Mon, February 12, 2024

ADR Card: Replacement, Costs, and Essential Information

If you plan to transport dangerous goods by road, which fall under the scope of the ADR regulations, you'll need an ADR card. HGV drivers, due to the substantial amount of Dangerous Goods (DG) they transport, typically require this certification. The ADR card, officially known as a Vocational Training Certificate (VTC), is valid for five years and must be carried by drivers when transporting DG. In this blog, we'll delve deeper into the significance and requirements of the ADR card.

Understanding the ADR Card

Defining the ADR card and its significance in hazardous goods transportation

ADR, a European agreement in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), was established to foster the safe transportation of dangerous goods (DG) by road within Europe. Before the introduction of ADR, there was limited or inadequate regulation regarding health and safety in this context. ADR aims to harmonize transport regulations across Europe, ensuring consistency and adherence to safety standards.

Given the inherently hazardous nature of dangerous goods, they pose various risks and potential consequences. Therefore, empowering drivers who hold ADR certification with the necessary knowledge and skills is crucial, particularly in dealing with emergencies and mitigating risks associated with transporting DG.

Overview of the information included on an ADR card

An ADR card, resembling a plastic driving license in size and shape, contains essential information about the holder and their authorization to transport dangerous goods (DG) by road. This information typically includes a photo of the holder, their name, the valid and expiry dates of the ADR card, date of birth (DOB), and a list of authorized modules and classes of DG they are permitted to transport.

As highlighted earlier, it is a legal requirement for drivers transporting DG on public highways to possess their ADR card. Failing to possess either an ADR license or to carry the ADR card while transporting DG is considered an offense. Therefore, drivers must ensure they have their ADR card with them at all times during transportation to comply with regulations and avoid legal penalties.

Lost ADR Card: What to Do

Steps to take if you've lost your ADR card

It is regretful that sometimes ADR cards are lost, stolen, or misplaced. In this instance, you MUST request a duplicate immediately as you can’t move DG until you have that replacement card.

To do this you must contact the training provider you underwent ADR training with. They will then contact the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and request a replacement,. There is a £10 replacement fee which is chargeable form SQA.

The examining body will send the card to the home address they have on your system

Reporting the loss and initiating the replacement process

If you do lose your card, you must wait until your ADR replacement comes through before you can transport regulated ADR loads again.

ADR Card Explained

An ADR card, license, or VTC (Vocational Training Certificate) is valid for 5 years and can be renewed when there are no more than 12 months left until expiry. On the rear of the ADR license, there are two columns: "In Tanks" and "Other than in Tanks." Each column represents the mode of transport for the dangerous goods (DG) that may be transported.

Under each column, the hazard classes authorized for transport in that mode are listed. The 9 classes of ADR categorize hazardous goods as follows:

Class 1: Explosives
Class 2: Gases
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Class 4: Flammable Solids
Class 5: Oxidizing Substances
Class 6: Toxic
Class 7: Radioactive
Class 8: Corrosives
Class 9: Miscellaneous substances

If you have a full ADR license, it will show all 9 classes (listed as numbers) in both the "Tanks" and "Other than Tanks" columns. This means the holder can transport ANY class of DG in any mode of transport (tanker, boxed, curtain sider type vehicle).

For example, a tanker delivery driver (handling heating oil, etc.) will have Class 3 listed in the "Tanks" column only, as that is the type of ADR ticket they need for their job. Someone delivering and collecting gas bottles will have an ADR card that shows Class 2 (gases) in the "Other than Tanks" column, as this is what they need for their occupation.

How Much Does ADR Cost?

Exploring the cost considerations for obtaining and renewing an ADR card

If you need to replace your existing ADR card, there is a fee of £10 payable to the SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority). Your training provider may also charge you an admin fee; however, they should not, as it costs the training company nothing.

Factors influencing the pricing of ADR certification

To obtain an ADR certification, you must attend training, which can be conducted in a classroom or online. However, EP Training does not offer online tuition for ADR training, as it is not as effective as classroom-based instruction. Attending a classroom session generally leads to better outcomes as exams need to be passed. The cost of your ADR training will vary depending on the type of training you require, the duration, and the fees charged by your provider. Typically, you should expect to pay between £650 and £800 for your ADR training, inclusive of tuition, VAT, and test fees. Additionally, the course should count as Driver CPC hours.

Tips for budgeting and finding value in ADR training

We advise you to look around on,ine and see which company in your area is offering the best service and value for money. EP Training has been providing DG training to the transport industry for over 30 years and has a reputation for excellence.

How to Get an ADR Card

Once you have selected your training company, you can proceed to make a booking and attend the sessions. Completing a full ADR course would typically take a maximum of 7 days. However, most HGV drivers opt for either the 3.5-day packaged goods course or the 5-day packaged goods and tanker course. The additional 2 days in the latter course are dedicated to Class 1 (Explosives) and Class 7 (Radioactive), which are niche classes and not commonly transported by drivers. These classes are usually offered on an ad hoc basis.

After attending the classroom training, you will need to take and pass exams. The exams are straightforward and not designed for drivers to fail. EP Training is one of the few companies offering online testing for ADR exams. This allows you to receive your results immediately, and EP Training even offers a free retest if needed. The pass mark for ADR exams is typically 70%. Once you have passed the exams, you will receive your ADR licence by post from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), which is valid for 5 years..

Can I Drive Without My ADR Card?

If you are transporting dangerous goods (DG) covered by ADR regulations, it is a legal requirement to carry your ADR certification with you. Failure to produce this certification to enforcement officials can result in penalties and possibly endorsements on your license. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that you have your ADR certification with you at all times while transporting dangerous goods.

How Long Is an ADR Card Valid For?

Your ADR license card, also known as a ticket, remains valid for 5 years. It can be renewed or refreshed provided that you have at least 12 months left on your current license, and no more than 6 weeks have elapsed since its expiration. Failure to meet these criteria will necessitate completing the initial course again.

It's important to note that the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) does not provide reminders for the expiry date of your ADR card. Therefore, both you and your employer should keep track of when the renewal is due to ensure compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an ADR card?

An ADR card is a certification that allows the holder to transport dangerous goods by road, specifically, those goods that fall within the scope of the ADR regulations.

Can I drive without my ADR card?

If you are transporting dangerous goods by road that fall under the ADR regulations, you must carry your ADR card with you. It is an offense to transport such goods without a valid ADR card.

How do I replace my lost ADR card license?

If you lose, misplace, or damage your ADR card, you should request a duplicate immediately through your ADR training provider. They will arrange for a replacement to be sent directly to your home address.

What is ADR Card Used For?

An ADR card is primarily used by HGV drivers who transport dangerous goods by road. It serves as certification that the holder is authorized to transport such goods in compliance with ADR regulations.

Conclusion

Obtaining an ADR certification can lead to higher remuneration due to the increased skill level required for transporting dangerous goods by road. While there is an initial investment to gain your ADR, the return on investment is typically realized through higher wages once employed in DG transport roles. However, before you can earn, you must learn, and choosing the right training provider is crucial. A quality ADR training course can provide invaluable knowledge and skills necessary for the safe transport of dangerous goods. We hope this post has provided you with a clearer understanding of the ADR certification, including how to obtain it and its duration of validity.

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