I have been contemplating whether or not to invest in one of these courses.
Is there enough work out there, also how much do they cost and how long do they take and are they hard for dimwits like me!!.
Obviously I will phone the companies around me to get a good idea, but it is always good to get the info from the ‘Troops’…
Thanks guys
SMc
Deepinvet:
I have been contemplating whether or not to invest in one of these courses.
Hi Deepinvet, Sorry but I couldn’t comment as to the availability of ADR work in your part of the country.
Some of the other members will be along soon, and I’m sure you’ll get some honest opinions.
As to cost, it would depend on which modules you wish to take.
Sometimes, there is funding available, so you might not have to pay. The Jobcenter or the logistics dept. of your local college might be able to point you in the right direction. Colleges can access extra funding, so their commercial rate often beats that of a private training provider. Of course, there’s nothing to stop you making your own enquiries with a private training school.
So now for some detail:
There’s a “core” module that eveybody has to take. That is 1.5 days teaching.
Then you choose between “packages” and “tankers” for how you’re going to carry the “stuff.” Or you can do both.
“Packages” is 2hrs 15mins teaching, whilst “tankers” is 1.5 days teaching.
Then you choose which of the “classes” you wish to do.
(Teaching times in RED.)
Class 1 = Explosives (Specialised, so not many people do this and it can be expensive 
)
Class 2 = Gases. (1.5hrs)
Class 3 = Flammable liquids (1.5hrs)
Class 4 = Flammable solids, Spontaneously combustible substances and Substances which are dangerous when wet. (45mins) Class 5 = Oxidisers AND organic peroxides (45mins)
Class 6 = Toxics AND infectious (45mins)
Class 7 = Radioactives (Specialised, very few people do this and it can be expensive )
Class 8 = Corrosives (45mins)
Class 9 = Micellaneous dangerous substances not covered by classes 1-8. (45mins)
TIP: Don’t imagine that the classes 1-9 are a league table.
From experience, I’d say that the commonest combination is Core, Packages and classes 2-6 +8&9 That can be done with 3days teaching and the morning of the 4th day to do the exams.
You’d need your DVLA issued driver number and an acceptable form of photographic ID to join the course. The exams are marked at SQA, Glasgow, then those results are transmitted to DVLA Swansea by secure link, then DVLA Swansea prints and issues your ADR licence and sends it to the address they have on file for you.
There is one exam paper per module, and the questions come just like the game show “millionaire,” whilst your answers go on a sheet that looks like a lottery ticket. The exams are designed to make sure you were listening to, and understanding, the tuition. The ADR course and exams are said to be “level 2” which is about the same as a GCSE.
Pertinent questions to an ADR training provider are:
- Does your quoted fee include V.A.T.
- Does your quoted fee include the exam fees charged by SQA
Qs 1&2 above help to avoid nasty surprises
Providers are also required to state what, if any arrangements are in place for refreshments too.
The reason for asking Q2 above is that SQA charges £20 per exam as a marking fee, so if you forgot to ask about that, you might end up with a surprise bill for an extra £200 if you took 10 modules.
I hope this helps, but if you need any more info about the choices, please get back to me. 
Thanks for the very comprehensive reply…You have pm
SMc
hello am currently doin my adr at shell stanlow class3 tankers £293 its costin me for 3 day course hope this gives you an idea regards jc
Not to sure about firms in south lincs needing ADR, where i am there is
Rase, Masstock and Cartwrights that are ADR.
Best bet is firms round Immingham area, when i done mine, firm paid and i paid £20 a week out of my wages and believe me, you will pass, good luck.
I did the full course including explosives & radioactives last year. 7 days, it cost about £750 IIRC
I’ve just done ADR packages excluding Explosives and Radioactive,it was a 3 day course which the company paid for.
The trainer told us it was about £400 each.It used to be cheaper until the Scottish Examination Board took it over and virtually doubled the price overnight.
Fairly easy I’d say,But for £5 a load with all the nasty ■■■■ you have to carry I’ll let you know whether its worth the hassle 
Would’nt mind getting TANKS ,but I think its another £150-£200 and cause we dont carry tanks company would’nt pay.
an ADR will get you a job when things are tight . quate yet again no ticket cant apply im on my third ticket theres always work .
bikemonkey:
I’ve just done ADR packages excluding Explosives and Radioactive,it was a 3 day course which the company paid for.
The trainer told us it was about £400 each.It used to be cheaper until the Scottish Examination Board took it over and virtually doubled the price overnight.
Fairly easy I’d say,But for £5 a load with all the nasty [zb] you have to carry I’ll let you know whether its worth the hassleWould’nt mind getting TANKS ,but I think its another £150-£200 and cause we dont carry tanks company would’nt pay.
try doing it for yourself 
tanks that is
scania245:
bikemonkey:
Would’nt mind getting TANKS ,but I think its another £150-£200 and cause we dont carry tanks company would’nt pay.try doing it for yourself
Good idea scania245, The tank module can be added at any time, and you’re not tied to the same provider.
(So please shop around )
The tanker module consists of 1.5 teaching days, then one multi-choice exam of 20 questions in 30 mins time allowed.
If you add tankers to an existing ADR licence, you’ll be issued with a new ADR, but the expiry date will be as per the old one.
The expiry of an ADR licence depends on the date that you passed the core module.
I’d advise against adding to an ADR licence with a short validity, due to the cost of having to do it all again so soon after.
scania245:
bikemonkey:
I’ve just done ADR packages excluding Explosives and Radioactive,it was a 3 day course which the company paid for.
The trainer told us it was about £400 each.It used to be cheaper until the Scottish Examination Board took it over and virtually doubled the price overnight.
Fairly easy I’d say,But for £5 a load with all the nasty [zb] you have to carry I’ll let you know whether its worth the hassleWould’nt mind getting TANKS ,but I think its another £150-£200 and cause we dont carry tanks company would’nt pay.
try doing it for yourself
Probably will when I’ve got a spare £200.
Tankers worry me a bit though with the old rollover phenomenon 
rollover mostly happens when you dont read the road properly .at shell they have a 20mph rule when using roundabouts speed is a common factor in most rollovers but am no expert just what ive learnt this week 
Deepinvet:
Thanks for the very comprehensive reply…You have pm
SMc
Answered