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.

Why choose Scania Hook loaders?

Ideal for the construction, waste disposal and recycling industries, our Scania Hookloaders are cost effective, low carbon vehicles perfect for transporting large goods quickly and simply. Complete with the heavy lifting capabilities, environmentally friendly engine technology and auto sheeting systems, our Scania Hook Loader Hire make it easy for businesses to access the latest trucks at a low cost.

Key features of Scania hook loaders

Euro VI Engine technology:

Our Scania Hook loaders come with Euro VI engine technology, designed to reduce the levels of harmful gasses trucks emit. The technology works using special filters that convert dangerous Nitrogen Oxide into water vapor and nitrogen to overall produce 20 times less Nitrogen Oxide and a third of the C02 produced by older engines .

Auto sheeting system:

Auto sheeting systems automatically cover open cargo securely at both ends. The sheet is fastened to the rear of the container. The system is hydraulically powered and remote controlled.

Lift equipment & capability:

Our Scandia Hook loaders also come with VDL 25-ton lift hook equipment. They are fully remote controlled. These lifting capabilities make transporting heavy cargo fast and simple. VDL’s hooklift systems are designed with unique self-carrying frames and high tipping angles for high reliability, whether tipping or collecting a container.

Scania Hook Loader Contract Hire Options

At Mac’s Truck Rental we offer both long term and short term contract hire across our range of vehicles, including Scania Hook Loaders. We work with your business to provide leasing contracts that work for your business and requirements.

Contract hire benefits

Cost effective:

Contract Hiring a truck allows you to spread the cost either on a weekly or monthly basis. You can hire the truck you need without having to purchase the vehicle outright, resulting in lower monthly payments as your monthly costs are calculated to cover the vehicle’s depreciation, not the full cost. However, long term leasing also gives you the same branding options as purchasing does, meaning you can have your custom livery across the vehicle.

Maintenance and breakdown cover:

With our contract hire, you’re covered should the unlikely happen. If something happens to your truck, or it breaks down we’ll fix it. On our Scania Hook Loader trucks we offer 6 week mandatory maintenance checks and and full hook loader maintenance to ensure your business keeps running smoothly.

Personalised prices:

Our prices are personalised to your business, monthly payments and terms can be arranged to suit your business, which allows you to know your monthly costs with no hidden extras.

We have over 40 years experience in the sale of Hook loaders and have a range of Scania vehicles available for both short term and long term contract hire. Contact a member of our team about the options available to your business.