For Transport Managers and Fleet Managers
Want the full version? Download the comprehensive ADR guide from checkpod.co.uk. This version covers the same ground in 1/4 of the words — for everyday reference once you've read the deep dive at least once.
Colin the Compliance Cricket holding a clipboard with an orange ADR placard pattern in the background. Behind him, a stylised tanker with class diamonds visible. Tone: friendly authority, slightly more serious than the General cover. Same CheckPod green/dark navy palette.
The 30-second version
ADR sits on top of general haulage compliance. Every general rule still applies, plus:
- A DGSA advising your business (with a few narrow exceptions)
- ADR-trained drivers with the right class and tank scope on the card
- Approved vehicles where required (VTG15: EX/II, EX/III, FL, AT, OX, MEMU)
- Equipment — extinguishers, PPE, spill kit, eye-rinse, warning signs
- Documentation — transport document in the cab from July 2025, IIW (4-page model) in the cab, ADR certificate in the driver's wallet
- Placards correct when carrying / removed or covered when not
- Tunnel restriction codes consulted in route planning
- Incident procedures drilled and ready
Penalties under CDG 2009 are criminal, not just civil. HSE prosecutes. Fines reach six and seven figures. The DGSA is your most valuable subscription.
1. The framework
ADR 2025 in force since 1 January 2025. Transitional period ended 30 June 2025. ADR 2027 scheduled for 1 January 2027.
Brought into UK law by: Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG 2009).
Enforced by: HSE (lead), DVSA (roadside, vehicle, driver), DfT (policy + competent authority), ONR (Class 7 alongside HSE).
2. The 11 classes
| Class | Hazard | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | Fireworks, ammo, detonators |
| 2 | Gases (2.1 flammable, 2.2 non-flam, 2.3 toxic) | LPG, oxygen, chlorine |
| 3 | Flammable liquids | Petrol, diesel, paints, solvents |
| 4.1 | Flammable solids | Matches, sulphur |
| 4.2 | Spontaneously combustible | Phosphorus, oily seed cake |
| 4.3 | Water-reactive | Sodium, calcium carbide |
| 5.1 | Oxidisers | Hydrogen peroxide, ammonium nitrate |
| 5.2 | Organic peroxides | Often temperature-controlled |
| 6.1 | Toxic | Pesticides, cyanides |
| 6.2 | Infectious | Clinical waste |
| 7 | Radioactive | Industrial sources, medical isotopes |
| 8 | Corrosive | Acids, alkalis, hypochlorite |
| 9 | Misc (inc. lithium AND sodium-ion batteries) | Batteries, asbestos, env hazards |
A clean grid of all 11 ADR class diamonds, properly drawn with correct colours and symbols. Class 1 orange explosion symbol; 2.1 red flame; 2.2 green gas cylinder; 2.3 white skull; 3 red flame; 4.1 red/white striped; 4.2 white/red split; 4.3 blue flame; 5.1 yellow O with flame; 5.2 yellow/red split; 6.1 white skull; 6.2 white biohazard; 7 yellow trefoil; 8 black/white split; 9 black/white striped top with battery icon. Labelled clearly. Optional: Colin in the corner labelling them. Use as in-app reference visual.
Mixed loads: most restrictive code in any combination dictates the regime — segregation, tunnel codes, equipment.
3. The DGSA — non-optional for most
Required for most carriers, packers, fillers, loaders, and (since 2022) consignors.
GB exemptions are narrow: - All-LQ / all-EQ operations (full ADR 1.1.3 relief) - Truly occasional DG carriage — DfT interprets as 1-2 journeys/month maximum - Some small Class 7 loads under ADR 1.7.1.4
These exemptions don't apply to international carriage.
The DGSA produces: - An annual report (mandatory, retained 5 years) - Incident reports following any DG accident or serious infringement (retained 5 years) - Ongoing advice on procedures, training, vehicle approvals, route planning
Internal vs external: either works. External is normal for small/mid operators. Build in real access — yard visits, document review, phone availability.
Class 7 typically needs additional Class 7 module. Multimodal operators (road + rail + sea) need DGSA covering all modes used.
Find one: DfT publishes the official DGSA list at gov.uk.
4. Drivers — the ADR Driver Training Certificate
Photocard format, SQA-issued, 5 years validity.
Card specifies: - Classes (Class 1 separate; Class 7 separate; "core" covers most others) - Tank flag if applicable
Initial training: 5-7 days. Refresher: 3 days+ before expiry. Expired card = full initial training again — no shortcut.
Track every driver's: - ADR card class scope - ADR card tank flag - Expiry date (90-day forward look minimum)
ADR 2025 change: drivers transporting in Limited Quantities now require training. Many LQ operators previously ran without ADR-certified drivers — review your population.
5. Vehicle approval (VTG15)
| Vehicle type | Carries | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| EX/II | Class 1 explosives, lower-risk | EX/II vehicle approval |
| EX/III | Class 1 explosives, higher-risk | EX/III vehicle approval |
| FL | Tank — flammable liquids/gases | Tank flammable carriage |
| AT | Tank — other DG | Standard tank carriage |
| OX | Tank — hydrogen peroxide >60% | Specific to UN 2015 in tank |
| MEMU | Mobile Explosives Manufacturing Unit | Specialist mining/demolition |
| (none) | Packaged DG below tank thresholds | Standard rigid/artic |
Annual ADR test at ATF for tank/EX/MEMU vehicles. Same rigour as MOT plus ADR-specific items.
6. Equipment — the per-vehicle list
Fire extinguisher minimums (full ADR carriage, transport unit):
| Vehicle weight | Total minimum |
|---|---|
| ≤ 3.5t | 4kg (commonly 2 × 2kg) |
| 3.5-7.5t | 8kg, of which one ≥ 6kg |
| > 7.5t | 12kg, of which one ≥ 6kg, plus 2kg cab unit |
Common HGV spec: 2kg cab + 6kg + 6kg = 14kg.
Always per transport unit: - 1 wheel chock per vehicle (so 2 for artic / drawbar) - 2 self-standing warning signs - Eye-rinse (some exceptions for explosives/gas)
Per crew member: - Hi-vis vest, pocket lamp (ATEX where required), gloves, eye protection
For danger labels 3, 4.1, 4.3, 8, 9: - Drain seal (sheet, commercial seal, or absorbent sausage) - Shovel (plastic preferred) - Collecting container/bucket
Cross-section diagram of an HGV cab + lockers showing where each piece of equipment lives. Cab: small extinguisher, IIW, transport doc, vest, gloves, eye protection, torch. External locker(s): 6kg extinguishers, drain seal, shovel, bucket, eye-rinse, warning signs. Annotate with what's required for which class. Colin pointing to the locker saying "Check the dates monthly."
7. Documentation — three core docs, all in the cab
1. Transport document (sometimes "DGN") - UN number, Proper Shipping Name, class, packing group - Number/description of packages, total quantity - Consignor + consignee - Tunnel restriction code (where relevant) - In the cab from July 2025 (ADR 2025 change)
2. Instructions in Writing (IIW) - Standard 4-page UNECE model, current Version 4 - Provided by the carrier (you), in language(s) crew can read - Cannot be amended (text and translations are agreed) - Page 4 = mandatory equipment list - Pages 2-3 = guidance reminders by class - Page 1 = emergency procedure - In the cab. Locate it consistently.
3. ADR Driver Training Certificate — driver carries it.
Plus general haulage documentation (licence, DQC, tacho, walkaround, vehicle docs).
8. Placards and orange plates
Orange plates: front and rear. Plain orange for packaged. Numbered (HIN top, UN bottom) for tank/bulk.
Side placards: large class diamond, on tanks (4 sides) and certain packaged carriage.
On packages: class diamonds, UN, Proper Shipping Name, sub-hazards, LQ/EQ marks (consignor's job — verify on receipt).
When NOT carrying DG: placards removed or covered. Magnetic placards / covered fixed placards make this practical.
Empty uncleaned tanks: still placarded as last load until cleaned/decontaminated.
9. Tunnel restriction codes
Tunnel categories (the tunnel itself):
- A = no restriction
- B = most restrictive
- C = significant
- D = moderate
- E = least restrictive
Goods codes (column 15 in ADR Table A):
- (B) / (B/D) / (B/E) — strictest
- (C) / (C/D) / (C/E) — intermediate
- (D) / (D/E) — common, many flammables
- (E) — least restrictive
- (—) — no restriction
Format X/Y: first letter for bulk/tank, second for packaged.
UK examples: - Mersey: D (Mersey escort scheme applies for some loads) - Dartford: C - Blackwall: E - Plus 6 others — check gov.uk for current list
Mixed loads: most restrictive in the load applies to entire load.
LQ and EQ goods: not subject to tunnel restrictions.
Eurotunnel: separate (more restrictive) policy — plan separately.
Simple visual: tunnel categories A→E across the top with traffic-light style colouring (green at A, red at B). Below: examples of UK tunnels labelled with their categories. Side note: "(D/E) means: forbidden in D and E tunnels for bulk/tank, forbidden in E for packages." Colin pointing to it saying "Wrong tunnel + wrong load = catastrophe. Route round."
10. LQ / EQ — partial relief, not exemption
Limited Quantities (LQ) — ADR 3.4 - Specific LQ marking on packages - Max 30kg gross per package (some specifics) - Most ADR provisions relax - Driver training required from ADR 2025 (clarified) - Tunnel restrictions don't apply - DGSA may not be required (volume-dependent)
Excepted Quantities (EQ) — ADR 3.5 - Even smaller, more relief - Specific EQ marking - Quantity limits per inner/outer
1.1.3.6 small loads — relaxed regime below class-specific thresholds. Still need 2kg fire extinguisher minimum, basic documentation, driver awareness, packaging.
11. The 2025 changes
Transport document in cab (from July 2025). No longer just on packages. Roadside-enforced.
LQ driver training (ADR 8.2.3 clarified). LQ carriage now needs trained drivers.
Sodium-ion batteries — UN 3551-3558. New numbers. "Lithium battery mark" renamed "battery mark" to cover both.
11 new UN numbers. Including UN 3556 (Li-ion-powered vehicles), UN 3553 (disilane), UN 0514 (fire suppressant devices).
QR-code Tremcards accepted as supplementary — printed 4-page IIW remains mandatory.
Spill kits clarified for Class 3 carriage.
Equipment refresh urged generally for fire extinguishers, gloves, chocks, ATEX torches, absorbents.
DfT call for evidence on DGSA role closed January 2025 — outcome under review. Watch for changes.
12. ADR roadside check — what's different
Same general check items as general haulage, plus:
- ADR Driver Training Certificate (presence, validity, class scope, tank scope)
- Transport document (in cab, content correct per ADR 5.4.1, tunnel code present where applicable)
- IIW (in cab, current 4-page model, language driver understands)
- Vehicle approval VTG15 where required
- Placards/plates (correct, complete, current)
- Equipment per IIW Page 4
- Driver competence questions (UN numbers, hazards, fire drill)
Outcomes include verbal/FPN/prohibition (delayed or immediate) plus referral to HSE for prosecution under CDG 2009.
13. Incident response — what happens when
Driver follows IIW Page 1. Stop, isolate, no ignition sources, call 999, vest on, signs out, public away, only tackle minor incipient fires, evacuate if significant release, hand documents to first responders, call operator.
Operator response: - Verify driver/crew safety - Ensure 999 notified - Notify DGSA (mandatory — they write the formal incident report) - Insurer within 24 hours - Customer/consignor as relevant - Specialist environmental response contractor where applicable
Notifications (where applicable): - Police (RTA, hazard, scene management) - HSE (RIDDOR — most release/fire/injury incidents) - Environment Agency / SEPA / NRW / NIEA (release to env) - DGSA (internal formal report) - Insurer
DGSA incident report: retained 5 years.
Subsequent investigation: HSE follow-up, insurance, customer, possible prosecution, possible TC referral.
14. Building an ADR-ready operation
The general 5 principles all apply (single source of truth, forward-look, audit trail, role separation, document the abnormal). On top:
The DGSA relationship. Real engagement, regular contact, annual report, yard visits, available in incidents. The single best ADR investment.
Driver training matrix. Per driver: vocational + medical + DQC + ADR card class scope + tank flag + site inductions.
Vehicle competence matrix. Per vehicle: standard MOT + PMI + VTG15 + tank periodic + equipment compliance + placard condition.
Documentation discipline. Every consignment generates: transport doc with correct content, IIW Page 4 verified against equipment, tunnel code where applicable, multilateral agreement copy where applicable.
Pre-departure ADR check (on top of general walkaround): equipment, documents, placards, segregation, tunnel route.
Periodic drill. Real ADR incidents are rare. Tabletop the response. Walk the yard. Review the kit. The window between "never used this kit" and "need it now" is the moment.
15. ADR self-audit (quarterly)
Pick a random ADR consignment from the last 90 days. Find:
- Transport document (correct content)
- IIW issued for the journey
- Driver ADR certificate at the time
- Vehicle approval at the time (where applicable)
- Equipment record from the period
- DGSA awareness of the consignment type
- Placard/marking record (photo if you keep them)
- Tunnel restriction consideration in route plan
If any are missing → tighten.
Where to get more
- Comprehensive ADR guide — checkpod.co.uk
- gov.uk — search "ADR", "tunnel categories", "instructions in writing", "DGSA"
- HSE Manual for Carriage of Dangerous Goods — hse.gov.uk/cdg
- UNECE ADR 2025 — unece.org
- Your DGSA — first call for class-specific questions
CheckPod. Check it. Prove it. Drive it.
Built by people who actually drive the vehicles — including the ones with placards on.