Carriage of Dangerous Goods (CDG/ ADR)

CDG/ ADR test fees

See test fees in the table below:

How to continue to use your vehicle

Annual goods vehicle roadworthiness tests and annual dangerous goods inspections for vehicles and trailers had been suspended to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The DVA will no longer be issuing Temporary Exemption Certificates for heavy goods vehicles and trailers from the 1 September 2020. Reminders will be sent as the vehicles approach their test due date. You should note that capacity within the test centre network remains limited due to COVID 19.

New applications are now being accepted for;

• heavy goods vehicles and trailers due an annual roadworthiness test from 1 September
• heavy goods vehicles and trailers due an ADR test from 1 September
• or heavy goods vehicles and trailers that are unable to apply for authorisation 945 or 476, for example those which carry dangerous goods on international Journeys

Authorisation 945 or 476 will continue to be available for heavy goods vehicles and trailers due an annual road worthiness test between 1 March and 1 September 2020 and issued with a Temporary Exemption Certificate and used for carriage of dangerous good in Northern Ireland.

Annual Roadworthiness expired from 1 September

Vehicles whose annual roadworthiness test is due for the first time, or the current certificate expires on or after 1 September 2020 must now apply for an ADR test if their existing ADR1 certificate has expired. You can apply for the ADR test together with a roadworthiness test or individually.

You should apply for the test in good time, to make sure that your vehicle can be cleared for test before your current certificate expires. On some occasions, it can take up to 4 weeks to clear a vehicle for test, particularly if there is a problem with your application.

What you need to do

1. Send an email to specialist.testingDVA@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk with “ADR” and the vehicle registration number, trailer number or VIN in the subject line
2. Fill in and attach the ADR Application form, take care to fill in the form completely and accurately as incorrect or missing information will result in delays
3. Attach any required documents, such as tank certificates, you must include a copy of both sides of the previous ADR1 Certificate, unless it is the vehicles first test
4. If the vehicle requires a goods vehicle test certificate, complete and attach the right application form
5. DVA will contact you for payment

New type approved tractor units

An application for the first CDG/ ADR certificate for an articulated tractor unit which is based on the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity costs £28.00 and follow the process described in the above section ‘What you need to do’.

CDG/ ADR approved artic units (CDG/ ADR type approval provided by vehicle manufacturer) are no longer required to be presented at a test centre for its first inspection.

A test certificate will be posted to the applicant once DVA has received the applicant's completed application form and fee. 

The CDG/ ADR application form can be downloaded at the link below.

• CDG or ADR application form

DVA can also test vehicles requiring certification under the CDG/ ADR agreement, something previously only carried out by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

• DVSA website

New semi and draw bar trailers which do not require an annual roadworthiness test will be required to undergo a full brake test as part of the CDG/ ADR test.

Depending on which type of CDG/ ADR test is applied for, the application form will provide guidance on the vehicle declarations and certificates that are required with the application.

Scanned copies of these certificates should be sent along with the application form, original certificates will be required by the examiner at the time of test.

Competent authorities

DVA will be acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland competent authorities for the CDG/ ADR Vehicle Certification aspects of the legislation only.

The Health and Safety Executive (NI) is the competent authority for the Carriage of Dangerous Goods (excluding explosives).

• Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland

The Department of Justice Firearms and Explosives Branch is the competent authority for vehicles carrying explosives.

• Department of Justice

Contact Firearms and Explosives Branch on 028 9052 0057.

Both competent authorities have appointed DVA to carry out the inspection of vehicles on their behalf.

Attending the test

DVA will send you confirmation of the test date and time by email. Operators are required to make sure that:

• Where required, a completed and signed Declaration for the cleaning/purging of vehicles is brought to the test - this should not be handed to the examiner, but may be shown through the window or left in the cab.  Download the declaration 
• Presenters must not have any symptoms of COVID-19, do not go if you feel unwell, have tested positive, or if you live with someone who has symptoms or has tested positive
• Presenters must adhere to instructions at all times and must not leave the cab unless asked to do so - if they are unsure of any instruction, they should sound the horn
• Failure to meet any of the above may result in the test not being completed and you may lose your fee