Which tankers require ADR marking?

Tankers transporting materials classified as dangerous under ADR (classes 1-9): fuels (class 3), gases (class 2), acids and bases (class 8), toxic substances (class 6.1), oxidisers (class 5.1), radioactive materials (class 7), etc. Standard dry hydrated lime may fall into class 8 depending on the CaO concentration. Classification always follows from the material's MSDS and the TDT decision.

What must an ADR tanker have?

An ADR vehicle approval certificate issued by TDT (designation X, Y or Z depending on class), safety valves approved for the given class, seals on the manholes, orange marking (Kemler code + UN number), class labels, emergency equipment (fire extinguishers, absorbent bags, shovel, fire blanket) and the ADR written instructions.

Does PHS Magnum handle ADR tankers?

For service: yes. PHS Magnum performs TDT inspections of ADR tankers plus tank repairs under TDT-M/N authorisations. Welding repairs with documentation for TDT, safety valve replacement, modernisations. A full workshop in Chorula (4 km from the A4 Gogolin junction). We do NOT provide liquid transport by tanker — the PHS Magnum fleet consists exclusively of silo trailers for bulk materials.

Which ADR classes does PHS Magnum service?

The full range of ADR classes in tanker service: 2 (gases, if the client holds the appropriate certificate), 3 (fuels, oils), 4.1 (flammable solids), 5.1 (oxidisers, some), 6.1 (toxic, some), 8 (corrosive — acids, lime), 9 (miscellaneous). We do NOT service classes 1 (explosives — requires a specialist military workshop) or 7 (radioactive — separate authorisations).

How long does a TDT inspection of an ADR tanker take?

Preparation + inspector attendance: typically 5-10 working days. Longer than for silo trailers (2-5 days) because additional ADR validation is required: an increased pressure test (1.3× MOP), an internal inspection with PT testing of circumferential welds, safety valve calibration with documentation, and orange marking. The ADR approval certificate is valid for 1 year (vs 2-5 years for a regular TDT inspection).

Does an ADR tanker driver need special qualifications?

Yes. A required ADR training certificate (basic course 18h + tank course 12h) issued by an authorised centre, valid for 5 years. Plus a certificate of professional competence and a health record book with current medical examinations. A single missing document = the road transport inspectorate withdraws the vehicle from service.

What about a tanker for hydrated lime — is it ADR?

It depends on the CaO concentration and the form. Hydrated lime CL 90-S (>90% Ca(OH)₂) in powder form with fine granulometry <0.1 mm may fall into ADR class 8 (corrosive substances). Granulated or bagged lime (coarser fractions) — often not ADR. The client's MSDS decides. PHS Magnum handles both routes — servicing tankers for ADR lime, and transporting non-ADR lime by silo trailer.

30.04.2025

ADR Tankers — What the Vehicle and Driver Must Comply With

Name: PHS Magnum
Address: ul. Kościelna 9, Chorula, Opolskie, 47-316, PL
Telephone: +48 602 716 551
Price range: $$

ADR tanker service at PHS Magnum Chorula — pressure vessel inspection with a TDT seal

Key takeaways

ADR tankers — vehicles for carrying dangerous goods. They require an ADR approval certificate + driver qualifications + TDT documentation. PHS Magnum provides ADR tanker service in Chorula — inspections and tank repairs under TDT-M/N authorisations valid until 2030.

Requirement	Element
Vehicle approval certificate	TDT (X/Y/Z), valid 1 year
ADR driver certificate	18h course + 12h tank course, valid 5 years
Health record book	Examinations every 5 years (from age 55 every 3 years)
Transport documentation	CMR + ADR document + written instructions
Marking	Orange plates + class labels
Emergency equipment	Fire extinguisher, absorbent bags, shovel, blanket

TDT tanker service phone: +48 504 788 385

What ADR tankers are

ADR tankers are heavy vehicles with tanks designed for transporting dangerous goods classified under ADR (Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises Dangereuses par Route). The tank design and equipment must meet the requirements of the European ADR agreement — updated every 2 years (latest version: ADR 2025).

The difference: tanker vs silo trailer

Tanker — a horizontal tank for liquid or semi-liquid materials (fuels, acids, milk). Gravity or pump discharge.
Silo trailer — a vertical/tilted tank for dry bulk materials (granules, minerals). Pneumatic discharge.

Most ADR tankers carry liquids (fuels, chemicals); some carry ADR dry bulk (flammable carbon black of class 4.1, certain forms of lime of class 8).

Comparison details: Tanker vs silo trailer.

ADR classification — 9 classes

Class	Materials	Frequency in tankers
1	Explosives (ammunition, pyrotechnics)	Rarely carried in tanks
2	Gases (LPG, LNG, oxygen, chlorine, ammonia)	Special pressure tankers
3	Flammable liquids (petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, ethanol)	Fuel tankers (the most common)
4.1	Flammable solids (sulphur, technical carbon black)	Some dry-bulk tankers
4.2	Spontaneously combustible (yellow phosphorus)	Rarely carried in tanks
4.3	Emitting flammable gas in contact with water	Rarely carried in tanks
5.1	Oxidisers (hydrogen peroxide, nitrites)	Chemical tankers
5.2	Organic peroxides (highly reactive)	Special chemical tankers
6.1	Toxic (arsenic, cyanides, pesticides)	Chemical tankers
6.2	Infectious (medical samples)	Specialist medical transport
7	Radioactive (isotopes, radioactive materials)	Specialist vehicles
8	Corrosive (acids, bases, lime)	Chemical tankers (common)
9	Miscellaneous (lithium batteries, hot liquids)	Special chemical tankers

Technical requirements for an ADR tanker

Tank with ADR certificate

The code designation (X, Y, Z) describes the permitted classes:

X — broad application, low-risk materials
Y — limited application, medium-risk materials
Z — narrow application, high-risk materials (e.g. class 5.1 oxidisers)

Safety valves

Approved separately for the given ADR class. Standard actuation pressures:

Fuel tankers (class 3): 0.5-1.5 bar
Chemical tankers (class 8): 0.3-3.5 bar depending on the medium
Gas tankers (class 2): depending on the type of gas (LPG, LNG, chlorine)

TDT seals on manholes

Tamper-proof seals verified at every inspection. A broken seal = the vehicle is withdrawn until rectified.

External marking

Orange plates with the Kemler hazard code (4 upper digits) and the UN number (4 lower digits)
Class labels (diamond-shaped, coloured — e.g. red for class 3, yellow for class 5)
Registration number clearly legible

Emergency equipment

Fire extinguisher ABC + CO₂ specific to the class
Absorbent bags (chemical sorbents)
Shovel
Fire blanket
Gas mask (for classes 2 and 6)
Protective boots + coverall (for class 8 corrosives)
ATEX-EX torch for classes 3 and 4 (flammables)

The ADR approval certificate

Issued by TDT, A4 format, with a photograph of the vehicle. It contains:

Registration number and VIN
Classes permitted for carriage
Maximum load
Restrictions (e.g. aluminium or steel tank only)
Validity date (1 year from the last inspection)

Without a valid certificate the vehicle may not be operated as an ADR tanker — the road transport inspectorate spots this immediately at the first check.

Driver qualifications

ADR training certificate

Two basic courses:

1. ADR basic course (18 hours)

Legal part (ADR regulations, classification)
Dangerous goods classes
Emergency procedures (written instructions)
Documentation
Examination

2. ADR tank course (12 hours)

Design of ADR tankers
Loading and unloading
Personal protective equipment
Spill procedure
Examination

Plus specialist courses (classes 1, 7) — for explosives and radioactive materials.

The certificate is valid for 5 years, then a refresher course (8-16 hours) is required.

ADR health record book

Medical examinations every:

5 years (up to age 55)
3 years (age 55-65)
1 year (over 65)

Checked: vision, hearing, memory, reaction times, mental health.

Certificate of professional competence

Standard for professional drivers + the ADR endorsement.

Procedure after an ADR tanker accident

Step 1: Securing the scene

Stopping the vehicle in a safe place
Switching on the hazard lights
Putting on a high-visibility vest
Setting up warning triangles (50-150 m)

Step 2: Calling for help

112 + information about:

ADR class (1-9)
UN number from the transport document
Precise location (GPS, road km)
Condition of the driver, any casualties

Step 3: Actions according to class

The ADR written instructions (on board) contain procedures for each class:

Class 3 (fuels): keep away from ignition sources, do not use water on the fire (fuel floats on water)
Class 8 (acids): do not approach without a coverall and mask, neutralisation by specialists
Class 2 (gases): evacuation within a radius depending on the gas (LPG 100 m, chlorine 500 m+)
Class 6 (toxic): gas mask, evacuation of the area