What is ADR Training?

Under international regulations, hauliers must be familiar with the laws on transporting dangerous goods by road, as well as the procedures involved in classifying these goods.

With this in mind, ADR Training is an essential requirement for any driver that is carrying dangerous goods.

All drivers regardless of their previous driving experience must be in possession of an ADR Vocational Training Certificate. An ADR certificate is valid for 5 years, and it’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure that this is renewed on time.

We’ve created a helpful guide outlining everything that you need to know about ADR and ADR training. 

What is ADR?

Introduced in 1968, ADR is the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. Most European countries are signed up to ADR, with each country implementing specific safety measures through its own national legislation. ADR is strictly policed.

ADR ensures that any goods deemed to be dangerous can freely cross international borders by road, providing that the goods, vehicles and drivers comply with the regulations.

ADR regulations are updated every 2 years in response to advances in technology.

Under ADR, when transporting dangerous goods internationally, drivers must ensure that their loads are accompanied by an official transport document, which includes the full classification of all substances being carried and how they should be packaged.

You must also ensure that you carry the following documents:

– transport documents containing prescribed information for each dangerous substance, material or article being carried

– emergency instructions in writing

ADR Certification

ADR certification is legally required for carrying anything that is deemed to be dangerous goods and drivers of all vehicles carrying dangerous goods must have an ADR training certificate.

There are, however, exemptions for drivers carrying the following:

– Small loads below the threshold limits

– Dangerous goods packed in limited quantities

– Dangerous goods packed in excepted quantities

If you are transporting certain types of dangerous waste, you must also register as a waste carrier.

ADR Training Courses

Any driver carrying dangerous goods must attend an approved basic training course, which will provide them with the information and tools they need to:

– Be aware of the hazards involved in the carriage of dangerous goods

– Take steps to reduce the likelihood of incidents occurring

– Take the necessary measures to ensure their own safety as well as that of the public and the environment, by limiting the effects of any incident that does occur

– Obtain practical experience of the actions they will need to take

ADR Training Courses are designed to ensure that all drivers working in the transportation industry have the knowledge, skills and expertise they need to ship dangerous goods safely and efficiently, from A to B.

ADR is broken down into 9 Classes, and each Class represents different products, eg, class 3 is for fuel. You would then decide which route you want to take, the most common route is 7 classes excluding 1 & 7.

However, before you get started, you will have to complete and pass the Core Class. Once completed, you will then need to select how you are going to carry the hazardous goods, whether that be by Tank, a Package or both.

For further information about ADR and ADR training, please do not hesitate to contact us or visit our ADR Training Courses Page.