UN 1203 Tunnel Restrictions: France vs Germany Under ADR

Question asked to Palen

Revised on Sep 1, 2026

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A tank vehicle carrying UN 1203 (gasoline/petrol) travels through France and then Germany. Compare the national rules applicable to tunnel traffic restrictions, in addition to the provisions of the ADR.”

ADR baseline applicable in both countries

UN 1203, MOTOR SPIRIT/GASOLINE, carried in a tank, has tunnel restriction code D/E. Therefore, as tank carriage, the transport unit is prohibited from entering category D and category E tunnels; it may use category A, B, or C tunnels, unless a separate traffic restriction applies. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1203, Column 15, Volume 2; ADR 8.6.4, Volume 2, p. 628)

The restriction applies because a tank vehicle for UN 1203 requires orange plates under ADR 5.3.2. ADR tunnel restrictions apply to transport units requiring orange-plate marking, after assigning the tunnel code for the whole load. Where several dangerous goods are loaded, the most restrictive tunnel code governs the complete transport unit. (ADR 8.6.3.2 and 8.6.4, Volume 2, pp. 627-628)

Tunnel category A has no ADR dangerous-goods restriction; categories B to E are progressively restrictive and are indicated by the tunnel sign and its supplementary letter panel. (ADR 1.9.5.2.2, Volume 1, p. 92; ADR 8.6.2, Volume 2, p. 627)

National comparison

Country	National aspect additional to ADR	Practical consequence for the UN 1203 tank vehicle
France	Tunnel access is determined through the ADR tunnel-category system and the traffic signage applicable at the specific tunnel. The operational test remains the D/E code applicable to tank carriage. (ADR 8.6.2 to 8.6.4, Volume 2, pp. 627-628)	Do not enter a French tunnel signed as category D or E. A, B, and C tunnels remain permissible under the ADR tunnel-code rule, subject to any locally imposed road-traffic measure.
Germany	Germany’s RSEB includes Annex 9, “Template for notification of tunnel categories”. This establishes a national administrative mechanism for publishing/communicating tunnel-category determinations; it does not replace the ADR D/E assessment. (RSEB 2025, Annex 9)	Do not enter a German tunnel notified/signed as category D or E. Route planning must also check the German tunnel-category notification and the signs in force at the tunnel.

Operational conclusion

For this gasoline tank vehicle, the cross-border rule is the same in France and Germany: category D and E tunnels are prohibited; category A, B, and C tunnels are allowed under ADR. (ADR 3.2, Table A, UN 1203, Column 15, Volume 2; ADR 8.6.4, Volume 2, p. 628)

The identifiable German national addition is procedural: tunnel categories are subject to a formal national notification model under RSEB Annex 9. This makes verification of the notified category and the installed road signs particularly important when planning the German leg. (RSEB 2025, Annex 9)

Sources

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