What are the rules for transporting dangerous goods (chemicals) on the road in the UK?

To transport dangerous goods in the UK and Europe, you need specific qualifications and must adhere to various regulations. Dangerous goods come in 9 different classes with some divisions and these are noted by the UN class number on the dangerous goods documentation carried by the driver, and on the lorry.

UN Class	Dangerous Goods	Division(s) if applicable	Classification
1	Explosives	1.1 – 1.6	Explosive
2	Gases	2.1	Flammable gas
		2.2	Non-flammable, non-toxic gas
		2.3	Toxic gas
3	Flammable liquid		Flammable liquid
4	Flammable solids	4.1	Flammable solid
		4.2	Spontaneously combustible substance
		4.3	Substance which emits flammable gas in contact with water
5	Oxidizers and organic peroxides	5.1	Oxidising substance
		5.2	Organic peroxide
6	Toxic and infectious substances	6.1	Toxic substance
		6.2	Infectious substance
7	Radioactive material		Radioactive material
8	Corrosive substances		Corrosive substance
9	Miscellaneous dangerous substances		Miscellaneous dangerous substances

What qualifications do you need?

1. ADR Certificate:
   • You’ll need to get an ADR (Accord Dangereux Routier) certificate. This is the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. This certificate is mandatory for drivers transporting dangerous goods in any European country.
   • The ADR certificate involves training courses covering different classes of dangerous goods, safe handling, and emergency procedures.
2. Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence):
   • You must do Driver CPC if you are driving a vehicle for commercial purposes. The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence is a qualification that all professional bus, coach, and lorry drivers must obtain and maintain in the UK.

Rules and regulations

1. Classification and documentation:
   • Dangerous goods must be classified, packaged, and labelled according to ADR regulations.
   • You must carry the appropriate transport documents, including the dangerous goods declaration and instructions in writing (commonly known as “Tremcards”) in the lorry.
2. Vehicle requirements:
   • Your lorry must be suitable for transporting the type of dangerous goods you are carrying whether it’s LPG bottles or mixed dangerous goods. You must be able to keep the dangerous goods secure and segregated as per the regulations (i.e. some dangerous goods cannot be transported together in the same vehicle).
   • You’ll need to ensure that the vehicle complies with ADR vehicle requirements, including appropriate construction, equipment, and approval certificates.
3. Signage and marking:
   • Display appropriate hazard warning panels (orange plates) on the front and rear of your vehicle; this is so that emergency services know what you are carrying.
   • Affix the correct hazard warning labels and placards on the cargo.
4. Safety equipment:
   • Carry suitable safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, personal protective equipment, and spill containment materials.
5. Security plan:
   • For certain high-risk dangerous goods, you must have a security plan in place to prevent unauthorised access and theft.

Additional requirements for Europe

1. ADR certificate validity:
   • Ensure your ADR certificate is valid in the countries you will be travelling through.
2. International regulations compliance:
   • Be aware of and comply with any additional regulations that might apply in specific countries.
3. Documentation:
   • Carry all necessary documentation, including the ADR certificate, transport documents, and vehicle approval certificates.

Steps to Get ADR Qualified

1. Find a training provider:
   • Locate an accredited training provider offering ADR courses. These courses cover different classes of dangerous goods, and you can choose the ones relevant to your transport needs.
2. Complete the training:
   • Attend the training sessions, which usually include both classroom instruction and practical assessments. ADR regulations can be challenging. There’s a lot of information to remember and understand, plus you’ll need to know how to understand the documents.
3. Pass the exams:
   • Successfully complete the exams to obtain your ADR certificate. It is valid for five years, so you will need to do refresher training and pass the exams again to renew it. Once you have passed, you’ll be issued a card. On the back of the card will be the classes you are authorised to carry.