The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road Regulations 1996

General requirements for carriage

12.—(1) No operator of a container, tank or vehicle shall cause or permit to be carried therein any dangerous goods unless—

(a) he has obtained the consignor’s declaration, if applicable, or an authenticated copy thereof, in relation to those goods; and

(b) he has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that those goods are in a condition fit for carriage.

(2) No driver of a vehicle which is being used for the carriage of dangerous goods shall cause or permit to be carried therein any person (other than a member of the vehicle crew) for the sole purpose of transporting that person.

(3) No driver or member of the vehicle crew shall open a package containing any dangerous goods unless authorised to do so by the operator of that vehicle.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), no person shall bring portable lighting apparatus onto a vehicle if such apparatus is capable of producing a flame or has any metallic surface liable to produce sparks.

(5) Paragraph (4) shall not apply where the only dangerous goods being carried on the vehicle are infectious substances.

(6) No person shall enter a closed vehicle, which is being used for the carriage of liquids having a flash-point of 61°C or below or flammable gases, carrying lighting apparatus other than portable lamps so designed and constructed that they cannot ignite any flammable vapours or gases which may have penetrated into the interior of the vehicle.

(7) The driver and the operator of a vehicle which—

(a) is being used for the carriage of infectious substances or toxic goods; or

(b) is empty, uncleaned, having been used for the carriage of any such goods,

shall ensure that no food is carried in that vehicle unless it is effectively separated from any infectious substances or toxic goods or is otherwise adequately protected from the risk of contamination by those goods.