Adr test free lorry driver what do the orange blank numbers mean drill
On many non-US (ADR) loads, the plain orange rectangular plate carries two numbers: the top is the hazard identification number (the Kemler code) and the bottom is the UN number for the material. Together they tell responders what the hazard is and exactly which substance it is.
Two numbers on the orange plate
The orange panel used under the ADR system shows a top number and a bottom number. The top is the hazard identification number, often called the Kemler code, which describes the type and severity of the danger. The bottom is the four-digit UN number identifying the specific substance.
Reading the Kemler code
The top number uses digits to indicate hazards (for example, repeated digits or a leading letter carry specific meanings), and responders look it up to understand the risk. You do not memorize the whole system; you recognize what the plate is telling you and look it up.
This is an ADR convention
The orange plate is part of the European ADR framework rather than the US placard system, though the diamonds themselves are shared internationally. Always verify against the official ADR materials and your national authority.
Frequently asked questions
- What do the numbers on an orange plate mean?
- The top is the hazard identification (Kemler) number describing the danger; the bottom is the UN number identifying the material. Confirm in the official ADR materials.
- What is the Kemler code?
- It is the hazard identification number on the top of the ADR orange plate, indicating the type and degree of hazard. Responders look it up for the details.
- Is the orange plate used in the US?
- The orange plate with the two numbers is an ADR (European) convention. The US uses UN numbers on placards or orange panels differently, so check the system that applies to you.