ADR Dangerous Goods Transport
All 9 ADR classes (incl. sub-classes), tunnel categories A–E, orange panels & marking, LQ limited quantities, accompanying documents, DGSA obligation, vehicle equipment and ADR certificate – fully updated according to ADR 2025.
ADR Classes 1–9 (incl. sub-classes): Overview
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Explosive substances & articles |
| 2 | Gases |
| 3 | Flammable liquids |
| 4.1 | Flammable solids |
| 4.2 | Substances liable to spontaneous combustion |
| 4.3 | Substances which emit flammable gases when in contact with water |
| 5.1 | Oxidising substances |
| 5.2 | Organic peroxides |
| 6.1 | Toxic substances |
| 6.2 | Infectious substances |
| 7 | Radioactive material |
| 8 | Corrosive substances |
| 9 | Miscellaneous dangerous substances & articles |
Tunnel Categories A–E
| Cat. | Restriction |
|---|---|
| A | No restrictions |
| B | Class 1 (major explosion risk) prohibited |
| C | Major explosion and fire risk prohibitions |
| D | All goods that can cause explosions or major fires prohibited |
| E | All dangerous goods prohibited (few exceptions only) |
Mandatory ADR Vehicle Equipment
Always required (all ADR transport)
- Fire extinguisher (cabin + cargo)
- Warning triangle (min. 1 per ADR 8.1.5; DE/AT/CH: 2 pieces)
- Torch (non-sparking)
- High-vis vest (for each driver)
- Transport documents (ADR)
- ADR driver certificate
Class/substance-specific
- Protective gloves (classes 3, 4, 5, 6, 8)
- Safety goggles (classes 3, 5.1, 6.1, 8)
- Eye-wash liquid (classes 6.1, 8)
- Shovel/collection container (liquids)
- Respirator (class 2 toxic gases, class 6.2)
ADR Certificate (Driver Training)
| Course type | Duration | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Basic course | 3 days | 5 Jahre |
| Specialist course tank transport | 1.5 days | 5 Jahre |
| Specialist course class 1 (explosives) | 1.5 days | 5 Jahre |
| Specialist course class 7 (radioactive) | 1.5 days | 5 Jahre |
| Renewal course | 2 days + 0.5 per specialist | Further 5 years |
ADR 2025 – Key Changes (in force from 01.01.2025)
Transitional period: ADR 2023 could continue to be applied until 30 June 2025.
🔋 New UN numbers sodium-ion batteries
- ·UN 3551: Loose sodium-ion batteries (more thermally stable than Li-ion)
- ·UN 3552: Sodium-ion batteries packed with equipment
🚗 New UN numbers electric vehicles
- ·UN 3556: Vehicles with lithium-ion propulsion
- ·UN 3557: Vehicles with lithium-metal propulsion
📋 New test summary obligation (UN 38.3.5)
- ·Manufacturers and distributors of cells/batteries (after 30.06.2003) must provide test summary
- ·Exception: button cells in equipment, prototypes, small series
🏷️ Marking changes
- ·Previous lithium battery marking now also applies to sodium-ion
- ·New packing instructions P 909–912 for damaged batteries
Marking Obligations – Orange Panels, Hazard Labels & Placards
| Element | Size |
|---|---|
| Hazard label | 100 × 100 mm |
| Placard (large label) | 250 × 250 mm |
| Orange panel (blank) | 400 × 300 mm |
| Orange panel (with hazard ID number) | 400 × 300 mm |
* The Kemler number (also Hazard Identification Number, HIN) indicates the hazard characteristics: first digit = primary hazard, second/third digit = secondary hazard. Double digits (e.g. 33) indicate increased intensity.
LQ – Limited Quantities: Simplified ADR Rules
Many dangerous goods may be transported in small quantities (LQ = Limited Quantity) with greatly simplified regulations. Basis: ADR Chapter 3.4. No type-tested packaging required, no ADR certificate for driver required.
✅ What is waived for LQ
- No ADR training certificate required for driver
- No type-tested (UN-certified) packaging
- No orange panels on vehicle
- No written instructions (emergency card)
⚠️ What still applies for LQ
- →LQ symbol (black-white diamond) mandatory on each package
- →Max. 30 kg gross per package
- →Inner packaging: quantity limit per substance per ADR table column 7a
- →Vehicles >12 t gross weight must be marked with LQ symbol
Typical LQ goods: aerosol cans, paints & varnishes in small containers, batteries, household cleaners, disinfectants, adhesives. Always check column 7a in the ADR table – not every substance has an LQ exemption.
Accompanying Documents & Written Instructions (ADR 5.4)
| Document | Required |
|---|---|
| Transport document (ADR 5.4.1) | |
| Written instructions (ADR 5.4.3) | |
| ADR driver training certificate | |
| ADR vehicle approval certificate | Partly |
| Photo ID (each crew member) |
Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) – Company Obligation
Every company involved in dangerous goods transport (sender, carrier, consignee, loader, unloader, packer) must appoint a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) – unless an exemption applies.
DGSA exemptions
- Exclusively driver role (driver duties only)
- Sender/unloader with ≤ 50 t/year (except cat. 0 & radioactive)
- Transport exclusively of exempted goods per ADR ch. 3.3–3.5
DGSA duties
- →Monitoring compliance with ADR regulations
- →Annual report to company management
- →Prepare accident reports and report to competent authority (DE: BALM, CH: ASTRA/Police)
- →Qualify for training, exam every 5 years