Dangerous goods (ADR): documents the driver and vehicle must carry
To carry dangerous goods by road you need, at a minimum, a vehicle with a valid ADR certificate, a driver with a valid ADR card and documentation that identifies the goods with their UN number and class. A failure in any of the three is a serious offence at the roadside.
What the ADR is
The ADR is the European agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road. In Spain it also applies to domestic transport. It classifies substances into classes (explosives, gases, flammable liquids, corrosives, etc.) and sets requirements for the vehicle, the driver, packaging, marking and documentation.
The three pillars
1. The vehicle
It must hold the ADR approval certificate where applicable, which must be valid, and carry the equipment and marking required by the class of goods (orange plates, extinguishers, protective equipment).
2. The driver
They need a valid ADR card, with the specialization appropriate to what they carry (for example, tankers or certain classes). It is a document with an expiry date that requires training and renewal.
3. The goods documentation
The consignment note must identify the dangerous goods with, among other data, their UN number and their class. The driver must also carry the written instructions for use in an accident.
Pre-departure checklist
- Vehicle ADR certificate valid.
- Driver ADR card valid and applicable to those goods.
- UN number and class shown in the documentation.
- Packaging and parcels properly labelled.
- Vehicle marked and carrying the required equipment.
- Written instructions on board.
Common mistakes
- Expired ADR card because nobody tracks the date.
- Documentation without a UN number or with the wrong class.
- Assigning the trip to a driver without the required specialization.
- Using a vehicle without an ADR certificate because of rush.
How Fleetaria manages it
Fleetaria only requires ADR data and documents when the trip carries dangerous goods. In that case the trip requires a UN number and ADR class, and it checks that the vehicle has an ADR certificate and the driver a valid ADR card; if either is missing, the trip is set to critical level and the driver sees it before leaving. The system helps you not to forget anything, but the correct classification and packaging of the goods is the responsibility of the company and its safety adviser.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the ADR card last?
It has an expiry date and requires periodic renewal. Check the current period and requirements with your training centre or transport authority.
What is the UN number?
A four-digit code that identifies the dangerous substance or group of substances carried.
Is ADR needed for small quantities?
There are exemptions for limited quantities and other cases. They must be analyzed case by case with the safety adviser or a specialist.
What happens if the driver does not have ADR?
Carrying dangerous goods without the required training is a serious offence. Avoid it by assigning ADR trips only to drivers with a valid card.
Want to bring this into your daily work?
Fleetaria brings together planning, a driver app and document control for hauliers in Spain. We will show it to you with your own cases.
Request a demoThis content is informational and was last reviewed in November 2026. Regulations change: check the current text in the BOE (Spanish gazette) or the OJEU and consult a transport adviser before making decisions with legal consequences.