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.

From Saturday 29^th January 2022, the UK Government has changed The Highway Code and important changes have been made. This followed a public consultation, with the aim of improving the safety of road users. Including, pedestrians, particularly children, older adults, and disabled people, cyclists, and horse riders.

The UK government remarked “Keeping our roads safe for everyone, and in particular vulnerable road users, is the main priority for the government. Everyone has an equal right to use the road, and they should do so in a safe, considerate, and responsible manner. It is therefore important that The Highway Code keeps pace with change and reflects the safety needs of the most vulnerable road user groups.”

Edmund King, AA president, stated “The update is much needed with more “active travel” being encouraged and a boom in deliveries by people on bicycles. The upcoming changes to the Highway Code are a reminder that all road users have a responsibility to look after one another, in particular the most vulnerable ones: pedestrian, cyclists, other two-wheeled transport and horse riders.”

The New Rules

From now all drivers will need to follow the updated Highway Code, designed to make you and others feel safe on the road. The following changes now apply:

Hierarchy Of Road Users

The ‘hierarchy of road users’ outlines the different levels of responsibility in the event of a collision. Vehicles that can cause the greatest harm such as HGV and LGV have the highest level. This is broken down by cyclers, motorists, and pedestrians. Nevertheless, this doesn’t deter from the responsibility of all road users.

Pedestrians Have Priority At Junctions

Pedestrians now have priority of motorists when they are waiting to cross or currently crossing at a junction. Consequently, all drivers, motorcyclists, horse riders, and cyclists must slow and stop to allow them to cross the junction. The penalty for this will automatically lie with those who are higher on the ‘hierarchy of road users’ therefore, having more responsibility.

All Traffic Must Stop For Pedestrians Waiting At Crossings

Before, cyclists, drivers, and horse riders only had to stop at zebra and parallel crossings if someone was already walking across. It was, however, advised to slow down on the approach to a zebra crossing, in anticipation of a pedestrian then crossing. This has been updated to all motorists must stop at zebra crossings if people are waiting to cross, not just if they are already crossing.

Cyclists Can Ride Where They Feel Most Visible

Thus far, cyclists have been required to ride on the left and ensure bike lights are used at night. Nevertheless, the new changes state, cyclists are required to ride no less than half a metre from the verge or curb, ‘further where it is safer’. To pass cyclists, drivers must give at least 1.5 metres of space up to 30mph; more distance is required for higher speeds. Yet, cyclists are still expected to pull to the left on quieter roads, in slower-moving traffic, and at busy junctions, to maximise safer overtaking opportunities.

Priority For Cyclists When Turning

Previously, there was no clear guidance or requirement for drivers to treat cyclists equal to other vehicles. This has now changed. Drivers should not cut across cyclists, horse riders, or horse-drawn vehicles going ahead when you are turning into or out of a junction or changing direction or lane. This applies across various paths such as a cycle lane, a cycle track, or riding ahead on the road, you should always give way to them. Put simply, do not turn at a junction if to do so would cause the cyclist, horse rider, or horse-drawn vehicle to stop or swerve. You should stop and wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists if necessary. This includes when cyclists are:

approaching, passing, or moving off from a junction
moving past or waiting alongside stationary or slow-moving traffic
travelling around a roundabout

Hand-Held Mobiles Are Banned

Except in an emergency, the use of any handheld device for anything is banned. This includes taking videos or photos, scrolling through playlists, or playing games even if your vehicle is stationary. They can be used for hands-free calls, payments at drive-through or tolls, and as a satnav. But they have to be securely fixed to your vehicle. If caught touching your mobile during your journey, motorists face a £200 fine and six penalty points. For newly qualified drivers, six points and your licence revoked.

More Punishable Driving Decisions

Regulations such as yellow hatched lines, creating a box junction, ‘must not be entered’ unless the exit is clear. Additionally, driving the wrong way up a street and not giving way to oncoming traffic. All will now be more punishable and local authorities have been given more power. They now have the power to fine drivers up to £70 for minor traffic offences.

Mac’s Truck Rental

HGV truck drivers are at the top of the new ‘hierarchy of road users’ responsibility list. Therefore, are seen as being able to cause the greatest harm. As the new rules are already in force, it is crucial your fleet are aware of the new changes and have the correct vehicles. Mac’s Truck Rental has over 50 years of experience, supplying our customers with a large range of HGV vehicles suitable for every industry. We provide short-term and long-term commercial truck hire to meet your business’s needs and requirements.

We offer our customers complete control when creating their perfect fleet. We work with companies of all sizes, from those who need a single lorry lease to those needing a fleet of vehicles. Whether you require a 3.5 tonne beavertail hire, 7.5 tonne lorry hire or 18 tonne we have the right solution for you. With bespoke customisable options, we can help you create a truly professional look with branding and customisation.

However, if you are looking to lease a truck, then we have vehicles that are ready to go. Whether you are searching for grab lorry hire, box trucks, skips, or tipper truck rental, we can quickly get you on the road. Our fleet includes beavertail hire, skip lorry hire, crane truck hire, and hook loader hire. Contact us today to get your fleet up and running.