NZ Dangerous Goods (D) Endorsement cheat sheet

Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods 2005 (the DG Rule) is made under the Land Transport Act 1998; it sets duties for consignors, loaders, drivers and operators, and applies to transport on roads.

Duties are allocated by role: consignor (correct classification, packaging, documentation), loader (correct loading and segregation), driver (vehicle, placarding, documentation, emergency response), operator (training, vehicle suitability, records).

A D endorsement on a driver licence is required to drive a vehicle carrying dangerous goods in quantities that require placarding under the DG Rule; it is issued by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency via a course and test.

Dangerous goods for transport are classified to the UN Model Regulations as adopted in NZ; the 9 classes (1 explosives to 9 miscellaneous) and their divisions drive packaging, segregation and placarding decisions.

Dangerous goods licences (DG licences) are issued to vehicles/operators for certain higher-risk goods; the DG Rule and the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 overlap, with HSNO controls applying to hazardous substances.

Segregation and loading requirements follow the DG Rule and NZS 5433; where a specific standard or the DG Rule is more stringent, the more stringent requirement applies.

Documentation must be carried and produced on demand to a Police officer or enforcement officer; failure to do so is an offence under the Land Transport Act and DG Rule.

Emergency information (such as an emergency response guide or equivalent) must be carried for the goods being transported, and the driver must know how to use it.

Penalties for breaches include infringement offences, fines and, for serious breaches, prosecution; the driver can be liable personally as well as the operator.

UN classes: 1 explosives, 2 gases, 3 flammable liquids, 4 flammable solids/spontaneously combustible/dangerous when wet, 5 oxidisers/organic peroxides, 6 toxic/infectious, 7 radioactive, 8 corrosive, 9 miscellaneous.

Packing group (PG) I, II or III indicates degree of danger within a class (I greatest); PG is assigned per class and substance, not to all classes (e.g. Class 2, 7 and some others are not PG-assigned).

A UN number (4 digits) identifies the substance; the proper shipping name (PSN) must be used on documentation, not trade names.

Class 1 explosives are assigned compatibility groups (A–S) and divisions 1.1–1.6; detonators and explosives have specific transport controls.

Class 7 radioactive: transport is governed by the IAEA regulations as applied in NZ; category labels (I-WHITE, II-YELLOW, III-YELLOW) reflect surface dose rate and transport index.

The dangerous goods declaration/document must include: consignor and consignee, UN number, PSN, class/division, PG (if any), number and kind of packages, total quantity, and emergency contact.

A DG document is not required for some limited quantities/excepted quantities and for certain consumer quantities; check the DG Rule thresholds before assuming documentation is needed.

Marine pollutants and environmentally hazardous substances are identified in Class 9 and require the appropriate mark on packages and documentation.

If the substance is not listed by name, use the generic or N.O.S. entry with the appropriate technical name in brackets, e.g. 'PAINT RELATED MATERIAL (including paint thinning or reducing compound)'.

Placards (danger signs) are required on vehicles carrying dangerous goods above the DG Rule thresholds; the placard shows the class diamond and, for many goods, the UN number.

Placard size and layout: danger signs are diamond-shaped, generally 250 mm x 250 mm (smaller sizes permitted in limited cases); they must be clearly visible from the front, rear and both sides as required.

For a vehicle carrying goods of more than one class, placards for each class carried must be displayed; the UN number placard is used for single-substance loads.

Placards must be removed or covered when the vehicle no longer carries the goods; leaving placards on an empty vehicle is a breach.

Packages must be marked with the UN number and PSN (or the proper shipping name) and the class label; labels are diamond-shaped and colour-coded by class.

The DG document (or a copy) must be carried in the cab and be readily available; the emergency response information must be carried with it.

Placards and labels must be legible, in good condition, and not obscured by dirt, load or fittings; replace damaged placards.

Some loads (e.g. limited quantities) use the 'limited quantity' mark (a diamond with 'LQ' or the appropriate mark) rather than full placards; know the threshold for your load.

Vehicles carrying Class 1 or Class 7 goods have additional placarding/marking requirements beyond the standard class placards.

Segregation rule: keep incompatible classes apart (e.g. oxidisers away from flammables, acids away from cyanides/alkalis); use the segregation table in the DG Rule/NZS 5433 to decide 'away from', 'separated from' or 'segregated from'.

Load must be secured so it cannot move, shift or fall; use lashings, load restraints or chocks rated for the load, and check restraints before departure and at stops.

Packages must be upright as marked (arrows), with closures up, and must not be loaded so that labels or markings are hidden.

Vehicle must be suitable: enclosed or covered where required, ventilated for gases/vapours, and free of incompatible residues; check for leaks, corrosion and damaged seals.

Do not load dangerous goods with food, food packaging or animal feed where contamination is possible; separate personal items from the load.

For Class 2 gases, cylinders must be secured upright, valves protected, and the vehicle ventilated; for Class 3, keep away from heat and ignition sources.

Mixed loads: heavier packages at the bottom, no overloading of axles, and load within the vehicle's GVM and axle ratings.

Before loading, check the DG document matches the goods, packaging is undamaged and marked, and the vehicle is fit for the class being carried.

After unloading, remove all dangerous goods residues, clean the deck, and remove/cover placards before the vehicle is used for other loads.

In an incident: stop safely, switch off engine, warn other traffic, and keep people upwind and away; do not smoke or create ignition sources.

Use the emergency information carried with the DG document to identify the substance, its hazards and the recommended first response; call 111 for fire, injury or a significant spill.

For a spill: contain if safe (use spill kit, earth or absorbent), prevent entry to drains/waterways, and do not attempt clean-up beyond your training and equipment.

Report incidents to the operator and emergency services; record what happened, the substance, UN number, quantity and any injuries as soon as it is safe.

Personal protection: use gloves, eye protection and any PPE specified for the goods; avoid breathing vapours and stay clear of confined spaces.

If a vehicle carrying placarded goods is involved in a crash, tell emergency services the class and UN number and provide the DG document; do not move injured people unless there is immediate danger.

Driver responsibilities: hold a current D endorsement, carry the DG document and emergency information, ensure placards are correct, and not leave a placarded vehicle unattended where required.

Do not park a placarded vehicle near heat, ignition sources or in a confined space; follow parking restrictions for dangerous goods.

After an incident, the vehicle must not return to service until checked for damage, leaks and contamination, and placards corrected.