Dangerous Goods Driver

As a Dangerous Goods Driver, you transport hazardous materials — including fuels, chemicals, gases, and other regulated substances — safely and legally by road across Ireland and beyond. Your daily work involves checking your vehicle and load before departure, complying strictly with ADR (Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) regulations, and completing all required documentation such as transport declarations and emergency information sheets. You liaise with depot supervisors, loading operatives, and customers at delivery points, and you must respond calmly and correctly if an incident or emergency arises on the road. Maintaining a clean driving record, adhering to tachograph rules, and keeping your certifications up to date are central to your role.

There is no specific Leaving Certificate requirement, though subjects such as Mathematics, Geography, and Science can be helpful background knowledge. To work as a Dangerous Goods Driver in Ireland you must first hold a Category CE or Category C HGV driving licence, which requires passing the relevant theory and practical tests with the Road Safety Authority (RSA). You also need a valid Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC), obtained through approved training and periodic 35-hour refresher training every five years. Crucially, you must hold a current ADR Certificate, issued after completing an approved ADR training course and passing an RSA examination; ADR certificates are class-specific and must be renewed every five years. These qualifications together sit broadly at NFQ Level 5 and are obtained through SOLAS-approved training providers, ETBs, and private driver training schools rather than through the CAO system.