DGSA (Road) (Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) — Road / ADR) — Free Online Mock Test
DGSA road (ADR) knowledge practice: the adviser role under ADR 1.8.3, obligations of participants, classification, the Dangerous Goods List, packaging, tanks, marking, placarding, documentation, loading and segregation, exemptions, security, training, tunnels and accident reporting. The real UK DGSA is an open-book written exam (Core, All Classes and a modal Road paper with a case study, 65% pass on each); these multiple-choice mocks drill the ADR knowledge and references those papers demand. · Official language: English.
DGSA (Road) exam at a glance
DGSA (Road) full-length mock tests
Attempt 50 full-length DGSA (Road) mock tests, each a distinct question set built on the real 50-question, 105-minute pattern — with instant scoring and section-wise analysis. The first 3 are free.
DGSA (Road) key facts & eligibility
| Conducting body | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for the UK Department for Transport. The papers are administered and invigilated by Qualifications Scotland (formerly the Scottish Qualifications Authority, SQA) |
|---|---|
| Official website | gov.uk ↗ |
| Mode | In-person, open-book written papers. To qualify you pass three: Core (1 hour 15 minutes), All Classes (1 hour 45 minutes) and one modal paper. For road this is the Road paper (1 hour 45 minutes): one case study plus a range of shorter questions. Answers are written, not multiple choice, and must cite the regulation used (for example an ADR paragraph or packing instruction number). You may bring printed copies of ADR, CDG2009, the Dangerous Goods Emergency Action Code List and the approved derogations and transitional provisions (ADTP). |
| Frequency | Four exam dates a year, in March, June, September and November. Applications close about two weeks before each exam date. Venues are in England (Birmingham, Bristol, Greater Manchester, Middlesbrough, Northampton, Surrey, Yorkshire), Scotland (Aberdeen, Stirling) and Northern Ireland (Belfast). |
| Scoring & marking | Each paper has a pass mark of 65%. The published sample papers say you need 32 marks to pass. The sample Road paper has Section A, one case study worth 35 marks (the live paper offers a choice of three), and Section B, compulsory shorter questions worth 15 marks. Marks may be lost if regulation references are missing or incomplete. |
| Score validity | The DGSA certificate is valid for five years (ADR 1.8.3.16). If you pass a renewal examination in the year before expiry, validity runs for another five years from the old expiry date. GOV.UK says you must pass the exams every five years to stay qualified. The certificate is recognised by all ADR Contracting Parties. |
| Language | English. |
Who is eligible for DGSA (Road)?
There is no prerequisite qualification. To qualify you must pass Core, All Classes and one of Road, Rail or Inland Waterways within 12 months of your first exam. Under ADR 1.8.3.1, any undertaking that consigns or carries dangerous goods by road, or does the related packing, loading, filling or unloading, must appoint a qualified adviser unless an exemption applies.
Last verified October 2026 against GOV.UK: Dangerous goods safety adviser exams (DVSA), GOV.UK: DGSA exam syllabus, GOV.UK: How to answer DGSA exam questions, GOV.UK: Book a DGSA exam, GOV.UK: Road sample exam paper (PDF), GOV.UK: Moving dangerous goods — dangerous goods safety adviser, legislation.gov.uk: CDG2009 (SI 2009/1348). Always confirm current details on the official website before you register.
DGSA (Road) section breakdown
The DGSA (Road) mock test on Wrexa Edge replicates the real exam's section structure — same names, same question count per section, same time limits. No inter-section breaks — the timer runs continuously.
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DGSA Road Knowledge Check (50 Q)
DGSA (Road) scoring & marking scheme
Strategy: DGSA (Road) has no negative marking. Attempt every question — blank answers cost you potential marks but cannot pull your score down.
Scale: DGSA practice (%), real papers need 65%.
How DGSA (Road) is conducted
- Mode
- Test format
- Backtracking
- Mark for review
DGSA (Road) time strategy
With 50 questions in 105 minutes, you have about 126 seconds per question on average. Successful candidates aim for the following pacing on each section:
- DGSA Road Knowledge Check (50 Q)
Wrexa Edge's analytics show your actual time-per-question after every mock so you can spot which sections you're losing time on.
DGSA (Road) topics covered
Across the 50 Wrexa Edge variants of DGSA (Road), the following topics appear most often (sample distribution from one variant):
DGSA Road Knowledge Check (50 Q)
- DGSA — Exemptions · 6
- DGSA — Tanks · 5
- DGSA — Adviser role 1.8.3 · 5
- DGSA — Obligations of participants · 4
- DGSA — Dangerous Goods List · 4
- DGSA — Placarding · 4
- DGSA — Classification · 3
- DGSA — Packaging · 3
DGSA (Road) difficulty calibration
Advanced tier. Advanced-level: high-stakes exam with rigorous content depth. Expect 4-8 months of structured prep.
DGSA road (ADR) knowledge practice: the adviser role under ADR 1.8.3, obligations of participants, classification, the Dangerous Goods List, packaging, tanks, marking, placarding, documentation, loading and segregation, exemptions, security, training, tunnels and accident reporting. The real UK DGSA is an open-book written exam (Core, All Classes and a modal Road paper with a case study, 65% pass on each); these multiple-choice mocks drill the ADR knowledge and references those papers demand. · Official language: English.
Verified content — Wrexa Edge's DGSA (Road) bank has been deeply curated with real exam-aligned content (estimated 65% syllabus coverage).
How Wrexa Edge prepares you for DGSA (Road)
- Real test-day interface
- 50 distinct variants
- Detailed analytics
- Spaced repetition (Notebook)
- Optional proctoring
- Free to start
Expert take: what DGSA (Road) really tests
The UK DGSA qualification is run by DVSA for the Department for Transport, with papers administered by Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA). It proves you can do the safety adviser job defined in ADR 1.8.3. You need three open-book written passes: Core (1 h 15 min), All Classes (1 h 45 min) and a modal paper. For road transport that is the Road paper (1 h 45 min), with a case study and shorter questions. Every paper has a 65% pass mark. Answers must cite the regulation used, so the real skill is fast, accurate navigation of ADR, CDG2009 and the Emergency Action Code List. All three must be passed within 12 months of the first exam, and the certificate lasts five years.
Preparation tips
- Tab your printed ADR before the exam. Table A, 1.1.3.6, 1.8.3, 5.3, 5.4, 7.5.2 and 8.6 come up repeatedly.
- Always give the full reference, including part, chapter, section, sub-section and any packing instruction (e.g. 4.1.4.1 P001). Missing detail costs marks.
- Read the whole case study before answering. GOV.UK says its parts must be answered in context, not as stand-alone questions.
- Practise the 1.1.3.6 calculation until it is automatic: TC1 ×50, TC2 ×3, TC3 ×1, and a total of 1 000 or less.
- Learn the GB Emergency Action Code rules (number = extinguishing medium, letters = protection, contain or dilute, E = public safety) and the multi-load chart.
- Answer the easier Section B questions first, as the sample paper suggests, then return to the case study with the remaining time.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing correct answers without regulation references, or quoting only the chapter instead of the full sub-section.
- Assuming every vehicle with dangerous goods needs placards. For packages, only Class 1 (not 1.4S) and Class 7 need placards.
- Placing the parts of the transport-document description in the wrong order. UN number, name, labels, packing group and tunnel code must follow 5.4.1.1.1.
- Forgetting what still applies under the small-load exemption, such as the 2 kg extinguisher, the transport document and general training.
- Using the ADR hazard identification number where a GB domestic tanker needs an Emergency Action Code (CDG2009).
- Letting the 12-month window lapse between the first and last of the three required passes.
DGSA (Road) study plan
A phase-by-phase roadmap from your first concept to test-ready. Stretch or compress each phase to fit the time you have before your attempt.
- How Table A of Chapter 3.2 is laid out, columns (1) to (20)
- The alphabetical index (Table B) and the UN-number order
- Tabbing the printed ADR: 1.1.3, 1.4, 1.8.3, 3.4/3.5, 5.2–5.4, 7.5, 8.1, 8.6
- Citing references down to sub-section and packing instruction
- Packing group criteria for Classes 3, 6.1 and 8
- Precedence of hazards (2.1.3.5.3 and the 2.1.3.10 table)
- Choosing n.o.s. and collective entries, including technical names
- UN packaging codes, approval marks, IBC and tank codes
- Limited and excepted quantities
- Adviser duties, the annual report and accident reports (1.8.3)
- Participant obligations in Chapter 1.4
- Occurrence reporting thresholds (1.8.5)
- Training (1.3), security and high consequence goods (1.10)
- Placards, orange plates and GB Emergency Action Codes
- Transport documents, instructions in writing and vehicle documents
- The 1.1.3.6 small-load calculation and what it removes
- Mixed loading, securing, extinguishers and crew equipment
- Tunnel restriction codes and FL/AT vehicle approval
- Timed GOV.UK sample papers
- Answering a case study in full context, not as stand-alone parts
- Writing complete references for each answer
- Recapping the mistakes from each mock
Where DGSA (Road) can take you
A strong DGSA (Road) result opens up these careers and higher-study paths:
- Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (in-house)
- Consultant DGSA
- Transport / compliance manager
- Dangerous goods trainer
- Health, safety and environment advisor
Best books & official prep for DGSA (Road)
- ADR 2025 (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road), Volumes I and II — UNECE
- The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (as amended) — UK Government (legislation.gov.uk)
- Dangerous Goods Emergency Action Code List 2025 — NCEC (Ricardo) with the Home Office, published by TSO
- DGSA sample papers and "How to answer" guidance — DVSA (GOV.UK)
Official practice: Study the DVSA syllabus topic groups for Core and Road. Work through the GOV.UK sample papers and the worked "how to answer" examples, and practise finding answers quickly in a tabbed printed copy of ADR. Many candidates also take an accredited DGSA training course, which is optional.
Previous-year papers: DVSA publishes one sample paper each for Core, All Classes and Road, plus worked example answers. Live exam papers are not published on GOV.UK.
Sample DGSA (Road) practice questions
5 questions taken from the DGSA (Road) mock tests on Wrexa Edge. Try each one, then reveal the answer.
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Q1. Under 1.4.2.2.3, what must a carrier do on finding an infringement before departure?
- Forward it and report the problem within one month
- Remove the placards and forward it as ordinary freight
- Forward it if the consignee accepts responsibility
- Not forward the consignment until the matter is rectified
Show answer
Answer: D — Not forward the consignment until the matter is rectified
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Q2. In tank code part 2, what does "G" mean?
- Minimum calculation pressure per the general requirements of 6.8.2.1.14
- Tank for gases only, with a minimum test pressure set by the competent authority
- Gravity discharge only
- Glass-reinforced shell
Show answer
Answer: A — Minimum calculation pressure per the general requirements of 6.8.2.1.14
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Q3. How is the tunnel category shown to drivers on the road?
- By an orange-coloured plate at the tunnel entrance showing the category in black
- By a road sign with an additional panel bearing the category letter
- Only in the instructions in writing
- By a red traffic light
Show answer
Answer: B — By a road sign with an additional panel bearing the category letter
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Q4. Column (12) of Table A shows which kind of tank code?
- The most stringent tank code ever permitted for any substance in the class
- The UN portable tank instruction only
- The least stringent ADR tank code acceptable for the substance
- The tank code of the vehicle's fuel tank
Show answer
Answer: C — The least stringent ADR tank code acceptable for the substance
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Q5. On an orange plate with numbers, what appears in the upper half?
- The UN number
- The tunnel restriction code
- The transport category
- The hazard identification number
Show answer
Answer: D — The hazard identification number
Frequently asked questions
- Which exams do I need to become a DGSA for road transport in the UK?
- You must pass three DVSA dangerous goods safety adviser exams: Core, All Classes and Road. All three must be passed within 12 months of your first exam.
- How long is the DGSA Road exam and what is the pass mark?
- The Road paper lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and has one case study plus a range of other questions. The pass mark is 65%; the official sample paper states that 32 marks are needed. The Core paper lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and All Classes lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, also with a 65% pass mark.
- Is the DGSA exam open book?
- Yes. You may take printed copies of ADR, the CDG2009 regulations (as amended), the Dangerous Goods Emergency Action Code List and the approved derogations and transitional provisions into the exam.
- Is the DGSA exam multiple choice?
- No. The UK papers need written answers, and you must give the regulation references you used, such as the ADR part, chapter, section, sub-section and any packing instruction number.
- Who runs the DGSA exams?
- DVSA manages the exams and bookings for the Department for Transport. Qualifications Scotland, formerly the SQA, administers the papers and confirms bookings and venue details.
- How often are DGSA exams held and where?
- There are four exam dates a year, in March, June, September and November. Exams are taken in person at venues in England, Scotland (Aberdeen and Stirling) and Northern Ireland (Belfast).
- How long is a DGSA certificate valid?
- Five years. Under ADR 1.8.3.16, passing a renewal examination in the year before expiry extends validity for five years from the old expiry date.
- What are the main duties of a dangerous goods safety adviser?
- Under ADR 1.8.3.3 the adviser monitors compliance and advises the undertaking. They prepare an annual report, which must be kept for five years, and write accident reports after incidents affecting people, property or the environment.
- How can I practise DGSA (Road) online for free?
- Wrexa Edge gives you 3 free full-length DGSA (Road) mock tests — with instant scoring, detailed explanations and analytics — plus 47 more with Pro. Start practising in under a minute, no card required.
- Can I take the DGSA (Road) mock test on mobile?
- Yes. DGSA (Road) mock tests run in any browser on mobile, tablet or desktop — no app or download needed. Start on your phone and your progress and analytics sync when you sign in.
- What is the eligibility for DGSA (Road)?
- There is no prerequisite qualification. To qualify you must pass Core, All Classes and one of Road, Rail or Inland Waterways within 12 months of your first exam. Under ADR 1.8.3.1, any undertaking that consigns or carries dangerous goods by road, or does the related packing, loading, filling or unloading, must appoint a qualified adviser unless an exemption applies. Wrexa Edge focuses on realistic DGSA (Road) practice: 3 free full-length mocks in the exact exam pattern, ready whenever you are.
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