QCTO Certificate Road Transport Dangerous Goods Driver (NQF L3)

SP-250306 (CREDITS 4 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 essential knowledge and practical skills required to safely handle, load, transport, and offload dangerous goods in compliance with national and international legislation. Learners will apply the latest safety protocols, handling techniques, 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:

• Handle, load, transport, and offload dangerous goods in accordance with legislative requirements.
• Conduct compliance checks on documentation, packaging, labelling, and placarding.
• Perform pre‑trip, in‑transit, and post‑trip inspections.
• Execute transport plans and follow established routes and safety protocols.
• Implement emergency and incident response procedures.
• Maintain vehicle cleanliness and hygiene standards.

The main benefits of this qualification for the learner:

• Equips learners with the essential skills to safely and legally transport dangerous goods across various industries, enhancing employability and professional credibility.
• Provides practical competence in handling, loading, offloading, and inspecting dangerous goods, while strengthening understanding of legislative requirements and emergency response procedures.
• 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)
• Completion of the Skills Programme: Proficient Road Transport Dangerous Goods Driver (NQF 3)
• 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:

• Principles and concepts of the 9 classes of dangerous goods
• Identification, UN numbers, and Proper Shipping Names (PSN)
• Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) and TRECARD
• Designated space and required documents
• Transport hazard labels
• GHS classification, pictograms, and labelling principles
• Compatibility and dangers of non‑compliance

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
• Driving‑related legislation, regulations, codes, and by‑laws
• Warehousing, loading, and off‑loading principles

Dangerous Goods Responsibilities and Duties:

• Vehicle suitability, compliance, and cleanliness
• Compatibility, separation, and segregation
• Loading and stowage plans
• Carrying dangerous goods
• Health and safety requirements
• DGD and TRECARD
• Handling dangerous goods in transport
• Security requirements
• Risk assessments, emergency response, and incident reporting

UNIT 2: PRACTICAL SKILL MODULE

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

PURPOSE OF THE PRACTICAL SKILL MODULES

The purpose of the practical skills module is to equip learners with the hands‑on ability to safely handle, load, transport, and offload dangerous goods in real or simulated operational environments. Learners will practise conducting inspections, verifying documentation, securing loads, and responding appropriately to incidents or emergencies. This module ensures that learners can confidently apply legislative requirements and organisational procedures during day‑to‑day transport operations.

The learner will be required to:

• Conduct compliance checks
• Record and report non-compliance
• Conduct pre-, in-transit and post-trip inspections
• Execute transport operations
• Handle, load and offload dangerous goods

Conduct compliance checks:

• Verify packaging, labelling, and placarding
• Check compatibility of mixed or multi‑load freight
• Confirm validity and accuracy of documentation

Record and report non-compliance:

• Complete reporting templates
• Communicate non‑compliance using appropriate methods

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

Execute transport operations:

• 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:

• Apply safe Loading and Off-Loading of dangerous goods procedures
• 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

Awaken your individual and organisational potential by contacting us today, we look forward to hearing from you soon!