Added information about running remote courses after 1 January 2026. [Guidance and regulation]
Showing diff : 2025-09-11 12:47:27.941745590 +00:00..2025-10-06 11:05:56.312091667 +00:00
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:
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.
Decide how you’ll provide training.
Check that you have everything you need to provide ADR training.
Apply to get approved
Pay the application fee.
Start providing training once your application is approved.
You can provide training:
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:
Any course you offer must follow a training programme that has been approved by DVSA. The training programme covers:
You can:
Download a template to get a variation of a pre-approved programme approved.
Training for drivers to get their ADR card must cover:
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:
You can either:
The fee for initial and annual approval will be cheaper if you use accredited training materials from an authorised association.
You can buy accredited training materials from associations approved by DVSA.
If you buy training materials you’re responsible for:
You can buy authorised training materials from:
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:
Any presentation notes need to include the syllabus learning objective numbers.
There’s a separate process if you want to get your training materials accredited so that you can sell them to other training providers.
When you apply, you need to show that you have suitable:
If you want to provide training in a classroom you need:
You can only provide training for a maximum of:
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.
You need:
You need to provide a computer or similar device for each driver taking an online exam. Each device needs:
Your devices must have a suitable screen size. They must be at least:
To carry out a practical fire prevention exercise you need either:
You also need appropriate fire extinguishers.
To conduct the first aid practical exercise you need:
If your course is delivered remotely, the practical exercises willcan be replaced with discussions and demonstrations.demonstrations until 31 December 2025. From 1 January 2026 you must do the practical exercises in person.
You will also need printed or digital copies of each of these documents:
You can also buy Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road - volumes 1 and 2 (2025 edition).
You can buy them online or from a specialist bookshop.
Your instructors must be qualified to provide ADR training.
They must have a:
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.
You’ll need an invigilator for every exam you do. The invigilator will:
Read the guidance about .
You need to pay:
Your application fee may not be refunded if your application is unsuccessful.
| Type of fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apply to get approved using accredited training materials from an authorised association | £800 |
| Apply to get approved using your own training materials | £1000 |
Once you’re approved your approval lasts for one year.
| Type of fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Renew your approved training centre status every year using accredited training materials from an authorised association | £400 |
| Renew your approved training centre status every year using your own training materials | £500 |
| Type of fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apply to become an authorised association and get your training materials accredited | £1000 |
| Renew your training materials accreditation every 2 years | £800 |
Fill in the application form and send it with any documents that support your application.
Pay the application fee.
Upload any additional documents online if they’re requested by SQA.
Attend an in-person pre-approval audit when requested.
Download a to prepare for a pre-approval audit.
Your application will be refused if you do not meet all of the requirements in the checklist.
To apply to get approved for the first time you need to send:
Read the guidance about and 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
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 2025. However, DfT can withdraw or revoke it earlier.
If you apply to do this:
You can provide any practical modules within the training programme by either:
You will have to tell DVSA what video clips you propose to use.
From 1 January 2026, you must do the practical exercises in person.
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
To apply to renew your approval you need to send:
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
You can apply to become an authorised association if you want to sell your training materials to dangerous goods (ADR) driver training providers.
You need to get your training materials accredited by DVSA when you apply.
Once you’ve been approved you need to renew your authorised association approval either:
The next update to the ADR rules will be in December 2026.
To apply to get approved as an authorised association for the first time you need to send:
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
To apply to renew your authorised association approval you need to send:
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
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:
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.
DVSA will tell you why your application was refused. If you disagree with this decision you can make an appeal to the Department for Transport (DfT) within 28 days.
Email your appeal to DfT. Your appeal needs to include:
DfT dangerous goods team
dangerousgoods@dft.gov.uk
Your centre, courses and exams will be audited when you’re approved. This is to make sure courses are being run correctly.
An auditor 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 auditor will look at:
Download a to prepare for an audit.
Your training can be observed without you being given notice. This is to make sure courses are being run correctly.
The auditors will look at:
Exams can be observed without you being given notice. This is to make sure exams are being run correctly.
The auditors will mainly look at:
Your approval can be suspended or withdrawn if you do not run your centre and courses within your approval conditions.
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.
Added information about running remote courses after 1 January 2026.
Updated the guidance on the details you need to provide for each instructor.
Updated form to apply to get approved as an authorised association. Added form to apply to renew your approval as an authorised association.
Updated quality assurance template and guidance.
Updated forms for Apply to get approved as an authorised association, Application for approval to provide dangerous goods (ADR) driver training, and Apply to renew your approval to provide ADR driver training.
Added self-assessment checklist. Updated pre-approval audit checklist.
Updated details you need to provide for each trainer.
Added information about appealing a decision.
Updated quality assurance template.
Updated link to latest version of Dangerous Goods Emergency Action Code List 2025.
Updated application forms: Apply to get approved as an authorised association, Apply to renew your approval to provide ADR driver training, Application for approval to run dangerous goods driver training remotely, How to fill in the remote delivery application form. Updated fees to get approved and renew your approval.
Updated application form for approval to run dangerous goods driver training remotely.
Added pre-approval audit checklist. Updated instructor guidance.
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.
Updated links to buy resources. Updated guidance on details you need to provide for each trainer. Updated remote application guidance.
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.
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.
Added MultiDG to the list of authorised associations.
Added The ADR Consortium to the list of authorised associations.
First published.
2025-10-14 14:26
Updated provider audit checklist.
2025-10-06 12:05
Added information about running remote courses after 1 January 2026.
2025-09-11 13:47
Updated the guidance on the details you need to provide for each instructor.
2025-07-17 15:39
Updated form to apply to get approved as an authorised association. Added form to apply to renew your approval as an authorised association.
2025-06-26 15:44
Updated quality assurance template and guidance.
2025-06-18 15:29
Updated forms for Apply to get approved as an authorised association, Application for approval to provide dangerous goods (ADR) driver training, and Apply to renew your approval to provide ADR driver training.
2025-06-12 16:03
Added self-assessment checklist. Updated pre-approval audit checklist.
2025-05-29 16:15
Updated details you need to provide for each trainer.
2025-05-19 14:39
Added information about appealing a decision.
2025-04-16 16:46
Updated quality assurance template.
2025-04-10 16:33
Updated link to latest version of Dangerous Goods Emergency Action Code List 2025.
2025-03-01 00:00
Updated application forms: Apply to get approved as an authorised association, Apply to renew your approval to provide ADR driver training, Application for approval to run dangerous goods driver training remotely, How to fill in the remote delivery application form.Updated fees to get approved and renew your approval.
2025-01-09 11:22
Updated application form for approval to run dangerous goods driver training remotely.
2024-12-19 15:37
Added pre-approval audit checklist.Updated instructor guidance.
2024-10-31 11:14
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.
2024-10-10 14:33
Updated links to buy resources.Updated guidance on details you need to provide for each trainer.Updated remote application guidance.
2024-09-24 13:04
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.
2024-09-02 00:01
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.
2024-06-04 15:17
Added MultiDG to the list of authorised associations.
2024-06-03 10:25
Added The ADR Consortium to the list of authorised associations.
2024-05-24 10:44
First published.