As of January 2023, HGV vehicles and trailers must be loaded to at least 65% of their design gross vehicle weight when presented for brake testing at their annual MOT. What does this mean for you?
Testing the brake performance of an HGV vehicle or trailer is a key part of safety inspections and that of road safety.
To improve safety and to ensure brake testing is effective, the DVSA have announced that as of the 1st of January 2023, HGV vehicles and trailers must be loaded to 65% of their design axle weight when presented for their annual MOT. If your vehicle is not sufficiently laden when it is presented for a test, it will be refused. However, as previously, there will be exemptions for certain types of vehicles.
Since the Bath Tipper tragedy in 2014, the Traffic Commissioners, DVSA, trade bodies and other industry stakeholders have been promoting the importance of roller road brake testing and they continue with this campaign today.
Many operators are now ensuring that their vehicles and trailers are undergoing roller road brake tests at every safety inspection.
The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness recommends 4 roller road brake tests every year but that is the minimum requirement, and we can all do better than the minimum.
While this is a good step forward, often roller road brake test results show no more than what it would if your car was to be fitted with air brakes then go for a roller road brake test. This is mainly caused by insufficient weight not allowing the vehicle or trailer to apply its maximum force to stop the vehicle or trailer. We call this a ‘lock up’ as the brakes stop the wheels but with no force.
While this is the main reason for what is now considered an insufficient testing method there are many other reasons.
As one of our many training services at CTS we are frequently visiting workshops across the United Kingdom to deliver technician training. When it comes to brake testing, the stories and reasons about why a report is not what it should be often leads to in-depth discussions. And the reminder that as an operator you are responsible for the outcome of your roller road brake test.
A pass is not always a pass when it comes to brake test reports.
To find out more why not get in touch about our Fleet Managers training or get some expert advice through our consultancy service?
