In a statement published last month, the DVSA explained why their new ruling, which came into force on the 1st of Jan states that most goods vehicles and trailers will have to be appropriately laden for their annual test.
DVSA’s Head of Vehicle Testing Chris Dormand said: “DVSA’s priority is helping everyone keep their vehicle safe to drive. Laden brake testing ensures that brakes are tested under real world conditions. The DVSA and the Traffic Commissioners have placed a far stronger emphasis on brake safety since the 2014 Bath tipper tragedy. Thanks to the support of the industry bodies, this is paying off. In 2014, 3.3% of heavy goods motor vehicles failed their annual test on service brake performance. In the last quarter of 2021, that had reduced to 1.88%. Laden roller brake testing will ensure the vehicle’s braking performance can be tested properly.”
Any goods vehicles and trailers which are presented for test unladen, unless exempt, will be refused a test by DVSA. This will mean the vehicle operator will lose the test fee and will need to re-present the goods vehicle or trailer correctly laden and pay for a new test.
Many operators are now using EBPMS (electronic brake performance monitoring system) on the assets in their fleet as it enables fleet managers to monitor the braking performance of their trailers. EBPMS captures the data from the trailer’s electronic braking system and calculates its performance. In the event of any under-performing brakes, alerts and notifications are sent immediately to the user and can be seen on the portal or phone app, allowing action to be taken to remedy any defects found.
EBPMS helps ensure operators remain compliant, reduces downtime, and improves the safety of drivers and other road users. Plus, use of EBPMS means roller brake tests only need to be done once a year at the annual MOT, rather than the recommended four times.
Read what these operators think of EBPMS.
Developed by ourselves in 2015, Axscend Ltd holds the trademark and patent for EBPMS.
To find out more or book a demo click here.
