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Quick reference — tunnels, documents, PPE
Print-friendly crib sheets. Summarised from ADR Parts 5, 7 and 8 — verify against your centre materials before the exam.
Tunnel restriction codes 8.6.3–8.6.4
Column 15 of Table A gives each UN entry’s code. On mixed loads use the most restrictive code. Show in transport document in capitals in brackets — e.g. (D/E).
| Code | Restriction summary |
|---|---|
(─) | No tunnel restriction (except possible special arrangements for UN 2919/3331). |
(B) | Forbidden through tunnels category B, C, D and E. |
(B1000C) | Explosives: if net explosive mass >1000 kg — forbidden B–E; ≤1000 kg — forbidden C–E. |
(B/D) | Tank: forbidden B–E. Packages: forbidden D and E. |
(B/E) | Tank: forbidden B–E. Packages: forbidden E only. |
(C) | Forbidden through tunnels C, D and E. |
(C5000D) | Explosives: if NEM >5000 kg — forbidden C–E; ≤5000 kg — forbidden D and E. |
(C/D) | Tank: forbidden C–E. Packages: forbidden D and E. |
(C/E) | Tank: forbidden C–E. Packages: forbidden E. |
(D) | Forbidden through tunnels D and E. |
(D/E) | Bulk/tank: forbidden D and E. Packages: forbidden E. |
(E) | Forbidden through tunnel category E. |
Tunnel categories (signage)
| Category | Sign | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A | No restriction sign | All dangerous goods allowed unless national rules say otherwise. |
| B | Panel letter B | Restrictions per assigned tunnel code. |
| C | Panel letter C | Stricter than B. |
| D | Panel letter D | Often blocks flammable bulk/tank loads. |
| E | Panel letter E | Most restrictive — many ADR loads prohibited. |
Documents checklist 5.4 · 8.1.2
| Document | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADR Driver Training Certificate (DTC) | Driver | Valid 5 years; show on demand. |
| Dangerous goods transport document | Cab | UN number, PSN, class, PG, quantity, consignor/consignee, tunnel code (5.4.1). |
| Instructions in writing (emergency procedures) | Cab | Multilingual emergency sheet per 5.4.3 — PPE, fire, spill, first aid. |
| Vehicle approval / tank certificate | Vehicle | When carrying tanks or EX/FL/AT vehicles. |
| Packing certificate / container packing certificate | Consignment | When required for containers (5.4.2). |
| Written procedures & equipment checklist | Cab | Fire extinguishers, wheel chocks, PPE per 8.1. |
Transport document essentials (5.4.1.1.1)
- UN number
- Proper shipping name
- Class / division with subsidiary hazard in brackets
- Packing group (when assigned)
- Tunnel restriction code — items (a)(b)(c)(d)(k) in order without interleaving
- Quantity, package description, consignor & consignee
Instructions in writing — emergency steps 5.4.3
Paraphrased crew actions from the multilingual emergency sheet carried in the cab. Official wording is on the prescribed document.
- Stop engine, apply brakes, chock wheels — keep ignition sources away.
- Warn other road users; mark the vehicle if safe to do so.
- Contact emergency services and give UN number, proper shipping name, class and quantity.
- Put on PPE from the vehicle kit before approaching the load.
- Fight fire only with correct extinguisher and only if trained and safe — otherwise evacuate upwind.
- Contain small spills if possible without risk; never mix incompatible substances.
- Provide first aid; remove contaminated clothing; await specialist help for toxic/infectious loads.
- Do not smoke or use mobile phones near flammable vapours or explosives.
PPE & equipment 8.1.4–8.1.5
Personal protection
- Chemical-resistant gloves and eye/face protection when loading/unloading.
- High-visibility vest when outside cab at depot.
- Respiratory protection if specified for substance (check transport document / SDS).
- Portable lighting apparatus (8.3.4) — explosion-proof where required.
Fire extinguishers by GVW 8.1.4.1
Dry powder (or equivalent). At least one extinguisher suitable for cab/engine fire.
| Max permissible mass | Min no. | Min total capacity | Cab/engine min | Other min (each) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 3.5 tonnes | 2 | 4 kg | 2 kg | 2 kg |
| > 3.5 t ≤ 7.5 t | 2 | 8 kg | 2 kg | 6 kg |
| > 7.5 tonnes | 2 | 12 kg | 2 kg | 6 kg |
Vehicle equipment checklist 8.1.5
- Wheel chocks suitable for vehicle mass (8.1.5).
- Two self-standing warning signs (folding triangles or equivalent).
- High-visibility warning vest for each crew member.
- Portable lighting apparatus (explosion-proof where required).
- Eye wash / rinsing water where substances require it.
- Drain seal and collecting equipment for spills (when applicable).
- Tools and equipment for minor repairs and securing the load.
- Copy of instructions in writing (5.4.3) in languages understood by crew.
Firefighting notes
- Minimum fire extinguishers on transport unit per 8.1.4 (capacity depends on vehicle mass).
- Know location and type — powder often for multi-class; never use water on Class 3 pool fires without training.
- 8.3.2 — crew may use appliances only if safe; await specialist services for large incidents.
Mixed loading & Class 1 compatibility 7.5.2 · 1.4
Simplified 7.5.2 matrix for exam revision — always use the full ADR segregation table for real loads. Full Ch. 7.5 text
| Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ≈ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| 2 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 4.1 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4.2 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4.3 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 5.1 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 5.2 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ≈ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 6.1 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 6.2 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 8 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 9 | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
✓ allowed · ✗ prohibited · ≈ same-class rules apply
Class 1 compatibility groups (summary)
| Group | May load with | Note |
|---|---|---|
B |
B, C, D, E | Articles — broad compatibility within group rules. |
C |
C, D, E | Propellant articles — not with A or B without table permission. |
D |
D, E | Secondary detonating — strict separation from mass explosion risk. |
E |
E | Very insensitive — limited mixing; check Table A special provisions. |
G |
G | Pyrotechnics — segregate from other Class 1 unless table allows. |
S |
All groups | Substances so packed/limited — treated as least restrictive when criteria met. |
Placarding & labels 5.2 · 5.3
- Packages: labels on each package (Ch. 5.2); placards on vehicle when aggregate quantities exceeded.
- Tanks & bulk: orange-coloured plates front/rear (5.3.2) with UN number and hazard ID.
- When multiple UN numbers: display most severe placards required for load.
- Elevated temperature mark (5.3.3) when substance carried hot.
- Environmentally hazardous mark (5.3.6) for UN 3077/3082 where applicable.
All hazard labels & placards Ch. 5.2 full text
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