Dangerous Goods by Road
Structure of training
Training shall be given in the form of a basic training course and, when applicable, specialization
training courses. Basic training courses and specialization training courses may be given in the form
of comprehensive training courses, conducted integrally, on the same occasion and by the same
training body.
Subjects to be covered by the basic training course shall be, at least:
(a) General requirements governing the carriage of dangerous goods;
(b) Main types of hazard;
(c) Information on environmental protection in the control of the transfer of wastes;
(d) Preventive and safety measures appropriate to the various types of hazard;
(e) What to do after an accident (first aid, road safety, basic knowledge about the use of protective
equipment, instructions in writing, etc.);
(f) Marking, labelling, placarding and orange-coloured plate marking;
(g) What a driver should and should not do during the carriage of dangerous goods;
(h) Purpose and the method of operation of technical equipment on vehicles;
(i) Prohibitions on mixed loading in the same vehicle or container;
(j) Precautions to be taken during loading and unloading of dangerous goods;
(k) General information concerning civil liability;
(l) Information on multimodal transport operations;
(m) Handling and stowage of packages;
(n) Traffic restrictions in tunnels and instructions on behaviour in tunnels (prevention of incidents,
safety, action in the event of fire or other emergencies, etc.);
(o) Security awareness.
Subjects to be covered by the specialization training course for carriage in tanks shall be, at least:
(a) Behaviour of vehicles on the road, including movements of the load;
(b) Specific requirements of the vehicles;
(c) General theoretical knowledge of the various and different filling and discharge systems;
(d) Specific additional provisions applicable to the use of those vehicles (certificates of approval,
approval marking, placarding and orange-coloured plate marking, etc.).
Subjects to be covered by the specialization training course for the carriage of substances and articles
of Class 1 shall be, at least:
(a) Specific hazards related to explosive and pyrotechnical substances and articles;
(b) Specific requirements concerning mixed loading of substances and articles of Class 1.
Subjects to be covered by the specialization training course for the carriage of radioactive material of
Class 7 shall be, at least:
(a) Specific hazards related to ionizing radiation;
(b) Specific requirements concerning packing, handling, mixed loading and stowage of radioactive
material;
(c) Special measures to be taken in the event of an accident involving radioactive material.
Teaching units are intended to last 45 minutes.
Normally, not more than eight teaching units are permitted on each training day.
The individual practical exercises shall take place in connection with the theoretical training, and shall
at least cover first aid, fire-fighting and what to do in case of an incident or accident.
Initial training programme
The minimum duration of the theoretical element of each initial training course or part of the
comprehensive training course shall be as follows:
Basic training course 18 teaching units
Specialization training course for carriage in tanks 12 teaching units
Specialization training course for carriage of substances and articles
of Class 1
8 teaching units
Specialization training course for carriage of radioactive material
of Class 7
8 teaching units
For the basic training course and the specialization training course for carriage in tanks, additional
teaching units are required for practical exercises referred to in 8.2.2.3.8 which will vary depending on
the number of drivers under instruction.
The total duration of the comprehensive training course may be determined by the competent
authority, who shall maintain the duration of the basic training course and the specialization training
course for tanks, but may supplement it with shortened specialization training courses for Classes 1
and 7.
Refresher training programme
Refresher training undertaken at regular intervals serves the purpose of bringing the drivers'
knowledge up to date; it shall cover new technical, legal and substance-related developments.
The duration of the refresher training including individual practical exercises shall be of at least two
days for comprehensive training courses, or at least one half the duration allocated to the
corresponding initial basic or initial specialization training courses as specified in 8.2.2.4.1 for
individual training courses.