Proposed brake testing assessment changes for 2025: A guide for fleet operators

What the new proposals entail

1. To follow best practice and comply with the proposed new legislation, the DVSA recommend that with every safety inspection a fully laden RBT assessment is completed with a suitable electronic brake performance monitoring system (EBPMS) or using a decelerometer and taking temperature readings as the sole method for evaluating brake performance.
2. For businesses running vehicles not fitted with an EBPMS, a minimumof four laden RBT assessments is recommended, these 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.

When fully laden brake testing might not be required

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.

Where acceptable reasons apply, the operator will still be responsible for ensuring that a risk assessment is in place to justify the 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.

Fraikin’s approach

Committed to safeguarding our customers, Fraikin aims to adopt a standard recommendation – to complete four laden RBT per year across our managed fleets, while supporting our customers’ unique operational needs.

This means we aim to offer three options:

1. Voluntarily opt in to Fraikin standard recommendation: We will assist our customers transition to the new standard by scheduling three additional RBTs per year. This can be done in two ways, with customers either pre-loading vehicles before each test, or opting for our service partners to handle the loading process.
2. Customise testing frequency: Customers can opt for more frequent loaded brake tests beyond four tests per year to meet specific safety or operational requirements.
3. Continue with current arrangements: Customers that have acceptable reasons supported by a risk assessment, or choose to opt out, can maintain their current schedule of one laden brake test per year.

Fraikin's dedicated account managers will be on hand to consult and discuss these options, clarify potential cost implications, and help tailor a maintenance plan that minimises disruption for our customers’ operations.

Conclusion

We believe the new DVSA brake testing requirements will help improve road safety. Though the proposed changes necessitate adjustments to current maintenance schedules, the benefits of enhanced safety and compliance are significant for operators. Fraikin is committed to supporting its customer fleets through this transition, offering the expert guidance and bespoke maintenance solutions you have come to expect.

By understanding these changes, assessing your fleet needs, and by planning ahead, you can ensure your operation will remain safe, efficient and compliant.