Driver Responsibilities & Safety Equipment

What must a driver hold before carrying dangerous goods that require it by road?

• AA valid ADR driver training certificate for the relevant goods✓
• BA first aid at work certificate issued within the last month
• CA passenger-carrying vehicle (PCV) licence in category D or category D1 instead
• DAn advanced car driving certificate from a recognised scheme

Answer: Drivers carrying dangerous goods above the relevant thresholds must hold a valid ADR driver training certificate covering the classes and type of carriage (packages or tanks) concerned, alongside the correct vocational licence. A first aid, PCV or advanced car certificate does not authorise the carriage.

How long is an ADR driver training certificate normally valid before it must be renewed?

• AOne year
• BThree years
• CFive years✓
• DTen years

Answer: An ADR driver training certificate is valid for five years, after which the driver must complete refresher training and pass the assessment again to renew it. The other periods are incorrect.

Why should a driver know which dangerous goods are on the vehicle?

• ASo they can decide how fast to drive on the motorway network
• BSo they can set the correct air pressure in each of the vehicle's tyres
• CSo they can take the right precautions and respond correctly in an emergency✓
• DSo they can calculate the fuel needed for the return journey

Answer: Knowing the load lets the driver apply the correct precautions, use the right protective equipment and act appropriately if there is an incident. It is a safety matter, not a question of speed, tyre pressure or fuel planning.

Personal protective equipment for the crew is specified in which document?

• AThe vehicle registration document
• BThe instructions in writing✓
• CThe driver's tachograph record
• DThe annual test certificate

Answer: The instructions in writing list the personal and general protective equipment the crew must carry and use, such as a warning vest, eye protection and gloves. Registration, tachograph and test documents do not specify this equipment.

What should a driver do if they are not trained or equipped to deal safely with an incident?

• AAttempt to contain the whole incident alone before calling for help
• BProtect themselves, warn others and call the emergency services✓
• CLeave the scene immediately without warning anyone nearby
• DContinue the journey to the depot before reporting the problem

Answer: If action cannot be taken safely, the priority is to protect yourself, keep the public away, warn others and summon the emergency services, giving them the load information. Tackling it alone, leaving without warning, or driving on all increase the danger.

Why is smoking prohibited near a vehicle during the loading and unloading of dangerous goods?

• AIt would distract the driver from watching the loading gauge
• BIt could damage the paperwork that must stay clean and dry
• CA naked flame or spark could ignite flammable vapours or substances✓
• DIt might annoy the other drivers who are waiting around nearby at the loading depot

Answer: Smoking is prohibited near the vehicle and during handling because a naked flame or spark can ignite flammable vapours, which is a serious risk with many dangerous goods. The reason is fire and explosion prevention, not distraction, paperwork or courtesy.

General safety equipment such as a wheel chock and self-standing warning signs is required on the vehicle to do what?

• AHelp secure the vehicle and warn other road users in an incident✓
• BAllow the driver to legally carry a much heavier load than would normally be permitted
• CStand in for the orange plates whenever the vehicle is parked
• DLet the vehicle be parked overnight on a public road without supervision

Answer: Items such as a wheel chock and self-standing warning signs help immobilise the vehicle and alert other road users if it has to stop in an emergency. They do not increase permitted load, replace hazard plates or change parking rules.

A transport unit over 7.5 tonnes is carrying dangerous goods under full ADR. What fire extinguisher capacity is required?

• AAt least 6 kg in total, with one of at least 2 kg
• BAt least 12 kg in total, with one of at least 6 kg✓
• CAt least 8 kg in total, with one of at least 4 kg
• DAt least 20 kg in total, with two of at least 9 kg

Answer: For transport units over 7.5 tonnes, ADR requires portable extinguishers totalling at least 12 kg of dry powder (or equivalent), at least one of which must be 6 kg or more.

What is the minimum capacity of the extinguisher required for fighting a fire in the engine or cab?

• A9 kg of dry powder
• B2 kg of dry powder✓
• C6 kg of dry powder
• D1 kg of dry powder

Answer: Every transport unit carrying dangerous goods must have at least one portable extinguisher of at least 2 kg dry powder (or equivalent) suitable for a fire in the engine or cab.

What must a fire extinguisher carried under ADR show?

• AAn inspection seal and next inspection date✓
• BThe UN number of the goods it is intended to fight
• CA sticker showing the name of the vehicle's driver
• DA label showing it was bought within the last year

Answer: ADR requires portable fire extinguishers to be subject to periodic inspection, to have a seal showing they have not been used, and to be marked with the date of the next inspection.

How many wheel chocks does ADR require on each vehicle carrying dangerous goods?

• ANone at all
• BAt least one✓
• CAt least four
• DAt least three

Answer: Each transport unit must carry at least one wheel chock per vehicle, of a size suited to the vehicle's maximum mass and wheel diameter.

What warning equipment must a vehicle carrying dangerous goods under full ADR carry?

• AA set of four traffic cones
• BFour red flags for the load
• COne flashing beacon for the roof
• DTwo self-standing warning signs✓

Answer: ADR requires two self-standing warning signs, such as reflective cones or triangles, as part of the general equipment carried on the transport unit.

For which classes is eye-rinsing liquid NOT required as part of the vehicle equipment?

• AClasses 6.1 and 6.2
• BClasses 4.3 and 5.1
• CClasses 1 and 2✓
• DClasses 3 and 8

Answer: ADR requires eye-rinsing liquid for most loads, but it is not required for danger label numbers 1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3.

What personal equipment must each crew member have under ADR?

• AA hard hat, steel toecap boots and a full chemical protection suit
• BA warning vest, gloves, eye protection and a portable light✓
• CA first aid kit, a blanket and a bottle of drinking water
• DA breathing apparatus set with a full-face mask and air

Answer: Each crew member must have a warning vest, a portable lighting apparatus, a pair of protective gloves and eye protection. Some classes need extra equipment.

What must the portable lighting apparatus carried under ADR not have?

• AA rechargeable or replaceable battery
• BA switch that can be worked with gloves
• CA strap for carrying it over the shoulder
• DMetal surfaces that could produce sparks✓

Answer: ADR prohibits portable lighting apparatus with metal surfaces liable to produce sparks, because sparks could ignite flammable vapours.

When must an emergency escape mask be carried for each crew member?

• AWhen the load carries danger label 8 or 9
• BWhen the load weighs more than 10 tonnes
• CWhen the load carries danger label 3 or 4.1
• DWhen the load carries danger label 2.3 or 6.1✓

Answer: ADR requires an emergency escape mask for each crew member when the load includes goods with danger label 2.3 (toxic gas) or 6.1 (toxic substance).

For solids and liquids with danger labels 3, 4.1, 4.3, 8 or 9, what extra equipment is required?

• AA shovel, a drain seal and a collecting container✓
• BA tarpaulin, a set of straps and a wheel brace
• CA foam extinguisher, a hose and a spare battery
• DA breathing mask, a fire blanket and a spare tyre

Answer: For these labels ADR adds a shovel (where needed), a drain seal and a collecting container, to help contain spills and stop them entering drains.

Under ADR, who may travel in a vehicle carrying dangerous goods?

• AMembers of the vehicle crew✓
• BStaff of the consignee
• CThe driver's family members
• DAn adult with photo ID

Answer: ADR prohibits carrying passengers in transport units carrying dangerous goods. Only members of the vehicle crew may travel.

Which of these does ADR prohibit near a vehicle during handling of dangerous goods?

• AChecking the orange plates
• BUsing the vehicle's wheel chock
• CSmoking, including e-cigarettes✓
• DWearing a high-visibility vest

Answer: ADR prohibits smoking during handling operations in the vicinity of vehicles and inside them. The prohibition includes electronic cigarettes and similar devices.

May the driver open a package of dangerous goods during the journey?

• AYes, provided they wear gloves and eye protection
• BYes, to check the contents match the documents
• CYes, if the consignee has asked for it to be done
• DCrew members are prohibited from opening packages✓

Answer: ADR prohibits members of the vehicle crew from opening a package containing dangerous goods.

What must the driver do whenever a vehicle carrying dangerous goods is parked?

• AApply the parking brake✓
• BRemove the orange plates
• COpen the load doors
• DLeave the engine idling

Answer: ADR states that no transport unit carrying dangerous goods may be parked without its parking brake applied.

A driver passes the ADR refresher exam in the 12 months before their certificate expires. When does the new certificate run from?

• AThe first day of the month after the exam
• BThe expiry date of the old certificate✓
• CThe date of the refresher exam itself
• DThe date the new card is printed

Answer: If the refresher exam is passed within the 12 months before expiry, the new five-year validity starts from the expiry date of the previous certificate, so no time is lost.

Which of these is an ADR driver training specialisation course, taken in addition to the basic course?

• ACarriage by rail
• BCarriage of food
• CCarriage of livestock
• DCarriage in tanks✓

Answer: The specialisation courses cover carriage in tanks, carriage of Class 1 explosives and carriage of Class 7 radioactive material, and are taken after the basic course.

Under ADR, who must make sure that the equipment listed in the instructions in writing is on board the vehicle?

• AThe packer
• BThe manufacturer
• CThe carrier✓
• DThe consignee

Answer: ADR sets out carrier duties that include checking the vehicle is not overloaded, that danger labels and plates are in place and that the equipment prescribed in the instructions in writing is on board.

What is the role of a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA)?

• ATo help an undertaking comply with dangerous goods rules✓
• BTo inspect and approve every tanker before each journey
• CTo escort each dangerous goods vehicle on the road
• DTo issue ADR driver training certificates to drivers

Answer: Undertakings whose activities include the carriage, packing, loading, filling or unloading of dangerous goods must appoint a DGSA to help prevent risks and ensure compliance.

Under ADR chapter 1.3, who must be trained?

• AStaff whose duties concern the carriage of dangerous goods✓
• BEvery employee of a company, including office staff
• CMembers of the public who live near a depot
• DDrivers of goods vehicles over 44 tonnes in any industry sector

Answer: ADR requires persons employed by the participants whose duties concern the carriage of dangerous goods to be trained in the requirements appropriate to their responsibilities.