ADR instructions in writing: template, all 4 pages explained and PDF download (2025)
ADR instructions in writing are a four-page document that every driver carrying dangerous goods in a vehicle displaying orange plates must keep in the cab, within easy reach. They set out the order of emergency actions after an accident, a table of hazard classes with guidance for each class and a list of the protective equipment the vehicle must carry. If you haul waste covered by ADR, also see how hazardous waste transport works.
This article does more than give you a downloadable PDF template of the ADR instructions in writing. Above all, it explains each page: what it contains, what it means and how to use it in practice. You will also find out whether you need to print new instructions in 2025 and which ADR 2025 changes affect the documents carried in the driver’s cab.
What are ADR instructions in writing and who needs them?
ADR instructions in writing are a document whose model is laid down in section 5.4.3.4 of the ADR Agreement. The carrier (the employer or haulage company) must hand it to the driver before every carriage of dangerous goods that requires orange plates on the vehicle. This duty comes directly from ADR 5.4.3.2: it is the carrier, not the driver, who is responsible for supplying up-to-date instructions.
A few practical facts worth knowing before you print the document and hand it to the crew:
One set of instructions for the whole load. However many different classes of dangerous goods travel in the same vehicle, a single copy of the ADR instructions in writing is enough. This is a significant change from the rules in force before 2009, when each substance required its own instructions.
Colour is mandatory. ADR instructions in writing must be printed in colour. A black-and-white version does not meet the requirements, because the danger labels of the classes are told apart by colour.
A4 or A3 format. The ADR Agreement does not prescribe a specific format, so both an A4 printout on four separate sheets and a double-sided A3 sheet folded to A4 are accepted. Good practice is to use heavy paper or laminate the pages, as the instructions stay in the cab for years.
The crew’s language. ADR instructions in writing must be in a language that every member of the vehicle crew can read and understand. With foreign drivers, it is the carrier’s duty to provide the document in their language.
When the instructions are not required. For carriage covered by ADR exemptions that does not require orange plates on the vehicle (e.g. small quantities below the thresholds in section 1.1.3), you do not need to carry ADR instructions in writing.
The four pages of ADR instructions in writing: what does each one contain?
The model of ADR instructions in writing has exactly 4 pages, no more and no less. This follows from section 5.4.3.4 of the ADR Agreement. Each page has a different function and speaks to the driver in a different situation.
Page 1: actions in the event of an accident or emergency
Page one is a list of eleven actions the driver should take, in order of priority, immediately after the incident. It applies to every class of dangerous goods without exception.
The actions are as follows: stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and disconnect the battery with the master switch; avoid all sources of ignition, do not smoke or use any electrical equipment; inform the emergency services, giving as much information as possible about the goods and the incident; put on the warning vest and place the warning signs; keep the transport documents ready for the responders; stay upwind and avoid contact with the released material; use the fire extinguisher on small fires involving tyres, brakes or the engine; the crew must not fight fires in the load compartment; prevent the material from entering the environment or the drains; move away from the scene and follow the instructions of the emergency services; take off contaminated clothing and equipment.
Important: Action no. 8, the rule that the crew must not fight fires in the load compartment, is often underestimated in training. The driver may put out a tyre or engine fire with the vehicle’s own extinguisher. However, they must not tackle a fire in the load, as that is a job for the fire brigade alone.
Pages 2 and 3: hazard class tables with danger labels
Pages 2 and 3 are two three-column tables: the danger label with the class number, the hazard characteristics and additional guidance for the driver. For day-to-day work, this is the most important part of the instructions.
Page 2 covers classes 1 and 1.4/1.5/1.6 (explosives), 2.1 (flammable gases), 2.2 (non-flammable, non-toxic gases), 2.3 (toxic gases), 3 (flammable liquids), 4.1 (flammable solids and self-reactive substances), 4.2 (substances liable to spontaneous combustion) and 4.3 (substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases).
Page 3 covers classes 5.1 (oxidising substances), 5.2 (organic peroxides), 6.1 (toxic substances), 6.2 (infectious substances), 7A/7B/7C/7D (radioactive material), 7E (fissile material), 8 (corrosive substances) and 9 and 9A (miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles).
How do you use the tables in practice? Before setting off, check the transport document for the danger label numbers assigned to the goods being loaded. Find these numbers in the tables on pages 2 and 3. Read the third column, the additional guidance, for each class. For mixed loads or goods that present more than one hazard, the guidance for every class relevant to the load applies.
Table: selected ADR classes and key additional guidance from pages 2-3 of the instructions in writing
| Class / label | Main hazard | Additional guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 / 1.5 / 1.6 - Explosives | Mass explosion, projection of fragments, intense fire. Sensitive to shock and heat. | Take cover and keep away from windows. |
| 2.3 - Toxic gases | Risk of poisoning. Under pressure. Risk of burns or frostbite. | Use the emergency escape mask. Take cover. Avoid low-lying areas. |
| 4.3 - Water-reactive substances | Fire and explosion on contact with water. | Keep spilled material dry by covering it. |
| 5.1 - Oxidising substances | Violent reaction, fire and explosion on contact with combustible materials. | Do not let it mix with flammable materials (e.g. sawdust). |
| 6.1 - Toxic substances | Poisoning by inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. Hazard to the aquatic environment. | Use the emergency escape mask. |
| 8 - Corrosive substances | Chemical burns. May react with water or other substances. Give off corrosive vapours. | Avoid contact with the released material. |
| 9 / 9A - Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles | Risk of burns, fire, explosion and hazard to the aquatic environment. | Follow the general actions on page 1. |
* Abridged table for illustration only. The full wording for all classes is in the official model of ADR instructions in writing in section 5.4.3.4 of the ADR Agreement.
Page 4: additional guidance and protective equipment (ADR section 8.1.5)
Page four is divided into two parts. The first is a table of additional guidance for special marks that are not classes but accompany the marking of the load. Environmentally hazardous substances (the fish and tree mark) indicate a hazard to the aquatic environment and the drains. Elevated temperature substances (the triangle with a wave) indicate a risk of burns, so avoid contact with hot parts of the transport unit and with the released material.
The second part of page four lists the protective equipment the vehicle must carry under ADR section 8.1.5. Whenever an ADR vehicle is checked, the inspector verifies that this equipment is complete.
Table: mandatory protective equipment of an ADR vehicle under section 8.1.5
| Equipment | Required for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel chock | vehicle | size suited to the vehicle’s GVW and wheel diameter |
| 2 self-standing warning signs | vehicle | placed in front of and behind the vehicle after a breakdown |
| Eye rinsing liquid | vehicle | Not required for classes 1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 |
| Warning vest | each crew member | put on before leaving the cab on the road |
| Portable lighting apparatus | each crew member | must not produce sparks: an explosion-proof torch |
| Pair of protective gloves | each crew member | resistant to the material carried |
| Eye protection | each crew member | goggles or safety glasses |
| Emergency escape mask | each crew member | Only for classes 2.3 or 6.1 |
| Shovel, drain seal, collecting container | vehicle | Only for solids and liquids with labels 3, 4.1, 4.3, 8 or 9 |
* Source: ADR Agreement, section 8.1.5, 2025 edition.
How do you use ADR instructions in writing in practice?
ADR instructions in writing are not a document you keep just “for the inspector”. ADR 5.4.3.3 states that the driver should read them before the journey, not merely keep them in the cab. Here is how to do it in practice.
Before setting off: check the transport document for the danger label numbers of the goods being loaded. Find these numbers in the tables on pages 2 and 3 of the instructions. Read the third column for each class. Then go to page 4 and make sure the equipment in the vehicle is complete, especially if you are carrying class 2.3 or 6.1 (an emergency escape mask is mandatory).
On the road: keep the ADR instructions in writing in the cab within easy reach, not in your luggage, not in the toolbox and not behind the seat. The recommended place is the door pocket or the dashboard compartment. If an accident happens, you open page 1 and work through the actions in order.
After the ADR journey: do not throw the instructions away, as they stay in the vehicle for the next trip. If you have taken them out of the vehicle, remember to put them back before the next dangerous goods transport.
ADR instructions in writing 2025: do you need to print new ones?
The short answer: no, if your instructions date from 2017 or later. The model of ADR instructions in writing did not change in 2025. The last modification came with the 2017 edition of ADR, when class 9A (materials containing lithium) was added. All later versions, ADR 2019, 2021, 2023 and the current 2025 edition, keep the same model.
How can you check? If the table on page 3 of your instructions includes a “9A” row describing the hazards of class 9A, it is up to date. If that row is missing, you have an older version from before 2017 and it needs replacing.
What actually changed in ADR 2025 (but does not affect the model of the instructions in writing):
Transport document in the driver’s cab from July 2025. A change of wording in ADR 2025 replaced the term “transport unit” with “driver’s cab”. This means the ADR transport document must be in the driver’s cab, not with the consignment. The consignor or loader must make sure the driver receives a full set of documents before setting off, including the ADR instructions in writing, the ADR certificate and the transport document.
Mandatory ADR training for LQ shipments. From 2025, drivers carrying dangerous goods packed in limited quantities (LQ, ADR Chapter 3.4) must have ADR training. Previously, the rules did not spell out this requirement.
New rules for transporting lithium and sodium batteries. ADR 2025 introduced more detailed packing and marking requirements for lithium and sodium-ion batteries, including the new packing instruction P912.
Electric and hydrogen vehicles. ADR 2025 allows electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles to be used as transport units for dangerous goods, provided they meet specific technical requirements.
Where can you download the official ADR instructions in writing template (PDF)?
The official Polish-language model of ADR instructions in writing is available free of charge. It is published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in many languages as part of the ADR documentation. The Polish version is also made available by the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure.
Print requirements: colour is mandatory; A4, or double-sided A3; heavy paper (at least 160-200 g/m²) or lamination is recommended, as the instructions stay in the cab for many months. A black-and-white printout does not comply with ADR and may lead to a fine during a roadside check by the ITD (Polish Road Transport Inspection).
Below you can download a ready-made template of ADR instructions in writing in PDF format, prepared in line with section 5.4.3.4 of the ADR Agreement and up to date for the ADR 2025 edition.
Download the ADR instructions in writing (PDF, colour template for printing)
Run your ADR transport in line with the regulations
ADR instructions in writing are not a box-ticking exercise for inspections. They are a real tool that, in the first minutes after an accident, can save the lives of the driver and bystanders. Complete, up-to-date instructions printed in colour in the cab, plus reading them before every trip, are the bare minimum and worth taking seriously.
Do you run a transport company and need help with ADR documentation, driver training or the duties of a dangerous goods safety adviser (DGSA)? Contact us. We help carriers achieve full compliance with the ADR Agreement.
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FAQ: common questions about ADR instructions in writing
We have gathered the questions drivers and fleet dispatchers ask most often. Here you will find answers on the obligation to carry the instructions, the formal requirements, whether the template is still current in 2025 and what happens if the document is missing during a roadside check.
Do ADR instructions in writing have to be printed in colour?
Yes, a colour printout is mandatory. A black-and-white version does not meet the requirements of the ADR Agreement, because the danger labels of the individual classes are told apart precisely by colour. The current Polish text of ADR 2025 is available free of charge on the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure dangerous goods page, where you can download both volumes. The print format is A4 or double-sided A3, and both are acceptable.
Who is responsible for supplying the ADR instructions in writing to the driver?
The responsibility lies with the carrier, as stated directly in ADR 5.4.3.2. The driver does not have to print the instructions themselves. The carrier must hand over the document before every journey. The detailed duties of everyone involved in the carriage are set out in the Polish Act of 19 August 2011 on the transport of dangerous goods, consolidated text 2024 (Journal of Laws 2024, item 643), available in ISAP, the Polish online database of legal acts.
How long does it take to organise oversize transport?
A simple domestic move in Poland can be organised in 2-5 working days, which is how long it takes to obtain a Polish category I or II permit. More complex domestic routes that need higher permit categories and an escort usually take 1-2 weeks. International transport through several countries can take as long as 4-6 weeks, because permits have to be obtained in each country separately. The higher the permit category, the longer you wait for it to be issued. It pays to plan oversize transport as far ahead as possible, as last-minute bookings generate extra costs and cannot always be carried out at short notice.
Did the model of ADR instructions in writing change in 2025?
No. The model of ADR instructions in writing did not change at all in the 2025 edition. The last modification came with ADR 2017, when class 9A was added. If your instructions include a row with the 9A label in the table on page 3, they are up to date and remain valid until the end of 2026. The official Polish text of ADR 2025 can be downloaded free of charge from the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure dangerous goods page.
Is one set of ADR instructions enough for a mixed load of different classes?
Yes. Since the 2009 edition of ADR, a single set of instructions has applied to all classes of dangerous goods carried in the same vehicle, regardless of how many there are and what they are. Before setting off, the driver should check the danger label numbers in the transport documents and read the guidance for each class separately. For mixed loads, the guidance for all the classes involved applies at the same time.
What is the penalty for not having ADR instructions in writing in the cab during a roadside check?
Not having ADR instructions in writing in the driver’s cab is an offence punishable by a fine, which under the Polish Act on the transport of dangerous goods can range from 200 to 2,000 PLN for the driver. Inspectors of the Polish General Inspectorate of Road Transport (GITD) may hold the vehicle until the documents are produced or issue a fine on the spot. The missing instructions are also recorded as an irregularity in the company inspection report, which can affect how the carrier is assessed.
Managing Director | Antrans BiS, Olkusz
Sebastian Szklarczyk has led the development of Antrans BiS, a transport company operating throughout Europe, for more than 15 years. He started as Head of the Freight Forwarding Department, gaining practical experience in organising international transport and managing a vehicle fleet on European routes.
As Managing Director, he is responsible for the strategic management of a company handling more than 21,000 transport operations a year on its main routes: Poland-Italy, Poland-Germany, Poland-Austria, Spain, the Benelux countries and Scandinavia. Under his leadership, Antrans BiS has expanded its fleet to 220 vehicles, including its own and partners’ vehicles, and achieved an on-time delivery rate of 98%.
Specialisms: international FTL transport throughout Europe, automotive and FMCG logistics, optimisation of European routes, road traffic regulations and driving bans in the EU, and transport documentation (CMR, VAT-UE, INTRASTAT).
On the Antrans BiS blog, he shares practical knowledge about international freight forwarding, transport regulations and the business aspects of running a transport, freight forwarding and logistics company in different European countries.
