DGSA Course – Study Online From Anywhere.
Our 5-day Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser course is delivered live online by a qualified DGSA with over 20 years of industry experience. You study from home or the office. When you are ready, you take the SQA exam at a venue near you. We can handle the exam booking for you.
Next course: 17 - 21 August 2026 – Places limited.
Study online – live virtual classroom, no travel needed
Exam at a venue near you – we handle the SQA booking
DGSA-qualified trainer with 20+ years of experience
Course guarantee – did not pass? Resit the course free of charge
£995 + VAT (course only) - exam fees and ADR manuals available as add-ons
How it Works
1. Study online
Five days of live, trainer-led virtual classroom sessions. You join from your own computer – no travel, no accommodation, no time away from the business beyond the course days themselves. The sessions are interactive, not recorded lectures. You can ask questions, work through exercises, and get direct support from the trainer throughout.
2. Revise and prepare
After the course, you receive revision materials and access to a revision session before your exam. We make sure you are ready.
3. Take the exam
The SQA exam is taken in person at a venue near you. Exam centres are located across the UK. If you choose our complete package, we book the exam on your behalf – you just turn up.
What the Course Covers
The course prepares you for the Core, Road, and All Classes examinations. Over five days, you will work through the ADR regulations in full, covering:
Classification of dangerous goods across all nine classes
Packing, labelling, marking, and placarding requirements
Vehicle and tank requirements for road transport
Loading, unloading, and handling procedures
Documentation – transport documents, instructions in writing, emergency information
Exemptions and special provisions, including limited quantities
The role and legal responsibilities of the DGSA
Incident reporting and the annual DGSA report
The course is designed for candidates sitting the SQA examination for the first time. It is also suitable for existing DGSAs preparing for their 5-year renewal exam.
Pricing
Course Only – £1,269 inc. VAT
Includes five days of live online training, course materials, and a pre-exam revision session.
Complete Package – £1,550 inc. VAT
Everything in the course-only option, plus: SQA exam booking handled on your behalf, ADR reference manuals included. You focus on studying – we take care of the rest.
Who Needs a DGSA?
Under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009, any business involved in the transport, loading, or unloading of dangerous goods by road must appoint a DGSA – unless they operate exclusively under the small load exemptions in ADR 1.1.3.6.
If your business moves dangerous goods and you do not currently have a qualified DGSA, you are legally required to appoint one. Becoming a qualified DGSA yourself is often more cost-effective than hiring an external adviser.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Total Compliance
Total Compliance is a nationwide training and consultancy provider specialising in transport compliance. Our DGSA course is delivered by a qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser with over 20 years of hands-on industry experience – not a generalist trainer reading from slides.
We are members of Logistics UK, the Road Haulage Association, and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Ready to get started?
Call 0345 9001312 or complete the enquiry form below. We will confirm the next available course date and answer any questions you have.