Braking performance assessment requirements from April 2025

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

road sweepers

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.

When you begin to think about the purpose of the street, it is simply to allow people to safely walk, run, or cycle from one location to the next. When a street is clean from rubbish, waste, and graffiti individuals simply do not have to think about safety or navigate their routes. However, when a street is covered with rubbish, dim lighting, and bins across the road, it can instantly look unsightly.

Research has found that living in a dirt-free area, improves mood by 97% and increases pride in the community by 96%. The most common neighbourhood issues were litter (66%), dog mess (64%), fly tipping (42%), and broken glass (32%). 30% of people in England stated litter and rubbish was an issue within their area. Furthermore, 84% of Brits admit the cleanliness of their community has a significant impact on their emotional wellbeing. Research has also found that crime rates are higher in unkempt areas, and people feel more cautious about walking along their streets.

Additionally, house prices have been found to decrease in value. 93% of homeowners stated that dirty streets would deter them away from buying a home. Recent government figures show that it costs on average £28 per household to keep the streets clean. The most commonly found litter are cigarette buds, confectionary packaging, and takeaway rappers. From 2017 to 2018 it cost local authorities £663 million or £28 per household to keep streets clean. This does not include time spent by other authorities such as Highways England.

What Is A Road Sweeper?

Street cleaners do extremely valuable work, often seen in the early hours of the morning. They are a common sight in Britain, cleaning roadsides, streets, and pavements from dust and debris. However, many commercial businesses are now utilising such vehicles for their own private use. For instance, construction sites, car parks, busy site roads, runways, and any thoroughfares where dust, litter, and other debris are likely to collect. Intended to clean up surfaces mostly used by vehicles, these sweepers use water to capture dirt and dust.

Why Are Road Sweepers Important?

Prevent Flooding

When extreme weather occurs such as heavy rain or snow, gutters can easily block. Any debris from the roads is swept up by the water and straight into drains and gutters. This builds up and prevents the water from running off roads and into the sewage. A flooded road not only causes danger for traffic but also can harm the surrounding wetland. An overspill of drains and sewers could also include harmful chemicals, further damaging low-lying land and damaging vegetation and wildlife. In order to prevent any damage, road sweepers can use water jets to clear any minor blockages as they move along the road.

Health And Safety

If rubbish builds up in one area, it can easily become a breeding area for all kinds of rodents. For instance, rats, flies, pigeons, seagulls, and mice. This in turn can create a potential health hazard for people around the area. Additionally, rubbish, glass, or metal for instance can cause a risk for road users, especially cyclists, causing slip and trip hazards. One of the most common causes of cars breaking down is damaged tyres. Therefore, cleaning streets can reduce such risks and improve health and wellbeing.

Local Economy

Everyone would like to live in an area that is clean and pleasant to be around. Research has shown that the cleaner the area the more people will pay for their homes. Therefore, using road sweepers in residential areas is likely to impact local property prices. Creating a more desirable location. This also results in more shops, restaurants, and over local economy drive.

Environmental Impacts

Wild animals are unable to distinguish between what is safe and not for them. Rubbish alongside roads such as takeaway packets can be extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening if consumed. The RSPCA receives on average 7,500 calls a year about litter-related incidents affecting animals. From badgers with plastic can holders embedded in their necks to hedgehogs with their heads wedged in empty tins.

What Class Of Vehicle Does A Road Sweeper Come Into?

In terms of motorist categories, road sweepers are in the same category as refuse collection vehicles, along with RCVs and tractor-pulling trailers. They are considered a fundamental piece of machinery for many local authorities as part of their fleet of municipal vehicles. They often carry negative emotions for commuters with their slow speeds. However, are essential to ensure roads are cleared of litter and general debris. In order to drive a sweeper truck, a driver will need at least a C class driver’s license.  A road sweeping machine is exempt from O-licensing as well as the EU drivers’ hours rules and tachograph regulations. Formal training is also essential for keeping your workforce, business, and visitors safe.