Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) - Inland Waterways

Become a Qualified Inland Waterways Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser

Specialist ADN DGSA training for a complex transport environment

Dangerous goods carriage by inland waterway has its own distinct operational and regulatory challenges. From vessel construction, tank-vessel requirements and blue-cone signalling to loading locations, stowage, on-board documentation and environmental protection, ADN demands specialist knowledge.

Roadsafe Europe’s ADN DGSA training is designed to help you pass the Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser examination—and, more importantly, become a competent, confident adviser for inland-waterway operations.

Whether you are qualifying for the first time, adding inland waterways to an existing DGSA certificate, or preparing for your five-year renewal examinations, our structured, classroom-based programme gives you the knowledge and practical understanding needed to use the ADN Regulations with confidence.

Pass the examination | Understand ADN | Advise with confidence

Training that goes beyond exam preparation

Passing the DGSA examination is only the first step. A competent Inland Waterways DGSA needs to be able to navigate the ADN Regulations, understand the safety duties of the parties involved and apply requirements to real vessel, cargo and terminal operations.

Our objective is not simply to prepare you for an exam. We want you to leave able to interpret ADN, identify compliance requirements and give informed, practical advice.

The course combines:

• Comprehensive ADN regulatory knowledge

• Practical application to inland-waterway operations

• Detailed course materials

• Examination preparation throughout

• Worked examples and ADN-focused case studies

• Mock examinations with individual marking and feedback

• Small class sizes for individual support

• Tutor-led delivery by an experienced Dangerous Goods professional

• Post-course tutor support

• Twelve months’ complimentary post-qualification guidance and support

What makes ADN different?

ADN is specifically concerned with the carriage of dangerous goods by inland waterway. The qualification therefore goes beyond the themes familiar from road or rail transport and addresses the requirements that matter on board vessels and at the inland-waterway interface.

Your training will cover the ADN examination syllabus, including:

• Classification and identification under ADN

• Packages, IBCs, containers, portable tanks and tank-containers

• Dry-cargo vessels and tank vessels

• Vessel construction, approval and inspection requirements

• Tank-vessel types, design and operational requirements

• Sea-going vessels using inland waterways

• Stability of container vessels

• Marking, labelling and placarding

• Blue cones and blue lights

• Transport documents, stowage plans and documents required on board

• Filling, loading, stowage, segregation, unloading and cargo transfer

• Loading and unloading locations

• Dangerous goods experts on board and crew training requirements

• Fire-fighting equipment and special equipment

• Security, High Consequence Dangerous Goods and security plans

• Emergency procedures, incident reporting and pollution prevention

• The relationship between ADN, ADNR and other relevant dangerous goods requirements

Built around the ADN examination—and real operations

The Inland Waterways DGSA examination includes a case study and written questions. Candidates need to understand not only the Regulations, but also how requirements apply in realistic operational situations.

We turn a substantial and technical body of regulation into a structured, manageable learning programme. You will learn how to find the relevant provisions, interpret their requirements and apply them to examination questions and real-world scenarios involving vessels, tanks, containers, cargo handling and terminal activities.

The course concludes with mock examinations that are marked and critiqued by your tutor. You will also receive further practice questions to complete before your examination, with the opportunity for tutor feedback.

As questions may include explosives and radioactive materials, these subjects are included in the course.

Personal support makes the difference

DGSA training is demanding, and candidates need time, guidance and individual feedback to develop confidence with the Regulations. Large courses can make it difficult for trainees to receive the support they need during an intensive programme.

Roadsafe Europe takes a different approach. We limit class sizes so that every trainee can ask questions, work through difficult areas and receive meaningful feedback. This personal approach has helped us maintain an exceptional first-time pass rate.

We do not offer this intensive course as online-only study. ADN is a detailed and specialist subject, and we believe classroom-based learning, discussion and direct tutor support give candidates the best opportunity to succeed.

Support that continues after the course

We are confident in the quality of our training. If a candidate does not pass an examination, they may attend the next available course as a refresher at no additional training cost.

Once qualified, Roadsafe Europe also provides twelve months of complimentary guidance and support, helping newly qualified DGSAs build confidence as they begin to apply their knowledge professionally.

Add another transport mode to your qualification

Roadsafe Europe also offers DGSA training for road transport under ADR and rail transport under RID.

If you already hold a DGSA qualification for another mode of carriage and wish to add inland waterways to your portfolio, our ADN conversion training provides a focused route to the additional mode examination.

Please note that the rail and inland-waterways examinations take place at the same time, so candidates can only sit one of those mode examinations on a single examination date.

Choose your training package

·      Bronze Package

DGSA training as described above. You arrange your own examination booking and purchase the required regulations. We are happy to guide you through the process.

£975 + VAT

·      Silver Package

Course training and examination booking. You only need to purchase the required regulatory manuals.

£1,390 + VAT
Based on three examinations.

·      Gold Package

The complete, stress-free option: course training, ADN manuals and examination booking. Everything will be ready for you on the first day of the course.

£1,575 + VAT

In-house training

In-house ADN DGSA courses can be priced individually. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

For Silver and Gold Packages, examination bookings can only be carried forward at Qualifications Scotland’s discretion. Once booked, examination fees remain due if a candidate does not attend. For Gold Packages, regulatory manuals cannot be returned after purchase, so their cost also remains due.

Take the next step

Whether you are preparing for your first Inland Waterways DGSA examinations, renewing an existing certificate or adding ADN to your current qualification, Roadsafe Europe can help you approach the process with structure, understanding and confidence.

Are you ready to become a qualified Inland Waterways Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser?

Build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to pass the examination and apply ADN professionally.

2027 examination dates

• 4 March 2027

• 10 June 2027

• 9 September 2027

• 25 November 2027

DGSA certificates are valid for five years. Examination dates, booking deadlines, fees and syllabus requirements are set by the relevant authorities and may change. Please contact us for current course availability and booking advice.