All UK ADR drivers whose driver training photo card was issued since 29 October 2012 will receive a replacement card.
A new format for these cards was agreed at a recent meeting of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and ADR Contracting Parties.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority – or SQA – despite the name, administers photo card certificates for dangerous goods driver training on behalf of the Department for Transport across the whole of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The SQA will be working closely with enforcement agencies and with trade associations to make sure that drivers, hauliers and training providers are aware of the changes.
SQA will coordinate the re-issue to make sure that all drivers who need one get their replacement card. There will also be a 6 month grace period while the new cards are being issued, so that no one is disadvantaged by the change.
There will be no cost to drivers or operators for the new photo cards.
Sue Macfarlane, Head of Specialist Awards and Services at SQA said, ‘Some minor amendments are needed to ensure complete compliance with the recently clarified points, namely the date format and the black colouring of all the lettering on the card.
‘Certificate holders and their employers can be assured that SQA has put in place a dedicated team to ensure hauliers and drivers have support. The team responsible will be sending out detailed instructions to every photo card certificate holder asking them to destroy their old card only once they have received their replacement and asking them to acknowledge this.
‘If by Friday 4 October 2013 a certificate holder has not received their replacement, they should contact the team directly at adr@sqa.org.uk and their new certificate will be fast-tracked to them within 5 working days.’