Dangerous goods training and licensing
When is a licence required?
A licence is required when transporting any receptacle with a capacity of more than 500 litres or which contains more than 500 kilograms of dangerous goods.
The exception is when intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) with a total capacity of up to 3000 L are being transported, as long as they are not filled or emptied while on the vehicle.
The vehicle must be covered by a dangerous goods vehicle licence and the driver must hold a dangerous goods driver licence.
A licence is issued for a vehicle that will be loaded with dangerous goods, such as a trailer, rigid vehicle, B-double trailer or a road-train trailer. Prime movers are not licensed.
A single licence is issued for each transport organisation and details of each vehicle are included on that licence. The licence is valid for one year and is nationally recognised.
To apply for a vehicle licence you must:
- provide information about the vehicle
- advise the class or classes of dangerous goods to be carried
- hold an insurance policy for the vehicle to cover clean-up and emergency services costs incurred in response to, and recovery of, any vehicle(s) and/or goods involved in a dangerous goods incident
- pay the licence application fee
- provide a rear 3/4 image of the vehicle showing the number plate and vehicle type.
For tank vehicles you must also provide:
More information on application requirements is given in the application form.
Send the completed form, along with the required information and application fee, to:
Chemicals and Radiation Licensing
NSW EPA
PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232
or by email to d.goods@epa.nsw.gov.au.
Interstate dangerous goods driver licences
A current dangerous goods driver licence issued by any state or territory is recognised throughout Australia. If you hold a current interstate dangerous goods driver licence, you are able to drive a dangerous goods vehicle anywhere in NSW.
Dangerous goods driver training
Before applying for your dangerous goods driver licence you must complete the training course: 30744QLD Course in the transport of dangerous goods by road.
To find a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that presents the course, go to the training.gov.au website.
A list will be generated of relevant RTOs along with their contact details.
Applying for dangerous goods driver licence
To apply for a dangerous goods driver licence you must:
- complete the required training provided by an appropriate RTO
- be certified as medically fit by a general practitioner
- have a satisfactory driving history
- provide identification (passport-sized photographs and a copy of your vehicle driver licence)
- complete and sign the application form
- obtain the RTO's certification on the application form
- submit the application form within 6 months of undertaking the training or the medical assessment.
The requirements for driving history and medical fitness are given in the licence application form.
Send the completed application form, along with the required information attached and application fee to:
Chemicals and Radiation Licensing
NSW EPA
PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232
Most licences are issued within five working days after the EPA receives all the necessary information. Licences are normally valid for five years, but a shorter duration licence may be issued in certain circumstances.
Dangerous goods register of licences
Visit the register of NSW dangerous goods driver and vehicle licences.
Page last updated: 18 January 2013
