Accepting dangerous goods vehicles for ADR or annual tests
Updated 30 November 2022
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
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The International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) is a specialist test for a vehicle carrying or having carried dangerous or hazardous goods in bulk by road. These inspections are normally completed in conjunction with an annual test.
Vehicles declared purged and safe for inspection
If a vehicle is declared purged and safe for inspection, it may be tested at any approved heavy goods authorised testing facility (ATF) authorised to test that vehicle type.
Vehicles laden or previously laden with dangerous goods
Vehicles can be tested at a restricted dangerous goods ATF if they are laden or previously laden with the following products.
| Substance | UN number | Additional testing requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | 3065 | Only with a hazard code of 30 or 2Y |
| Argon compressed | 1006 | |
| Butane | 1011 | The vehicle must be certified leak-free |
| Carbon dioxide | 1013 | |
| Compressed hydrogen | 1049 | The vehicle must be certified leak-free |
| Diesel fuel or gas oil or heating oil (light) | 1202 | |
| Elevated temperature liquid | 3256 or 3257 | |
| Fuel, aviation, turbine engine | 1863 or 1063 | |
| Helium and oxygen compressed | 1956 | |
| Helium compressed | 1046 | |
| Hydrocarbon gas mixture | 1965 | The vehicle must be certified leak-free |
| Kerosene | 1223 | |
| Liquefied argon | 1951 | |
| Methane or compressed natural gas | 1971 | The vehicle must be certified leak-free |
| Methane or refrigerated natural gas | 1972 | The vehicle must be certified leak-free |
| Nitrogen compressed | 1066 | |
| Nitrogen refrigerated liquid | 1977 | |
| Nitrous oxide | 1070 | |
| Oxygen refrigerated liquid | 1073 | |
| Propane | 1978 | The vehicle must be certified leak-free |
| Tars liquid | 1999 |
A vehicle can be tested at a dangerous goods ATF if:
- it is laden with any other dangerous substance not listed
- it has not been purged after previously carrying any other dangerous substance not listed
Find out what type of ATF your dangerous goods vehicle can be tested at
The term ‘vehicle’ includes trailers for the purpose of this diagram.