Carriage modes — Core, Tank & Packages

Core (basic) module

ADR 1.3 · 8.2.1

Required for every ADR driver. Covers general awareness of all hazard classes, safety duties, documentation, placarding basics, emergency response, tunnel codes, fire extinguishers and PPE.

• Understand your role in the transport chain — consignor, carrier, driver obligations (Part 1 Ch. 1.4).
• Check transport document matches labels/placards before departure (Part 5).
• Carry instructions in writing — multilingual emergency sheet (5.4.3).
• Know when vehicle placarding is required vs package labels only.
• Driver CPC professional drivers: ADR is separate from CPC but both are part of compliance culture.

Tank specialisation

ADR 4.3 · 7.4 · 5.3.2

For drivers of fixed tanks (tank-vehicles), demountable tanks and tank-containers with metallic shells. Additional equipment, filling limits, surge, grounding and cleaning rules.

• Orange plates front and rear with UN number and hazard identification (5.3.2).
• Class 2 tank provisions — filling ratios, pressure relief (4.3.3).
• Classes 1 and 3–9 tank provisions (4.3.4) — product-specific equipment.
• After unload: cleaning requirements (7.5.8) — especially Class 3/8 residues.
• Tunnel codes often stricter for tank carriage — e.g. (B/D) forbids tanks through B–E but packages only D and E.

Packages & IBCs

ADR 4.1 · 5.2 · 7.2

Drums, boxes, jerricans, IBCs and large packagings on flatbeds, curtainsiders and in containers. Marking and labelling on each package; vehicle placarding when aggregate thresholds exceeded.

• Packing instructions (4.1.4) — P codes match UN entries in Table A.
• Package marks: UN number, proper shipping name where required (5.2.1).
• Hazard labels on packages (5.2.2) — primary and subsidiary.
• Mixed loading prohibitions (7.5.2) — segregation table is exam favourite.
• Limited quantities (3.4) — reduced marking; tunnel E relief possible ≤8 t gross (8.6.4 Note 2).

Class 1 module (explosives)

ADR 2.2.1 · 4.1.5

Additional training for drivers carrying explosives. Compatibility groups, strict mixed loading, MEMUs, high-consequence goods and explosive-specific tunnel codes (B1000C, C5000D).

Class 7 module (radioactive)

ADR 1.7 · 2.2.7 · 5.1.5

Radiation protection, categories, transport index, segregation distances and emergency response for radioactive consignments.