Book a dangerous goods safety adviser exam
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-21)

How to apply to book and take an exam if you want to become a dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA) or renew your DGSA certificate.

Apply to book a dangerous goods safety adviser exam if you want to:
- qualify as a dangerous good safety adviser (DGSA) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carriage-of-dangerous-goods-guidance-note-19/employing-a-dangerous-goods-safety-adviser)
- renew your DGSA certificate if you are already qualified
To qualify you need to pass dangerous goods safety adviser exams on:
- all dangerous goods classes
- the core module
- either road, rail or inland waterways
You have to pass these exams every 5 years to stay qualified.

Dates of the exam

The next exam is on 5 March 2026.

Where you can take the exam

You have to take your exam in person.

The Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA), who administer the exam, will send you the full address of the venue once they confirm your booking.

Exam locations in England

You can do your exam at venues in:
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Greater Manchester
- Middlesbrough
- Northampton
- Surrey
- Yorkshire
Exam locations in Scotland

You can do your exam at venues in:
- Aberdeen
- Stirling
Exam locations in Northern Ireland

You can do your exam at a venue in Belfast.

How much it costs

You have to pay for every subject you want to take an exam on. The cost for each exam is £135.

Example costs

You book 3 exams to qualify as a dangerous goods safety adviser:
- the core module
- all classes
- road
You have to pay £135 for each exam. The total cost is £405.

Apply online to book your exam

Apply to book a dangerous goods safety adviser exam for:
- all dangerous goods classes
- the core module
- road
- rail
- inland waterways
The road, rail and inland waterways exams all take place at the same time, so you can only do one of these exams on a single exam day.

Start now (https://submit.forms.service.gov.uk/form/6381/apply-to-book-a-dangerous-goods-safety-adviser-exam)

What happens next

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will email details on how to pay within 3 working days.

Once you have paid for your exam, the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) will email your booking confirmation.

Your booking confirmation will include:
- full address for the venue
- the time and date of your exam
- what to take to your exam
Change your booking

Email SQA at least 14 days before your exam if you want to change your booking to the next exam date.

Scottish Qualification Authority xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

If you cannot take your exam because of a bereavement, illness, or injury

If you cannot take your exam because of a bereavement, illness, or injury, you can either:
- change your booking to the next exam date
- get a refund if the next exam date is not suitable
Email SQA at least 14 days before your exam.

Scottish Qualification Authority xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

In your email you need to attach proof of the reason you cannot take your exam. This could be a clear scan or photo of:
- your fit note
- a medical certificate from a healthcare professional such as your GP
- a death certificate
If you give less than 14 days notice

You cannot get a refund if you give less than 14 days notice that you cannot take your exam because of a bereavement illness or injury.

You can change your booking to the next exam date.

Getting your exam results

After sitting your exams, you will get sent:
- a letter with your result
- a certificate - if you passed all 3 exams to qualify as a dangerous goods safety adviser
It can take up to 8 weeks to arrive. You must sign and date your certificate when you get it.

Appeal your exam result

You can appeal your DGSA exam result if you think your performance was affected by:
- frequent interruptions
- noise outside the exam room
- problems with the exam papers
- poor lighting
You can also appeal if your performance was affected because:
- other candidates were cheating, colluding or copying work
- you were treated unfairly or discriminated against (https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights)
Email your appeal and any supporting evidence to DVSA within 28 days of getting your result.

DVSA appeals xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

DVSA will try to let you know the result of your appeal within 30 working days.

DVSA cannot change your test result. If your appeal is successful, they could decide you can resit your exam for free.