Ireland ADR Driver cheat sheet

ADR scope: applies to road carriage of dangerous goods between Contracting Parties; Irish domestic carriage is governed by the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations, which apply ADR Annexes A and B (including the European Agreement's technical annexes as amended).

Nine hazard classes: 1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable liquids, 4 flammable solids/spontaneously combustible/water-reactive, 5 oxidizers/organic peroxides, 6 toxic/infectious, 7 radioactive, 8 corrosives, 9 miscellaneous. Class determines packing, labelling, and vehicle requirements.

UN number: four-digit identifier (e.g. UN 1203 petrol, UN 1090 acetone, UN 1789 hydrochloric acid). Must appear on the transport document, orange plates (where required), and package markings.

Proper shipping name: the official name in ADR Table A, column (2). Use it exactly on the transport document; trade names alone are not permitted.

Packing group: PG I (high danger), PG II (medium), PG III (low) applies to classes 3, 4, 5, 6.1, 8 and some class 9. PG assigned in ADR column (5); affects packaging and small-load thresholds.

Limited quantity (LQ): small inner packagings within ADR 3.4 limits; packages marked with the LQ mark (black diamond with 'Y' or 'LQ'). LQ consignments are exempt from most ADR requirements but transport document and driver training still apply.

Excepted quantity (EQ): ADR 3.5; very small quantities in inner packagings marked with the EQ mark. Exempt from most provisions, but the driver must still be trained and the vehicle must comply with basic safety.

Transport document: required for most dangerous goods consignments; must state UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, number and description of packages, total quantity, consignor/consignee, and tunnel restriction code where applicable.

Tunnel restriction codes (ADR 8.6): A (most restrictive) to E (least restrictive). Driver must check the code in column (15) of Table A against the route's tunnel category and, where prohibited, use an alternative route.

Orange plates: plain orange plate front and rear for vehicles carrying dangerous goods in packages above LQ thresholds; hazard identification number (HIN, Kemler code) on the rear plate for tank vehicles and bulk. Plates must be removed or covered when the vehicle no longer carries dangerous goods.

Fire extinguishers: minimum one 2 kg dry powder (or equivalent) for the engine/ cab, plus one 6 kg dry powder (or equivalent) for the load, for vehicles over 3.5 t; smaller vehicles may carry 2 kg + 2 kg depending on the load. Extinguishers must be sealed and inspected at intervals not exceeding one year.

Additional equipment: wheel chocks, warning triangle, high-visibility vest, torch, pair of gloves, eye protection, and a suitable spill kit (absorbent, shovel, container). Equipment must be on board and serviceable.

ADR driver training certificate: obtained after basic training and passing an SQA/approved examination; valid 5 years; must be carried on the vehicle and produced on request to An Garda Síochána or RSA enforcement.

Specialist training: tanker drivers require additional tank training; drivers of class 1 (explosives) and class 7 (radioactive) require class-specific endorsements on the ADR certificate.

Vehicle marking: ADR certificate of approval (ADR 9) required for tank vehicles and certain vehicles carrying class 1 or 7; ordinary goods vehicles carrying packaged dangerous goods do not need an ADR approval certificate.

Prohibition on smoking and naked flames: no smoking in or near vehicles carrying dangerous goods; engine must be switched off during loading/unloading unless required for pump operation.

Speed limits: the general road speed limits apply; ADR does not set a separate limit, but the driver must adapt speed to load, weather, and road conditions; tunnel restrictions may impose additional route constraints.

Emergency information: the transport document must include a 24-hour emergency contact number where required by national rules; drivers must know how to contact the consignor/consignee and emergency services (999/112).