Commercial vehicle operators in the UK must adhere to strict maintenance and repair regulations to ensure roadworthiness and safety. According to the Department for Transport’s 2024 Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness, operators have a legal duty to keep their vehicles in a fit and serviceable condition at all times.
Safety Inspection Intervals
The law requires regular safety inspections, with frequency determined by the vehicle’s age, usage, and operating conditions. For vehicles and trailers aged 12 years or older, a minimum six-weekly inspection interval is mandatory, though this may be extended based on low mileage and light usage conditions. Newer vehicles operating under normal conditions typically require inspections every 6–13 weeks.
Documentation and Record Keeping
Maintenance records must be kept for at least 15 months, including details of all safety inspections, repairs, and driver defect reports. These records must be available for inspection by authorities and can be kept either electronically or in paper format, provided they contain all essential information, including dates, vehicle details, and inspector signatures.
Brake Testing Requirements
From April 2025, new regulations will require every safety inspection to include a brake performance assessment using either a roller brake tester, an electronic brake performance monitoring system (EBPMS), or a decelerometer with temperature readings. At least four laden brake tests must be conducted annually unless using EBPMS.
Competency Requirements
The law stipulates that safety inspections must be carried out by technically competent individuals with appropriate training and qualifications. While experience alone can demonstrate competence, it’s strongly recommended that inspectors obtain relevant technical qualifications and achieve automotive technical accreditation such as IRTEC.
Operator License Conditions
Operators must maintain their vehicles in line with their operator licence undertakings. Failure to do so can result in regulatory action by traffic commissioners, including license suspension or revocation. This extends to maintenance arrangements for hired vehicles or those maintained by third-party contractors.
The aim of these regulations is to ensure the safety of all road users while keeping Britain’s commercial vehicles moving efficiently and sustainably. Operators who maintain high standards of compliance not only meet their legal obligations but typically benefit from improved vehicle reliability and reduced operating costs.
Darren has owned several companies in the automotive, advertising and education industries. He has run driving theory educational websites since 2010.