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ADR route calculator — tunnel restriction

Enter the tunnel restriction code of each of the dangerous goods carried — in a transport unit with several goods, the most restrictive one always counts — and the category of each tunnel on the planned route. The calculator tells you, per tunnel, whether passage is allowed under the table in ADR 8.6.4.

Values are only saved on this device.

Dangerous goods carried

Found in column (15) of Table A (ADR, chapter 3.2.1), in brackets below the transport category, and entered on the transport document when the journey passes through tunnels with restrictions (5.4.1.1.1 (k)). Codes with a slash, such as D/E for petrol: for carriage in tanks, use the first letter (for D/E, also for carriage in bulk); for other carriage, use the second. B1000C and C5000D: if the total net explosive mass per transport unit exceeds 1000 kg (or 5000 kg), use the first letter; otherwise, use the second. With “(-)”, the goods can pass through any tunnel (except UN 2919 and 3331, which may be subject to restrictions in the special arrangement).

    Tunnels on the route

    Found on the signage on the approach to the tunnel (the sign is placed before it, where you can still change route) or from the country’s authority. It can vary with the period of the day or change due to roadworks — always check before you set off.

      Transport unit code—

      Tunnels on the route

          Indicative tool. It applies the tunnel restrictions in section 1.9.5 and Chapter 8.6 of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), based on the tunnel restriction code in column 15 of Table A (chapter 3.2.1). Enter the code of each good and the category of each tunnel directly: this calculator does not derive either one automatically, nor does it keep a list of European tunnels — that category is set by the country or operator and can change. It does not replace official confirmation before travelling (tunnel signage, operator, national authority) or the transport document or safety data sheet for the goods.

          How the tunnel restriction works

          Which tunnels each code prohibits

          The load’s code prohibits passage through tunnels of the same letter and of every letter after it: code B prohibits tunnels of categories B, C, D and E (the load can only use category A tunnels); code C, categories C, D and E; code D, categories D and E; code E, category E only. That is why code B is the most restrictive code and category E is the most restricted tunnel category. Category A tunnels have no ADR restriction at all (8.6.4).

          Different goods: the most restrictive one counts

          In a transport unit (a motor vehicle on its own, or with a trailer or semi-trailer attached) carrying several dangerous goods, the most restrictive code (the one that prohibits the most tunnels; from most to least restrictive: B, C, D, E) applies to the whole load. This holds even if the other goods, on their own, could pass through (8.6.3.2).

          No code, no restriction

          Goods with “(-)” in column 15 of Table A, instead of a code, are not subject to any tunnel restriction and can pass through any tunnel, including category E ones (8.6.3.1). The exception is UN 2919 and 3331 (Class 7), which may be subject to restrictions set in the approved special arrangement (1.7.4.2).

          Exempted loads: tunnel restrictions do not apply

          Dangerous goods carried under an exemption in 1.1.3 — for example, within the 1000-point limit (1.1.3.6) — are not subject to tunnel restrictions and are not taken into account when determining the load’s code, unless the transport unit is required to display the limited quantities mark (8.6.3.3). The restrictions apply to transport units required to display orange-coloured plates and, in category E tunnels, also to those required to display the limited quantities mark (8.6.4).

          The tunnel’s category is not set by the consignor

          A tunnel’s category (A to E) is assigned by the country’s competent authority and does not depend on the goods’ code; the same tunnel can have different categories depending on the time of day or the day of the week (1.9.5.1). If there is no dangerous goods sign on the approach to the tunnel, it is category A; if there is one, the letter on the additional panel gives the category (8.6.2). The sign is placed before the tunnel, where another route can still be chosen (1.9.5.3.4). Always check before you set off.

          National rules on top of the ADR system

          Austria does not use the ADR tunnel categories: in motorway tunnels 1000 m long or more, vehicles displaying orange-coloured plates must switch on an orange warning light before entering and, in tunnels of 5000 m or more, the highest-risk ones (by hazard identification number) need an escort. In France, dangerous goods vehicles are subject to the general driving ban on heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 t: from Saturday (or the day before a public holiday) at 22:00 to Sunday (or the public holiday) at 22:00, with some exemptions, and extra Saturday bans are set every year. Always check the rules of the country or countries you cross.

          Check the current edition

          ADR is revised every two years, and tunnel restriction codes can change between editions, as can the category assigned to each tunnel. This calculator is a quick aid — always check Table A, section 1.9.5 and Chapter 8.6 of the edition in force, and the tunnel’s current category with the operator or national authority.

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