← Breakdowns and incidents
Rule 284: Dangerous goods markings
Advice, not law
Incidents involving dangerous goods (rules 284 to 285)
Vehicles carrying dangerous goods in packages will be marked with plain orange reflective plates. Road tankers and vehicles carrying tank containers of dangerous goods will have hazard warning plates (see ‘Vehicle markings’).
Advice, not law. This rule is not written in capitals, so breaking it is not an offence in itself — but it can still be used in evidence in court to establish liability. The rules that say MUST or MUST NOT are the ones backed by law.
5 theory test questions on this rule
From the DVSA revision question bank. These are not the questions asked in the real theory test. Each one shows the answer, the explanation, and our own note on why every other option is not it.
Car
Lorry & Bus (LGV/PCV)
- You're at the scene of an incident. What does it mean if there's a plain orange rectangle displayed on one of the vehicles? Incidents, accidents and emergencies
- You're a driver who's certified to carry dangerous goods. How long is your certificate valid? Environmental issues
- Which symbol on a lorry means it's likely to be carrying compressed gases? Vehicle loading
- What training must you take before driving a lorry loaded with toxic substances? Incidents, accidents and emergencies