Changing trailer braking system guidelines: roller brake tests or EBPMS ?

from April, it is expected that trailers have at least four laden roller brake tests per year or have an electronic braking performance monitoring system (EBPMS) fitted.

What's happening?

Following the latest updates to the DVSA's 'Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness', transport operators face significant changes when it comes to assessing the braking performance of the semi-trailers in their fleet.

From April, trailers are expected to have a roller brake test for each safety inspection or they will need to have an EBPMS fitted to enable braking performance assessment via a braking performance report. What's more, without EBPMS assessing performance, its expected that a minimum of four of those roller brake tests will be laden*, spread evenly throughout the year!

* albeit, a risk assessment may be performed to detail reasons for it not be laden
 

Roller brake tests or EBPMS?

That's potentially a significantly increased burden for operators in terms of :-

- cost of the test (including increased cost to ensure trailers are laden)

- opportunity cost, considering increased 'downtime' of trailer, tractor unit and driver

- increased administration

EBPMS offers an effective alternative to regular roller brake tests as fitting such a system to your trailers overcomes this burden ...

... and that's because regular roller brake tests throughout the year should no longer be a requirement with EBPMS fitted, provided that satisfactory braking performance can be determined from the system.

Which will you choose?

BrakePlus is TIP's electronic braking performance monitoring system (EBPMS) and fitting it to the trailers in your fleet will reduce your operational costs, whilst improving road safety.

BrakePlus means reduced roller brake tests throughout the year and that means reduced 'downtime' and thus lower operational costs. At the same time, it provides continuous monitoring of your trailers' braking system to ensure it is performing as it should, improving safety on the roads.

To find out more about electronic braking perfomance monitoring, read our EBPMS article.

If you would like TIP to get in touch with you to discuss EBPMS further, please contact us.

			Reduce physical roller brake test requirement throughout the year
			Reduce ‘downtime’ for testing, plus associated travel & admin cost
			Reduce likelihood of breakdowns, with proactive monitoring
			Improve safety, with automatic & continuous monitoring of brakes

Visit our BrakePlus webpage here.