• DGSA COURSES AND EXAMS

DGSA COURSES AND EXAMS

Our DGSA training course is one of the most successful in the UK market - 80% of our DGSA candidates pass first time - way above the national average

DGSA Training and Exams
Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser / DGSA Course

Our DGSA course is one of the most successful in the UK - around 80% of our

candidates qualify at the first attempt - way above the national average 

 

The following sections provide background information on the

DGSA legislation and qualification, the content and format of the exams and our DGSA course

 

If you need any help please contact us

 

Details of our DGSA course dates and delegate fees are provided here

Need for a
DGSA

Subject to limited exceptions, organisations involved within Europe in the carriage or related packing, filling, loading or unloading...

Need for a DGSA

Subject to limited exceptions, organisations involved within Europe in the consignment, carriage or related packing, filling, loading or unloading of dangerous goods by road, rail or international inland waterway, must appoint a suitably qualified dangerous goods safety adviser(s) (DGSA).


In the UK, this requirement is given effect through The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG2009) (as amended) and '(Northern Ireland)' regulations of the same title made in 2010 (CDG2010) (as amended).


CDG2009 and CDG2010 (as amended) apply the DGSA provisions laid down in 1.8.3 of:


i) the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR)


ii) the Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) and


iii) the Regulations annexed to the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways (ADN).

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DGSA
qualification

The only person acceptable as a DGSA is the holder of a DGSA vocational training certificate (VTC) covering the relevant mode(s) of...

DGSA qualification

The only person acceptable as a DGSA is the holder of a DGSA vocational training certificate (VTC) covering the relevant mode(s) of transport (road / rail / inland waterways) and class(es) of dangerous goods.


In the UK, this certificate can only be gained by passing at least three exam papers, currently set on behalf of the Government (Department for Transport) by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).


The qualification is valid for 5 years.


The exams are academic in style and candidates need the skill ranges usually associated with middle management posts to have a good chance of examination success.


The DGSA Exam Papers and DGSA Exam Administration sections will give you some background on what's involved.


Please refer to DGSA Training for further details about our DGSA training courses.

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DGSA exam
papers

The DGSA exam syllabus in the UK is divided into three parts. All candidates must take the Core and All Classes papers and then choose at least one...

DGSA exam papers

The DGSA exam syllabus in the UK is divided into three parts. All candidates must take the Core and All Classes papers and then choose at least one paper from the Mode options - Road, Rail or Inland Waterways.


Most candidates are looking to qualify for road transport operations.


A candidate who is intending to be a DGSA for a company involved in more than one mode of transport must take all the relevant modal examinations.


A DGSA qualification is only awarded when a candidate has passed one paper from each of the three parts of the syllabus.


The examination papers for a DGSA Road qualification are as shown below:


CORE PAPER 09.30 - 10.45 (1 hour 15m)

Classification of danger
Identification of dangerous goods

Containment systems - packing and tank provisions
Marks, labels, placards
Documentation

Exemptions and concessions
Environmental issues
Training
Legal framework

Usually 10 compulsory questions

ALL CLASSES PAPER

11.15 - 13.00 (1 hour 45m)

Classification of danger

Containment systems - packing and tank provisions
Marking and labelling
Documentation
Limited quantities and Excepted quantities

Training
Legal framework

Usually 8 compulsory questions

ROAD TRANSPORT PAPER

14.00 - 15.45 (1 hour 45m)

Transport units
Marking and placarding
Documentation

Compliance thresholds
Filling, loading, stowage and segregation
Cleaning/decontamination

Operational procedures
Emergency response
Environmental protection
Training
Legal framework

1 case study and generally 4 or 5 short compulsory questions


The pass mark for each paper is 65%.


Questions are of an academic style and marks are generally awarded for identifying the precise legal source for any particular answer - it is not enough to know the answer, you must know why it is the answer.

 

There are no multiple choice questions.

 

The detailed areas of study and the methods for answering questions and providing appropriate references are the key issues for candidates preparing for the exams.

 

Some subjects appear in more than one exam paper; they are considered in varying detail and from different standpoints.

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DGSA exam
administration

In the UK, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) operates the DGSA exam system for the Department for Transport (DfT)...

DGSA exam administration

In the UK, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) operates the DGSA exam system for the Department for Transport (DfT).


Exams are held at independent centres located throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland.


The exams begin at the same time on the same day at each centre. All exam procedures are under the control of SQA staff at each centre.


At present, there are 4 exam dates each year.


Further information about the syllabus, exam application forms and details of exam centres and dates are provided on the SQA's website or can be obtained by contacting the Testing Services Section - DGSA, Scottish Qualifications Authority, The Optima Building, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8DQ (Telephone 0345 270 0123).

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DGSA
course

Our DGSA course is one of the most successful on the UK market. The course has been created and developed by dangerous goods...

DGSA training

Our DGSA course is one of the most successful on the UK market.


The course has been created and developed by dangerous goods specialists with many years experience in preparing candidates for external exams.


We have been running courses since 1999 and have a proven track record - around 80% of our DGSA exam candidates pass first time – way above the national average.


Our five day course provides both initial and revalidation candidates with detailed instruction on all aspects of the exam syllabus for road transport operations - all classes.


We can also accommodate rail candidates.


The programme incorporates practical exercise and revision sessions and there is a full mock examination and debrief on the final day.


Tuition is provided by our own experienced trainers with support from carefully selected industry experts.

 

For details of our public courses please go to dgsa courses.

 

Our DGSA training is also available on-site. This is probably the most convenient and cost effective option for companies with six or more employees to train.

 

Please contact us for further information.

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WHAT OUR DELEGATES SAY

"Excellent course - excellent instructor"

 

"Very enjoyable course - I never go anywhere else"

 

"Best course I've been on without a doubt"

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