Braking performance assessment requirements from April 2025

In a significant move to enhance road safety, the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that, effective April 2025, there is an expectation that every safety inspection will include a brake performance assessment using either an RBT, a suitable electronic brake performance monitoring system (EBPMS) or a decelerometer with temperature readings. If EBPMS is not used it is expected there is a minimum of four laden brake tests spread evenly across the year, this can include the annual test.

Acceptable reasons for not carrying out a laden brake assessment.

Vehicles where laden brake assessments may not be possible or where additional loading would be difficult are listed below (this is not an exhaustive list), however there is an expectation that at least four of the assessments will use an RBT unless the construction or weight of the vehicle prevents its use.

Vehicles where under normal operating conditions (more than 70% of the time) run at less than 65% of the permitted axle weights. This may include car transporters where they are designed for that specific task
Furniture removal vehicles – Only when designed and constructed as a furniture removal vehicle
ADR – Only when the load is considered dangerous and specialist facilities are not available
Vehicles operating at 50% or more of permitted axle weights when unladen – This could include fixed plant, mobile libraries, compactor vehicles, exhibition type vehicles, bullion vehicles, etc.

Where a laden brake test is not carried out a risk assessment detailing the reasons, must be completed by a competent person who understands braking systems and its components at every safety inspection.

There must be an evaluation of the vehicle/ trailer performance report before every safety inspection by a competent person who can interpret the data. The evaluation must be signed, dated, and attached to the vehicle record together with the performance data report. The evaluation and data report may be a single document.

To allow flexibility vehicles can be presented for brake testing up to 14 days before the safety inspection date; this allows the operator to conduct a laden brake test during the vehicle/trailer normal activities without the need to specially load it.

Reliable brake testing is crucial to ensure road safety, helping to identify any potential brake issues that may lead to accidents on the road, minimising risks to the HGV drivers and other road users.

What does this update mean for you?

To follow best practice and comply with the proposed new legislation, the DVSA expect that with every safety inspection a brake performance assessment is completed with an RBT, suitable electronic brake performance monitoring system (EBPMS) or using a decelerometer and taking temperature readings as the sole method for evaluating brake performance.

In some cases, a loaded brake test may be impractical. As such, if a vehicle or trailer consistently operates under specific conditions, exemptions may apply. Examples include:

ADR vehicles: when the load is considered dangerous, and specialist facilities are unavailable.
Livestock carriers: when recreating the load is not possible.
Noxious load carriers: only if the vehicle is specifically designed for this purpose.
Furniture removal vehicles: only if the vehicle is specifically designed for this purpose.
Public service vehicles: this includes prisoner transfer vehicles.
Vehicles that operate at 50% or more of permitted axle weight when unladen. This could include fixed plant, mobile libraries, compactor vehicles or bullion transport vehicles.
Vehicles that more than 70% of the time run at less than 65% of the permitted axle weights, these may include car transporters or unladen tri-axle semi-trailers.

For businesses running vehicles not fitted with an EBPMS (currently only available on trailers) or exempt, a minimum of four laden RBT assessments are required, these are to be spread evenly across the year and include the existing requirement to conduct a RBT at each MOT test. To ensure minimal disruption, these tests can be completed as early as 14 days before the next safety inspection date.

A risk assessment (example here) must be available to support every safety inspection where a laden brake test is not completed. The operator will still be responsible for a risk assessment is in place to justify any exemption. This assessment should be:

Available to review during every safety inspection.

Updated annually, or whenever there is a change in vehicle use.

Retained with vehicle maintenance documents for 15 months.

What Should Our Customers Do?

At Mac’s Truck Rental, we are dedicated to providing safe and roadworthy vehicles to our customers and as part of this dedication we will be working with our customers to ensure they re-main compliant.

To achieve this, we will continue to complete our standard 4 laden RBTs per year across our managed fleets, while supporting our customers’ unique operational needs but will offer an increase in the frequency of the laden brake tests being conducted at the customer’s request. (Conditions apply).

We will be available to assist our customers, offering advice on how the new requirements affect their operations, any potential cost implications and providing information on keeping their own fleet in compliance.

For more information on the Braking performance assessment requirements from April 2025 and further reading please see below links.

Guide to maintaining roadworthiness: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6751b5d044885d072cecbd62/guide-to-maintaining-roadworthiness-commercial-goods-and-public-service-vehicles.pdf

Brake test risk assessment: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67362fbaf6920bfb5abc7bc1/annex-7-example-of-a-brake-assessment-risk-assessment-template.pdf

Understanding your HGV or trailer’s brake test report: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/understanding-your-hgv-or-trailers-brake-test-report/understanding-your-hgv-or-trailers-brake-test-report

EBPMS Industry Standard Specification:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electronic-braking-performance-monitoring-systems/electronic-braking-performance-monitoring-system-ebpms-industry-standard-specification

Fill in your details below to get more information from the team at Mac’s Truck Rental, whether you’re looking into contract hire or simply want to know more about one of our trucks.

The transportation industry heavily relies on Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) for efficient goods transportation over long distances. Between 1994 and 2022, there has been a notable surge in the number of licensed HGV vehicles on the road. Department for Transport (DfT) and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) reported that in 2022, there were over 511,000 vehicles in operation, demonstrating a substantial increase over the years. Due to their large size and weight, HGVs present unique safety challenges. However, during the same period, the number of HGV related road fatalities decreased by over 75%.

Although, factors such as attitudes towards drink driving, and medical treatments may have contributed, there have been several significant advancements in safety features over the years. All with the aim of mitigating risks and improving overall road safety. As a result, data shows that as these safety advancements have increased, the number of HGV collisions have steadily decreased. This article explores the evolution of safety features and the role they have played in mitigating these collisions.

Compulsory Seatbelts

One of the earliest safety features introduced was the compulsory use of seatbelts. This simple yet effective measure aimed to protect drivers and passengers in the event of a collision. This came into effect in two stages firstly in 1983 front seatbelts were made compulsory. This was then closely followed by rear seatbelts 4 years later. Seatbelt laws have significantly increased seatbelt usage rates, reducing the risk of serious injuries and fatalities.

Impact Protection

To address the vulnerability of vehicle occupants in side-impact collisions, car manufacturers in 1991 implemented advanced side-impact protection measures. These included reinforced structures, side airbags, and curtain airbags that deploy upon impact, providing an additional layer of protection to mitigate the risk of severe injuries. Designed to inflate rapidly upon impact, cushioning the driver and passengers and reducing the risk of head and chest injuries.

Impact protection systems were introduced in HGV trucks in the UK at various points in time. One significant milestone in the implementation of impact protection measures for HGV trucks in the UK was the introduction of the EU Directive 2003/20/EC. This directive, which came into force on April 30, 2003, aimed to improve the safety of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, by requiring the installation of side guards and rear underrun protection systems on certain categories of HGVs. Based on statistics from the Department for Transport, there was a significant 15% reduction in car occupant fatalities between 1979 and 1991. Moreover, when including data from 2003 onwards, following the updates in HGVs, the overall death rate for all road users decreased by 45%. This decline could potentially be attributed to the introduction of impact protection technology during that timeframe.

Adaptive Cruise Control

In 1999, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) started to become available. Previously, systems were available that could provide distance warnings or control the engine but not apply the brakes. ACC is a cutting-edge safety feature that has revolutionised driving experiences and significantly contributed to road safety. It uses sensors and radar technology to automatically adjust the speed of a vehicle, maintaining a safe and consistent distance from the vehicle ahead. By monitoring the traffic flow and adapting the vehicle’s speed accordingly. Alongside this and incorporating the lane departure warning feature, there has been a noticeable decrease of 17% in HGV collision incidents.

Blind-Spot Monitoring & Fatigue Detection

Blind-spot monitoring and fatigue detection are two important safety features introduced in 2007. Using sensors and cameras to detect vehicles in the driver’s blind spots, providing timely alerts or visual warnings to help prevent collisions during lane changes or manoeuvres. Fatigue detection, on the other hand, addresses the critical issue of driver fatigue, which is a major cause of accidents, especially during long drives or monotonous journeys. This technology employs advanced algorithms and sensors to monitor driver behaviour, such as steering patterns, lane deviations, and eye movement. By analysing these factors, the system can accurately detect signs of drowsiness or inattentiveness.

Following the introduction of this technology, the Department for Transport recorded a notable decrease in HGV collisions from 14,572 to 10,688 incidents, representing a reduction of 27%. Moreover, the number of all road user deaths decreased significantly from 6,352 to 2,946, indicating a remarkable decrease of 54%. These statistics strongly suggest that the incorporation of blind-spot monitoring and fatigue detection technologies played a crucial role in improving road safety and mitigating accidents. Highlighting the effectiveness of these safety features in enhancing driver awareness, minimising risks, and saving lives.

Emergency Brake System

The integration of emergency brake systems truly was a significant game-changer in preventing collisions. Data shows that HGV collisions reduced by 38% in 2008 following the introduction. These systems use sensors to detect potential obstacles or rapidly decelerating vehicles, triggering an immediate braking response to prevent or mitigate accidents. Emergency brake systems provide an additional layer of protection by assisting drivers in critical situations where human reaction time may fall short.

Anti-Skid System

The implementation of anti-skid systems, also known as electronic stability control (ESC) were first introduced in 2009. By monitoring a vehicle’s stability and traction, ESC detects and corrects potential skidding or loss of control. This technology helps drivers maintain control during sudden manoeuvres, reducing the risk of rollovers and collisions caused by unstable driving conditions. In November 2015, EU legislation was introduced, requiring the installation of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems in the majority of newly registered heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) weighing over 7.5 tonnes. From 2015 onwards, new HGVs sold in the UK have been equipped with Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) as a standard feature. Since the implementation of this technology, there has been a remarkable 49% reduction in HGV collisions, the most substantial decrease since 1994 when previous safety features were introduced.

Mac’s Truck Rental

The advancements in overall vehicle safety features have played a crucial role in reducing the number of collisions and deaths over the years. Investing in an HGV truck equipped with advanced safety features is not just a wise decision, but a crucial one. These safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, fatigue detection, adaptive cruise control, and emergency brake systems, offer unparalleled protection for drivers, goods, and other road users.

By prioritising safety, you are not only mitigating the risk of accidents and potential injuries but also ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining your reputation as a responsible fleet operator. With cutting-edge safety technologies becoming increasingly standard in HGV trucks, now is the perfect time to explore the market. Making an informed decision to invest in an HGV truck rental that puts safety at the forefront. We offer a wide range of trucks to lease including tipper trucks for hire, beavertail trucks and curtainsiders to rent so no matter what the job we have a vehicle for you. Choose a truck equipped with advanced safety features from Mac’s Truck Rental and gain peace of mind knowing that you are making a responsible choice for yourself, your drivers, and everyone sharing the road.