DVSA is offering new methods for loading HGVs and trailers for brake testing, aiming to save time and money for operators. What’s changing?

Chris Floyd, IOC road safety sub sector chair comments,

Most of our business models and almost all of our business mindsets would avoid running an empty HGV for any great distance, and so it’s only right that when we’re routinely checking and confirming the safety of our vehicles, we do so with those vehicles being in a representative state.

Load simulation rollers are a genuinely helpful advancement, allowing our vehicles to be tested as if they were laden without the time and expense of having to load and unload every vehicle due to be tested. The DVSA has, through embracing this technology, given our industry a far more cost aware way of ensuring our vehicles will perform safely, not just under test conditions, but during normal operations. I encourage more of the same please DVSA.

The DVSA testing guidelines will be In place from, Thursday 21 August 2025, DVSA has approved load simulation brake rollers for annual testing. Using this method, vehicles may not need to be loaded before being presented for testing. Vehicles that are currently exempt from laden brake testing will still be exempt. It is considered best practice to test even if an exemption applies.

Why is the change being made? Laden brake testing can take a long time and loading a vehicle for testing can be costly for operators. This option gives another way to test vehicles. It could be applied to vehicles which are difficult or costly to load for test. It could potentially save time and money, and could reduce the environmental impact of heavily laden vehicles driving just for a brake test. This change could also cut down the need to load heavy weights using a forklift, potentially reducing forklift accidents.

What’s next? DVSA will continue to assess new technology when developments become commercially available and will update guidelines when appropriate.