Documentation & Marking

What information does the four-figure UN number on a package or vehicle identify?

• AThe maximum speed at which the vehicle may be driven while carrying the load
• BThe specific dangerous substance or article being carried✓
• CThe date on which the driver's ADR certificate expires and must be renewed
• DThe total combined weight of the whole load including the weight of the vehicle itself

Answer: The UN number is a four-digit code that identifies the particular dangerous substance or article, so responders and checkers know exactly what is present. It is not a speed, expiry date or weight.

What is the main purpose of the instructions in writing carried in the vehicle cab?

• ATo record the driver's daily hours for enforcement checks
• BTo tell the crew what to do in an accident or emergency involving the load✓
• CTo list the planned fuel stops and rest breaks along the delivery route
• DTo show the customer's invoice for the goods being carried

Answer: The instructions in writing (previously the Tremcard) set out the actions the crew should take in an emergency and the protective equipment to use. They are supplied by the carrier and kept readily available in the cab, and are unrelated to hours, routing or invoicing.

Where must orange-coloured plates normally be displayed on a vehicle carrying dangerous goods in a way that requires them?

• AAt the front and the rear of the vehicle✓
• BOn the driver's door and on the inside of the cab
• COnly on the nearside of the vehicle at the rear
• DOn the top surface of the load where it can be seen from above

Answer: Where marking is required, plain orange plates (or plates showing hazard and UN numbers for tanks and bulk) are displayed at the front and rear so the vehicle is identifiable from either end. Door, single-side or top placement would not meet the requirement.

Which document must accompany a load of dangerous goods to describe what is being carried?

• AThe vehicle's annual roadworthiness test certificate
• BThe driver's medical examination report
• CThe dangerous goods transport document✓
• DThe manufacturer's marketing brochure for the goods

Answer: The transport document describes the dangerous goods, including UN number, proper shipping name, class and quantity, so everyone in the chain knows the load. A test certificate, medical report or brochure does not serve this purpose.

On a hazard identification (orange) plate for a tank, what does the upper number represent?

• AThe total number of separate packages that have been loaded onto the vehicle for carriage
• BThe telephone number to call in the event of a spillage
• CThe year in which the tank was last inspected, tested and certified for use
• DThe hazard identification number, describing the nature of the danger✓

Answer: On a tank or bulk orange plate the upper number is the hazard identification number (sometimes called the Kemler code), indicating the type and degree of danger, and the lower number is the UN number. It is not a package count, phone number or inspection date.

Who is responsible for providing the instructions in writing to the driver?

• AThe carrier (the transport operator)✓
• BThe driver, who must write them before each journey
• CThe fire and rescue service in the delivery area
• DThe customer receiving the goods at the destination

Answer: The carrier must provide the instructions in writing, in a language each crew member can read and understand, before the journey. The driver does not author them, and they do not come from the emergency services or the customer.

Why must the correct proper shipping name be shown for the goods?

• ASo the goods can be advertised more effectively to buyers
• BSo the driver can claim a higher rate of pay for the load
• CSo the vehicle and driver can be exempted from observing any speed limit
• DSo the substance is accurately identified for handling and emergency response✓

Answer: The proper shipping name accurately identifies the substance so it is handled correctly and responders know what they are dealing with in an emergency. It has nothing to do with advertising, pay or speed limits.

What is the standard size of an orange-coloured plate?

• A40 cm wide by 30 cm high✓
• B30 cm wide by 30 cm high
• C60 cm wide by 40 cm high
• D25 cm wide by 25 cm high

Answer: ADR sets orange-coloured plates at 40 cm wide and 30 cm high, with a black border. Smaller sizes are allowed only where the vehicle has insufficient space.

What is the standard minimum size of a placard displayed on a vehicle or tank?

• A100 mm by 100 mm
• B150 mm by 150 mm
• C250 mm by 250 mm✓
• D400 mm by 300 mm

Answer: Placards are enlarged danger labels of at least 250 mm by 250 mm. Package labels are normally at least 100 mm by 100 mm.

On an orange plate, what does an 'X' before the hazard identification number mean?

• AThe substance is exempt from placarding
• BThe substance reacts dangerously with water✓
• CThe substance is an explosive in division 1.1
• DThe substance is carried at a high temperature

Answer: An X in front of the hazard identification number means the substance reacts dangerously with water, so water must be used only with the approval of experts.

In a hazard identification number, what does doubling a figure, such as 33, show?

• AThat the load is carried in two tanks
• BThat the substance is twice the weight
• CThat the particular hazard is intensified✓
• DThat two different substances are carried

Answer: Doubling a figure indicates an intensification of that hazard. For example, 3 means flammability, and 33 means a highly flammable liquid.

What does hazard identification number 80 indicate?

• AA flammable gas
• BA flammable liquid
• CA toxic substance
• DA corrosive substance✓

Answer: The first figure 8 indicates corrosivity, and a 0 as the second figure means there is no secondary hazard to indicate.

What does hazard identification number 23 indicate?

• AAn oxidising solid
• BA flammable gas✓
• CA corrosive gas
• DA toxic liquid

Answer: The first figure 2 means emission of gas due to pressure or reaction, and the 3 indicates flammability, giving a flammable gas.

On an orange plate showing two numbers, what does the lower number show?

• AThe UN number of the substance✓
• BThe packing group of the load
• CThe emergency phone number
• DThe weight of the load in kg

Answer: The lower number is the four-digit UN number identifying the substance. The upper number is the hazard identification number.

A vehicle is carrying packages of Class 3 goods above the exemption thresholds. What vehicle marking does ADR require?

• APlacards on both sides and at the rear
• BPlain orange plates at each end✓
• CNumbered orange plates on each side
• DA single placard on the rear doors

Answer: For packages, vehicles display plain orange plates at the front and rear. Placards on the vehicle are required for packages only of Class 1 and Class 7.

Where must placards be displayed on a road tanker carrying dangerous goods?

• AOn the cab roof
• BOn both sides and at the rear✓
• CAt the front and at the rear of the tank
• DOn the offside

Answer: ADR requires placards to be affixed to both sides and the rear of tank vehicles, in addition to the orange plates.

A tanker carries a single dangerous substance. What must the orange plates on the sides of each tank or compartment show?

• AThe mass of the substance loaded into each tank compartment
• BThe hazard identification number and the UN number✓
• CThe tunnel restriction code for the substance
• DThe name and address of the consignor of the load

Answer: Tank vehicles show orange plates with the hazard identification number and the UN number on the sides of each tank or compartment.

A tanker has been emptied but not cleaned. What happens to its orange plates and placards?

• AThey are covered, as the tank is now treated as empty
• BThey are replaced with plates showing the word EMPTY
• CThey stay displayed until it is cleaned✓
• DThey must be removed as soon as the tank is emptied

Answer: Empty uncleaned tanks may still contain residues and vapours, so ADR requires the plates and placards to remain displayed until the tank has been cleaned or degassed.

Which of these must appear in the dangerous goods transport document?

• AThe UN number, preceded by the letters 'UN'✓
• BThe make and model of the vehicle being used
• CThe price paid for the goods by the consignee
• DThe driver's home address and date of birth

Answer: ADR requires the transport document to include the UN number preceded by 'UN', the proper shipping name, the label model numbers, the packing group, the number and description of packages, the total quantity, and the consignor and consignee.

A transport document reads 'UN 1203 PETROL, 3, II, (D/E)'. What does 'II' show?

• AThe class of the goods
• BThe packing group✓
• CThe number of drums
• DThe tank compartment

Answer: The entry lists the UN number, the proper shipping name, the label model number (3), the packing group (II) and, in brackets, the tunnel restriction code.

In what language must the instructions in writing be provided?

• AEnglish, whatever the crew members' own languages
• BThe language of the consignee of the goods
• CThe official language of the country of loading
• DOne each crew member can read and understand✓

Answer: ADR requires the carrier to provide the instructions in writing in a language that each member of the vehicle crew can read and understand, before the journey starts.

Where must the instructions in writing be kept during the journey?

• AIn the load area, next to the dangerous goods
• BWith the transport document at the depot
• CWithin easy reach in the driver's cab✓
• DLocked in a box on the vehicle chassis

Answer: ADR requires the instructions in writing to be kept in the vehicle cab and readily available, so the crew can refer to them in an emergency.

For each danger label, what do the instructions in writing describe?

• AThe number of packages of each type that can be loaded
• BThe name of the person who packed the goods for that label
• CHazard characteristics and extra crew guidance✓
• DThe price and the value of the goods covered by that label

Answer: The instructions in writing include a page describing, for each danger label, the hazard characteristics and additional guidance for the crew, alongside the general emergency actions.

During carriage of dangerous goods, what must each member of the vehicle crew carry?

• ATheir original birth certificate
• BA letter from their GP confirming fitness
• CA copy of the vehicle's insurance
• DIdentification that includes their photograph✓

Answer: ADR requires each member of the vehicle crew to carry a means of identification that includes their photograph during the carriage of dangerous goods.

Which tank vehicles need an ADR certificate of approval, and how long is it valid?

• AEach vehicle on an ADR route; ten years
• BGoods vehicles over 3.5 t; five years
• CVehicles such as FL and AT tankers; one year✓
• DVehicles carrying explosives; two years

Answer: Vehicles such as FL, AT and EX/II types must have an ADR certificate of approval showing they meet the construction requirements. It is valid for no more than one year and is renewed after an annual inspection.

What do orientation arrows on a package of dangerous goods indicate?

• AThe exit to use in an emergency
• BThe direction the vehicle must travel
• CThe side on which the label is fixed
• DThe way up the package must be kept✓

Answer: Orientation arrows show the correct upright position, for example for combination packagings containing liquids, and the package must be loaded and carried that way up.