Transportation of Dangerous Goods: Everything You Must Know Before You Enroll

• August 19, 2025
• Lightspeed

Every day, thousands of commercial vehicles move goods across highways and city streets. While most loads are harmless, some contain hazardous materials that require special care. Gasoline, chemicals, compressed gases, and other dangerous goods can cause serious harm if they’re not handled correctly.

For truck drivers, owner-operators, and trucking company staff, Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) training is not just a legal requirement — it’s a vital safeguard for safety, compliance, and professional credibility.

Why Dangerous Goods Require Special Handling

Dangerous goods are substances that pose risks to people, property, or the environment when transported. In trucking, this can range from fuel and corrosive chemicals to lithium batteries and flammable paints.

These materials fall into nine hazard classes, such as:

• Class 2 – Gases
• Class 3 – Flammable Liquids
• Class 8 – Corrosives
• Class 9 – Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods

Each class has its own rules for packaging, labeling, and transport. One wrong move can put drivers, the public, and the environment at risk.

The Regulations That Govern Dangerous Goods Transportation

In road transport, dangerous goods must be handled in accordance with strict regulations. These rules dictate how products are classified, how they must be packaged and marked, and what paperwork must accompany them.

The goal is to prevent accidents during loading, transit, and unloading — and to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, first responders have the correct information to act quickly and safely.

Who Must Have TDG Certification

If your work involves dangerous goods in any part of the trucking process, TDG certification is essential. This includes:

• Truck drivers hauling hazardous materials
• Dispatchers who plan and assign dangerous goods shipments
• Warehouse and yard staff who load or unload dangerous goods
• Administrative staff who prepare shipping documents

Even if you only occasionally handle hazardous materials, you must be trained and certified before doing so.

Key Skills and Knowledge You’ll Learn in TDG Training

A good TDG training program prepares you for the realities of hauling dangerous goods on the road. You’ll learn:

• Classification – Correctly identifying the hazard class of the goods you’re hauling.
• Packaging & Labelling – Applying the right safety marks, UN numbers, and placards.
• Documentation – Preparing and checking shipping documents for compliance.
• Emergency Response – Knowing what to do if there’s a spill, leak, or other incident during transport.
• Ongoing Compliance – Staying up to date with rule changes affecting road transport.

Common Mistakes in Dangerous Goods Handling

Without proper TDG training, it’s easy to make mistakes such as:

• Using the wrong placard on a vehicle
• Misclassifying a product and applying the wrong safety marks
• Missing critical information on shipping documents
• Not following proper emergency response steps after an incident

These errors can lead to fines, delays, and serious safety risks.

How to Choose the Right Training Program

When selecting TDG training for road transport, make sure it:

• Meets current regulatory standards
• Is taught by instructors with trucking industry experience
• Covers practical, real-world hauling scenarios
• Offers clear guidance on documentation and vehicle placarding

Why AVAAL’s TDG Program is a Smart Choice

Our Transportation of Dangerous Goods program is designed with road transport professionals in mind. The course is easy to follow, highly practical, and based on up-to-date regulations.

With a focus on real-world trucking situations, graduates leave confident in their ability to handle dangerous goods safely, avoid costly mistakes, and maintain compliance on the road.

Final Steps Before You Enroll

Before signing up:

• Check course details and schedule
• Understand your recertification timeline
• Make sure you’re ready to apply what you learn immediately in your work

Conclusion

In the trucking industry, there’s no room for guesswork when it comes to dangerous goods. Proper TDG training protects your safety, your career, and everyone else on the road.

Enroll for AVAAL’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods Training Program. Get certified and transport dangerous goods with confidence. Contact us for more information

Q: Is TDG training mandatory for all truck drivers?

Only drivers who handle or transport dangerous goods require TDG certification. However, if you occasionally haul hazardous materials, you must still be trained and certified before doing so.

Q: Can I take TDG training online?

Yes. Many reputable providers, including AVAAL, offer online training options that meet regulatory requirements.

Q: What happens if I transport dangerous goods without certification?

Operating without proper TDG training and certification can result in heavy fines, shipment delays, and legal consequences — not to mention the increased safety risks.

Q: Does TDG training cover vehicle placarding rules?

Yes. A proper TDG course will teach you how to select, display, and maintain the correct placards for your load.

Q: Who is responsible for TDG compliance — the driver or the company?

Both. Employers must ensure staff are trained, and drivers must follow the regulations while on the road.