Professional Qualification Course for Hazardous Materials Truck Drivers
30 hours of theoretical and hands-on training leading to an accredited certificate — opening transport contracts closed to unqualified drivers.
- 30 training hours
- 6 days
- Accredited certificate
- Hands-on practice
What is the hazardous materials transport course?
A specialised training program that qualifies truck and tanker drivers to handle hazardous cargo safely and responsibly — from pre-loading vehicle inspection through to safe unloading.
The course combines theory (UN classification of dangerous goods, reading warning placards and symbols, governing regulations) with hands-on practice (vehicle inspection, load securing, protective equipment, and spill & fire scenario simulation).
The result: a driver who knows what to do in the moment the decision matters — not one who memorises facts for the exam only.
Why has driver qualification become a necessity, not an option?
Regulatory requirement
Operating requirements for hazardous materials transport are tied directly to driver qualification, alongside packaging, placarding, and authorised-route requirements.
Hiring condition
Transport and logistics companies do not assign hazardous cargo contracts to unqualified drivers. The certificate has become the gateway, not a CV extra.
Financial protection
The cost of a single incident — casualties, environmental damage, fleet downtime, fines, lost contracts — exceeds the cost of qualifying an entire fleet many times over.
Who needs the hazardous materials certificate?
Individuals
- Heavy truck and tanker drivers (fuel, gases, chemicals)
- New drivers entering the hazardous materials transport sector
- Independent and temporarily contracted drivers
- Drivers of vehicles carrying warning placards
Companies & fleets
- Transport and logistics companies
- Petroleum, chemical, and industrial product carriers
- Factories and gas companies moving hazardous materials between sites
- Safety supervisors and HSE departments in the transport sector
Course modules
1Introduction to hazardous materials
- Definition of hazardous materials and the scope of applicable regulations
- Physical and chemical properties and their effects on people, environment, and property
- The difference between hazard and risk
2UN classification of dangerous goods
- International classification under the UN system (the nine classes)
- Flammables · compressed gases · toxics · explosives · corrosives
- Warning symbols, orange placards, and UN numbers
- Reading the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
3Safety procedures during transport
- Vehicle preparation and pre-trip inspection
- Packaging requirements and load securing
- Safe loading/unloading and segregating incompatible materials
- Correct use of personal protective equipment
- Transport documents required en route
4Risk management & journey planning
- Identifying potential risks and assessing their likelihood
- Choosing authorised routes and avoiding restricted areas
- Defensive driving by cargo type and weather conditions
- Safe stopping points and alternative emergency plans
5Emergencies & incidents
- Response sequence: secure the scene → move away from danger → report
- Handling leaks and containing spills
- First-response firefighting and choosing the right extinguisher
- Evacuation procedures and first aid
- Reporting to authorities and documenting the incident
6Regulations & law
- Saudi regulations governing hazardous materials transport
- International regulations and reference requirements
- Driver obligations versus operator obligations
- Permits, violations, and their impact on driver and company
What will you be able to do after the course?
Entry requirements
- A valid heavy truck driving licence
- Basic driving knowledge and heavy vehicle handling
- Commitment to safety rules during practical training
No advanced academic qualification is required.
Why POTC?
Officially accredited
Accredited by the Transport General Authority and licensed by TVTC
Accredited completion certificate
Course-completion certificate — the entry requirement for the competency exam
Real hands-on practice
Training on a real truck and equipment — not theory alone
Trainers from the field
Genuine operational experience in hazardous materials transport
Emergency simulation
Spill and fire scenarios — decision training under pressure
Exam preparation
The competency exam pass mark is 60% — we prepare you with focused revision
Corporate solutions
On-site delivery + attendance and assessment reports
Flexible scheduling
Multiple batches aligned with fleet operating schedules
Train your fleet — corporate solutions for transport & logistics
Qualifying drivers one by one drains time and disrupts operations. We provide group programs designed around fleet schedules:
- Training delivered at your premises
- Drivers split into batches so operations never stop
- Attendance and assessment report per trainee, delivered to your safety department
- Special group pricing
- A compliance file ready to show clients and regulators
Request a quote — companies
Reserve your seat in the next batch
- Duration6 days (30 training hours)
- LocationRiyadh — in person with hands-on practice
- Next batch1 October 2026
- OutcomeCourse-completion certificate — qualifying for the competency exam
- FeesContact us for fees and group offers
Registration form — individuals
Frequently asked questions
What is the hazardous materials transport course?
A training program that qualifies drivers to transport dangerous cargo safely, covering material classification, reading warning symbols, safety procedures during loading, transport and unloading, emergency response, and the regulations governing the activity.
Who needs the hazardous materials certificate?
Every driver transporting hazardous materials on public roads — whether employed by a transport company, attached to an industrial facility, or independently contracted — plus safety supervisors responsible for transport operations.
How long is the course?
The course runs 6 training days totalling 30 hours, split between theory and hands-on practice.
What are the entry requirements?
A valid heavy truck driving licence, basic driving knowledge, and commitment to safety rules during practical training. No advanced academic qualification is required.
Does the centre issue the certificate?
POTC — as a training centre accredited by the Transport General Authority and licensed by TVTC — issues the course-completion certificate, the entry requirement for the competency exam. The competency certificate is issued by an independent accredited test centre at a 60% pass mark, then TGA issues the hazmat driver card.
How long is the competency certificate valid?
Five years from issuance; regulation requires a refresher course at an accredited training centre at least 60 days before expiry — otherwise the card cannot be renewed.
What if I miss some hours?
Allowed absence is up to 10% of total hours without statutory excuse, or 20% with excuse — beyond that, the course-completion certificate is not granted.
Does the course include hands-on practice?
Yes. The course combines theory with hands-on practice covering vehicle inspection, load securing, personal protective equipment, and spill and fire scenario simulation.
Can we train a group of company drivers?
Yes. The centre offers corporate programs with flexible schedules, on-site delivery at your premises, and attendance and assessment reports for your safety department.
Ready to start?
Seats in the next batch are limited — registration closes when full.
POTC — accredited by the Transport General Authority · Building 7598, Al Olaya Street, Al Olaya District, Riyadh 12212