A. Currently, drivers must be able to produce drivers’ hours record sheets, manual records and printouts evidencing the last 28 days of activity in the EU, as they do in the UK. This period is due to be extended to 56 days in the EU from 31 December 2024, which will mean that UK drivers travelling on international journeys will have to comply.  
UK legislation is unaffected by this and the current UK requirements of providing the last 28 days of activity will remain the same if you do not cross international borders.
Putting the brakes on
Q. Please can you advise from April 25, the brake test requirements for tri axle semi-trailers.
Currently due to difficulties with loading these trailers, they are exempt laden tests, but will this continue when the regulations change in April 2025?
A. The expectation is that every inspection will include brake performance monitoring using either an RBT, EBPMS or decelerometer with temperature readings. If EBPMS is not used, then there should be four laden brake tests spread evenly across the year, including the annual test.
Pages 51-52 of DVSA’s Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness cover potential cases where a vehicle can be tested in an unladen condition, which does include tri-axle trailers, but has the stipulation that they are operated under 65% permitted weights for more than 70% of the time.
A risk assessment must be available to support every safety inspection where a laden brake test is not completed, or where an EBPMS evaluation is not available. These must be evaluated as part of the safety inspection to confirm that they are still appropriate and reviewed every 12 months.
