Dangerous Goods Training Framework Changes & PrDP(D) Renewals

Important Industry Update for Operators and Drivers

The transport industry is preparing for significant regulatory changes to the Dangerous Goods training framework and its impact on Professional Driving Permit (PrDP-D) renewals.

These changes involve a transition from the legacy unit-standard training model to the new QCTO occupational qualifications framework and may substantially affect driver training timelines, permit renewals, and operational planning.

Industry bodies, including the Road Freight Association, are in the process of opposing some of these changes, which may lead to several industry challenges, including:

• Driver shortages if renewals are delayed
• Administrative backlogs
• A shortage of QCTO-accredited training providers
• Increased training time and costs
• Potential interruption of Dangerous Goods transport operations

1. QCTO implementing new training requirements

The QCTO is implementing changes to the PrDP(D) training requirements as part of a broader national mandate from the Minister of Higher Education and Training to phase out historical unit-standard-based legacy education.

This transition was formalized through the Minister’s Directive on the Implementation and Transitional Arrangements for pre-2009 Qualifications (Government Gazette No. 50742 of 3 June 2024).

According to departmental directives, the purpose of the structural overhaul is to:

“replace pre-2009 qualifications with occupational qualifications that respond to the economic demands of the country.”

The new QCTO occupational model focuses on:

• Theoretical knowledge
• Practical skills
• Documented workplace experience

This differs from the previous framework, which relied more heavily on classroom-based attendance.

The updated approach aims to improve the quality, consistency, and practical competency of Dangerous Goods training.
Given recent Dangerous Goods incidents within the transport sector, improved driver training and stronger quality assurance measures could contribute positively to operational safety.

2. New 8-Credit Training Course Requirement

New Training Structure

The revised framework consists of:

• Full Proficient Road Transport Dangerous Goods Driver Programme (NQF 3)
  SP-241201
• 8 credits
• Approximately 80 hours / 2 weeks classroom training
• Refresher Skills Programme SP-250306
  • 4 credits
  • Approximately 1 week classroom training

Revised Entry Requirements

The QCTO has amended the entry requirements for the refresher programme.

Drivers must now hold the new NQF Level 3 Skills Programme certificate in order to qualify for the refresher course. The legacy US 123259 qualification is no longer accepted for this purpose.

This requirement remains a major point of concern within the transport sector.

Certification Delays

The new process involves:

• External moderation by TETA
• Final Integrated Summative Assessment (FISA)
• Mandatory QCTO onsite validation visits

As a result, final certification may take up to six months to be issued, subject to the QCTO and related bodies having sufficient capacity to implement and manage the new processes within the required timeframes.

3. Immediate Certificates and Statements of Results No Longer Permitted

Skills Development Providers (SDPs) may no longer issue:

• Immediate Statements of Results (SOR)
• Interim certificates

for use at licensing departments for immediate PrDP(D) renewals.

Only the QCTO may issue final certificates of competence after successful moderation and validation processes.

Operators are therefore encouraged to incorporate these extended turnaround times into their compliance and driver scheduling plans.

4. Implementation Date: 01 July 2026

Important Dates

• 01 July 2026
  New QCTO compliance process becomes fully operational.
• 30 June 2026
  Legacy US 123259 unit standard expires.

Operators are encouraged to take proactive steps before the cutoff date.

5. Industry Opposition and Ongoing Engagements

Industry bodies including:

• the Road Freight Association (RFA)
• SAEPA

are actively opposing certain QCTO entry requirements on behalf of the industry.

The matter has reportedly been escalated to:

• TETA
• QCTO
• BUSA
• Nedlac
• the Minister of Transport

At present, no official resolution or amended directive has been issued, meaning the current QCTO requirements remain legally applicable.

6. Strategic Recommendation for Operators

Recommended Registration Deadline

Employers are advised to enrol drivers whose permits expire on or after 01 July 2026 with an accredited Skills Development Provider before 31 May 2026.

This allows processing under the legacy framework before the 30 June 2026 cutoff.

Training Rollout Requirement

Where drivers are registered during the legacy cutoff period, training providers must ensure that training is completed within 6 to 8 weeks of registration.

This requires close operational coordination between operators and providers.

Operational Benefits

Using the transitional period effectively may provide operators with:

• A potential 12-month operational buffer
• Additional time to adapt to the new framework
• Opportunity for industry negotiations to continue

Possible Provider Mechanisms

Some accredited Skills Development Providers may assist through:

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
  Using workplace portfolio evidence from active Dangerous Goods drivers.
• Blended Learning Approaches
  Allowing theoretical modules to be completed online while limiting classroom attendance to practical assessments.

7. Full 8-Credit Course Required After Cutoff

Drivers whose permits expire after 01 July 2026 and who were not registered under the legacy framework before the cutoff date will not qualify for the refresher programme.

These drivers will be required to complete the full 8-credit, 2-week Proficient Driver classroom course in order to obtain or renew their PrDP(D).

Important Compliance Warning

Only a limited number of training providers have reportedly obtained formal QCTO accreditation for the new Dangerous Goods skills programmes.

After 30 June 2026:

• Providers without updated QCTO accreditation may not legally conduct training.

In terms of:

• Regulation 280(1) of the National Road Traffic Regulations
• together with SANS 10231 operational standards

operators are required to use only “approved training bodies.”

Training completed through an unaccredited provider may be regarded as invalid and could result in:

• compliance liabilities,
• operational disruptions, and
• rejection of PrDP(D) renewal applications at licensing departments.

Operators are encouraged to verify the current QCTO accreditation status of their training providers as soon as possible.

Special Thanks

We would like to thank Samantha Timm from Smartlearna for her valuable contribution, research, and insights regarding the upcoming Dangerous Goods training framework changes.