Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Service Center

Take the dangerous goods officer test

In order to be able to be appointed and work as a dangerous goods officer, you must have proof of training. The training certificate will be issued to you by the IHK after you have attended a training course and passed an examination.

Detailed description

As soon as a company is involved in the transport of dangerous goods, a dangerous goods officer must be appointed. The training certificate of the dangerous goods officer must correspond to the mode of transport on which the company transports dangerous goods.


There are training courses and exams for the

  • Road traffic,
  • Rail transport,
  • Inland waterway transport and
  • Maritime transport

You can take the exam as an initial exam, supplementary exam and repeat exam. During the initial test, you must provide evidence of at least 22.5 hours of training for the tested mode of transport. If you already have proof of this, but would like to extend it to an additional mode of transport, take the so-called supplementary test. To do this, you must provide evidence of 7.5 hours of training for the additional mode of transport. If you have evidence of training that is about to expire, you can take an extension exam. To do this, you need to present your training certificate.


Please note the following points for the test:

  • The test duration depends on the number of tested modes of transport. It is between 100 (one mode of transport) and 250 minutes (maximum of four modes of transport) for the basic test and between 50 and a maximum of 125 minutes for the extension test. The duration of the supplementary examination is between 50 (one mode of transport) and 150 minutes (maximum of three modes of transport).
  • The examination is carried out in writing. You can use the relevant regulation texts for the respective modes of transport as well as a non-programmable pocket calculator as an aid. The use of other electronic aids is not permitted.

You can take the exam regardless of the training center and your place of residence at any IHK in Germany.

 

Information

Prerequisites

Basic exam

  • Completed training with a recognized training provider for the respective mode of transport of at least 22.5 hours

Renewal examination

  • Proof of training for the respective mode of transport that has not yet expired

Supplementary examination

  • Valid training certificate
  • Proof of a supplementary course for the mode of transport to be tested with a duration of at least 7.5 hours

Documents required

For basic, supplementary and repeat exams:

  • Copy of the course confirmation from the training provider, the original must be presented to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce on the day of the examination

For supplementary and extension exams:

  • The copy of the current training certificate for dangerous goods officers, the original must be presented to the IHK on the day of the examination

Please note

Entrepreneurs and business owners who are involved in the transport of dangerous goods must appoint a dangerous goods officer. A valid training certificate for the respective mode of transport is required to commence the activity. This proof can be obtained by passing the examination to become a dangerous goods officer at the Chamber of Commerce.

Deadlines

The training certificate is valid for five years from the passing of the basic examination.

Procedure

First you complete a training course for the desired mode of transport with a private provider.

  • After taking part in the training, register online or in writing for an examination at an IHK.
  • The IHK will confirm your registration for the exam after reviewing your documents.
  • You take the exam on site at the IHK.
  • The examination is passed if at least 50% of the maximum number of points given in the respective examination questionnaire has been achieved.

After successfully completing the exam, you will be issued with proof of training as a dangerous goods officer and you can work as a dangerous goods officer.

Processing time

As a rule, you will receive notification of passing or failing the exam about 2 weeks after taking the exam.

Fees

140 EUR per exam

Legal remedies


  • contradiction

  • administrative court proceedings

  • For more details, please refer to the notification of passing / failing the exam

Legal basis

Section 3 (1) Ordinance on Hazardous Goods (GbV)


Section 6 Ordinance on Hazardous Goods (GbV)

Forms and downloads

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, Service Center

Mon-Thu 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (by phone: Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-2 p.m.).

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Keywords: Basic examination of dangerous goods officer Advanced training examination for dangerous goods officer Training organizer dangerous goods officer Rail transport Dangerous goods officer Training organizer Maritime transport Road traffic Modes of transport Supplementary examination Basic exam Proof of training Certificate of attendance Renewal examination

Last updated: 14.09.2026