QCTO Certificate Proficient Road Transport Dangerous Goods Driver (NQF L3)

SP-241201 (CREDITS 8 NQF LVL 3)

This skills programme is made up of compulsory knowledge and practical modules. The course duration is structured to cover theory, practical application, and workplace‑related activities, ensuring learners gain both conceptual understanding and hands‑on competence. The programme is designed to ensure learners gain both theoretical understanding and practical competence aligned to industry requirements.

Course Overview

The purpose of this skills programme is to equip learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to safely classify, document, handle, load, transport, and offload dangerous goods in compliance with national and international legislation. Learners will apply correct procedures, safety protocols, and emergency response strategies to ensure safe and compliant road transport of dangerous goods, protecting themselves, the public, and the environment.

Course Includes:

• Knowledge-based modules with Theory and In-Class Assessments
• Once all theory has been completed, Learners will complete the Practical Module
• Final Examination (FISA) to be held on the last day
• Classes are subject to a maximum of 20 learners per facilitator

A qualified learner will be able to:

• Work with dangerous goods classification, documentation, packaging, and compliance requirements.
• Identify and verify UN numbers, Proper Shipping Names (PSN), hazard classes, packing groups, and compatibility.
• Conduct compliance checks on documentation, packaging, labelling, and placarding.
• Perform pre‑trip, in‑transit, and post‑trip inspections and general safety compliance.
• Handle, load, transport, and offload dangerous goods safely and legally.
• Apply emergency response procedures and complete incident reporting.
• Maintain vehicle hygiene, safety equipment, and required documentation.

The main benefits of this qualification for the learner:

• Equips learners with the essential skills to safely and legally transport dangerous goods across multiple industries, enhancing employability and professional credibility.
• Builds practical competence in classification, documentation, inspections, loading, offloading, and emergency response, while strengthening understanding of legislative requirements.
• Learners gain confidence in managing compliance, reducing risk, and contributing to safer transport operations, supporting career progression into supervisory, logistics, and compliance‑related roles.

Entry requirements:

• Certified ID copy
• Valid driving licence - Code C1 (previously Code 10) or EC/EC1 (previously Code 14)
• NQF Level 2 qualification
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be applied for access, exemption, or awarding credits.

Training Aids:

• Slide Show Presentation
• Teaching Aids – handouts (TREC Card, Compatibility Chart, DGD)
• Learner Guide (LG), Assessment Guides (AG), Facilitator Guide (FG)
• Learner Workbooks (LW), Portfolio of Evidence (POE), Summative Assessments (SA)

This Skills Programme is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge/Theory and Practical Skill Modules:

UNIT 1: KNOWLEDGE BASED MODULE

Dangerous Goods Theory

PURPOSE OF THE KNOWLEDGE MODULES

The focus of the learning in this knowledge module is to provide an overview and build an understanding of classification in working with dangerous goods and meeting national and international legislative requirements.

The module will enable learners to demonstrate an understanding of:

• Dangerous Goods Transport Classification
• Dangerous Goods Legislation and Regulations
• Dangerous Goods Responsibilities

Dangerous Goods Transport Classification:

• The 9 Classes of Dangerous Goods
• Packing groups and index systems
• UN numbers and Proper Shipping Names (PSN)
• Chemical properties and behaviour
• Designated space and required documents
• Transport hazard labels
• Dangerous Goods List (DGL)
• GHS classification, pictograms, and labelling principles

Dangerous Goods Legislation and Regulations:

• Introduction to Dangerous Goods
• Principles of Transport of Dangerous Goods TDG
• Introduction to the GHS
• Dangerous Goods Training requirements
• National DG and chemical related Regulations
• Dangerous Goods transport legislation
• Principles of driving related Legislation, regulations, codes and by-laws
• Principles of warehousing, loading and off-loading

Dangerous Goods Responsibilities and Duties:

• Compliance, suitability and cleanliness of vehicle
• Compatibility, separation and segregation
• Dangerous goods loading/stowage plans
• Carrying dangerous goods
• Health and safety, DGD and TREC CARD
• Load/unload cargo transport units
• Handle dangerous goods in transport
• Security requirements
• Risk Assessments and Emergency Response and Incident reports

UNIT 2: PRACTICAL SKILL MODULE

Handle, load & off load dangerous goods, incl documents, inspections etc.

PURPOSE OF THE PRACTICAL SKILL MODULES

The focus of the learning in these modules is to provide the learner an opportunity to practice how to complete required documentation, complete compliance checks, conduct pre-, in-transit and post-trip inspections and to practice handling, loading, and offloading dangerous goods within a simulated or working environment.

The learner will be required to:

• Complete documents for road transport of dangerous goods
• Check & implement compliance checks on documentation
• Conduct pre-, in-transit and post-trip inspections
• Handle, load and offload dangerous goods

Complete documents for road transport of dangerous goods:

• Confirm labelling and marking correspond with packaging
• Check that the placarding corresponds with DGD
• Check the correct designated space, position and legally required documents to be used

Check an& implement compliance checks on documentation in terms of legislative requirements:

• Conduct compliance checks on documentation, dangerous goods declaration, packaging, labelling and placarding
• Record and report non-compliance
• Check compliance of packaging of dangerous goods for specific transport mode

Conduct pre-, in-transit and post-trip inspections and general safety compliance:

• Conduct pre-, in-transit and post-trip inspections
• Conduct safety compliance checks and verify vehicle roadworthiness and load compliance
• Keep vehicle clean and in good hygienic condition

Handle, load and offload dangerous goods:

• Execute transport plans, following established routes and safety protocols
• Load and off load dangerous goods
• Execute en route load securement checks
• Implement emergency/incident response or emergency plan

Learners must demonstrate competence across all knowledge and practical modules.
Evidence of competence will be recorded in the Portfolio of Evidence (POE).
Upon successful completion, learners will be issued a Certificate of Attendance QCTO issues the official certificate for the Skills Programme.

All our Learners are provided with:
A Dangerous Goods Training Manual

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