Owners of trucks that transport hazardous and explosive materials are requested to produce this driver certificate on renewals of their trucks' registration. The certificates are obtainable from Belhasa Advanced Driving, the Dubai Civil Defence approved driving institution to train drivers of trucks that transport hazardous materials.

The new rule was issued following the signing of a "Concession Agreement" with Belhasa for Advanced Driving to train drivers who transport hazardous materials. Brigadier Rashid Thani Al Matroushi signed the agreement on behalf of Dubai Civil Defence while Mr. Saif Ahmad Belhasa, chairman of the management board on behalf of Belhasa for Advanced Driving.

The drivers are required to attend a special course that will qualify them to drive safely, understand the dangers involved in hazardous materials and how to properly handle possible accidents while driving on road. At the end of the course, the drivers will be awarded certificates entitling them to drive trucks carrying hazardous or explosive materials. The certificates will be renewable every year.

The new rule involves drivers of flammable liquid tankers (petrol, diesel and asphalt etc.), gas tankers and trucks transporting gas cylinders, chemicals, explosives, firecrackers and radioactive materials (of medical and industrial purposes).

Brigadier Al Matroushi said the new rule will include drivers of light and heavy trucks, which are used for transporting hazardous materials.

Regarding the objectives of the new rule, he said, Dubai is witnessing rapid growth in all fields including industrial and services sectors. These hazardous materials are used in industries and medical treatment. He said that these materials need safe handling as they are being used, stored or transported.

Dubai Civil Defence, he said, has set international standards for storing hazardous materials and while transporting them to or from industrial and medical facilities. Due to risks involved in transporting such materials on road, Dubai Civil Defence is implementing strict safety measures that aim at saving lives and properties and preventing unnecessary risks that may happen. He said unqualified drivers of trucks that carry such materials may cause grave risks due to reckless driving or mishandle the consequences of unavoidable accidents.

Brigadier Al Matroushi said that instructors who will train the drivers should hold qualifications from internationally acknowledged institutions on skills of first aid and advanced training certificates that include driving instruction, safety of hazardous materials, training fire fighting instructors and the ability to deliver practical training.