April is always a hectic time for transport operators with a new tax year, increased employer NIC payments, Vehicle Excise Duty hikes for EVs, and many new 25-plate vehicles being added to the fleet. But with all the chaos, it is crucial to remember that from April 2025, Laden Brake Test (LBT) compliance regulations for trailers are changing.
Given that trailer braking defects are a major cause of MOT failures, these updates are essential for keeping fleets roadworthy and avoiding costly downtime.
This means fleet operators must keep in mind that:
✅ Every safety inspection must include a braking performance test.
✅ A minimum of 4 laden brake tests per year are required (unless an Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring System is used) which enables the braking performance of a trailer to be monitored and recorded automatically during everyday operation under a variety of operating conditions.
✅ If a laden brake test is not done, a detailed risk assessment must be completed and stored for 15 months.
With increased documentation and risk assessments, digital compliance platforms like Jaama’s Maintenance Exchange make it easier to manage and store essential records. Our system ensures:
⏱️ Operators have instant access to LBT compliance reports for audits.
🔒 Risk assessments and safety inspections are securely stored.
🤝 Seamless integration with maintenance providers and fleet management companies as part of the vehicle fleet supply chain.
Find out how you can streamline compliance with Maintenance Exchange by contacting Jaama today: 0844 8484 333