Stay Compliant in 2025: DVSA Updates, Smart Tachographs and Earned Recognition

If you run HGVs on UK roads, 2025 has already thrown a fair bit at you. From new brake testing rules and doubled tachograph record requirements to smart tachograph retrofit deadlines and updated London permits — it's been a busy year for compliance. Whether you're a fleet owner trying to stay ahead of DVSA enforcement, a transport manager keeping tabs on your vehicles, or a driver wanting to know your obligations at the roadside, here's a clear breakdown of what's changed, what it means in practice, and how to keep your operation on the right side of the law.

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Laden Brake Testing: Four Times a Year Is Now the Minimum

One of the biggest operational changes of 2025 came into effect in April — the DVSA now requires all HGVs to complete at least four laden roller brake tests per year. Previously, just one was required. That's a significant jump, and for many operators it means rethinking your maintenance schedules entirely.

The reasoning is sound. A vehicle that passes a brake test empty doesn't always behave the same way under a full load. Laden testing gives a far more accurate picture of real-world brake performance, which matters enormously when you're talking about 44-tonne trucks on public roads.

What this means for your maintenance planning

• Build all four tests into your PMI schedule from the outset — don't leave them as an afterthought
• Make sure your workshop or preferred testing centre can accommodate laden vehicles and has the appropriate roller brake testing equipment
• Keep dated records of every test, including the results and the load condition at the time — DVSA inspectors will want to see this

If you're using software like Fleet77 to manage your maintenance records, now's a good time to set recurring brake test reminders so nothing slips through the cracks.

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Tachograph Records: You Now Need 56 Days at the Roadside

As of 21 April 2025, drivers on international journeys are required to carry and produce 56 days of tachograph data and manual records at roadside inspections — double the previous 28-day requirement.

This applies to digital tachograph data, manual entry sheets, and any printouts. If a driver can only produce 28 days, that's now a non-compliance, and enforcement officers have been briefed accordingly.

Practical steps to stay compliant

• Brief all your international drivers on this change if you haven't already — it's the driver's responsibility at the roadside, but it's on operators to make sure their people know
• Ensure your tachograph analysis process captures the full 56-day window and that records are downloaded and filed regularly
• Drivers should carry their driver card and be able to access historical data on the unit. For manual records (rest days, sick days, days off the vehicle), make sure those are in the cab too

This is one of those rules that sounds straightforward but catches people out — especially agency or temporary drivers who may not be up to speed with the updated requirement.

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Smart Tachograph Version 2: The Retrofit Deadline Has Passed

18 August 2025 was a critical date for any operator running vehicles fitted with Smart Tachograph 1 (Gen 1) on international routes. Those vehicles were required to be upgraded to Smart Tachograph Version 2 by that date.

Version 2 brings two key improvements: automated border-crossing registration and enhanced GPS tracking. The automated border recording is particularly relevant for compliance — the old manual process of recording country entries was a consistent source of errors and enforcement issues.

If your vehicles haven't been upgraded yet

Technically, if you're operating internationally with Smart Tach 1 past the deadline, you're already in breach. If you've missed this, the priority is to book the retrofit with an approved tachograph centre as soon as possible and document the steps you've taken. DVSA takes a dim view of operators who simply ignore deadlines, but demonstrating you're actively resolving an issue does make a difference.

For domestic-only operations, the immediate pressure is less acute — but keep an eye on how retrofit requirements evolve, as the direction of travel is clearly towards universal Version 2 adoption.

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DVSA Earned Recognition: Worth Considering If You're Not Already On It

With enforcement activity increasing and standards tightening across the board, DVSA Earned Recognition remains one of the most practical tools available to well-run operators. The scheme allows operators who consistently demonstrate high compliance standards to receive less frequent roadside checks — a tangible benefit if your vehicles regularly cover international routes.

The official DVSA Earned Recognition HGV Operator Audit Standards set out exactly what's expected across areas like driver hours, vehicle roadworthiness, maintenance records, and management systems. It's worth reading even if you're not applying — the standards essentially describe what good compliance looks like, and benchmarking against them is a useful exercise regardless.

Key areas the audit covers

• Drivers' hours and tachograph compliance — regular analysis, breach reporting, and driver communication
• Vehicle maintenance — documented PMI schedules, defect reporting, and brake testing records (which now need to reflect the new four-times-a-year requirement)
• Operator licence management — ensuring your licence reflects the vehicles you're actually running and that all conditions are being met

Operators using Fleet77 to manage defect reports, service records, and tachograph data will find it significantly easier to pull together the evidence an Earned Recognition audit requires, since everything is already documented in one place.

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London DVS Permits: Don't Get Caught Without One

If any of your vehicles operate in Greater London, make sure they hold a valid Direct Vision Standard (DVS) safety permit. Updated requirements are now in force, with the scheme focused on ensuring HGV drivers have adequate direct line-of-sight visibility of pedestrians and cyclists — a genuine road safety issue given the number of serious incidents involving HGVs in urban areas.

Permits are linked to the vehicle's DVS star rating. Lower-rated vehicles require a Progressive Safe System (PSS) to be in place before a permit is issued. Check Transport for London's portal to confirm your vehicles are covered — operating in Greater London without a valid permit can result in a penalty charge notice.

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Staying compliant in 2025 isn't getting easier, but it is manageable with the right systems in place. From brake test scheduling and tachograph record management to retrofit tracking and permit compliance, the key is having processes that are consistent and documented — not scrambling to find records when an enforcement officer is standing in front of your driver.

Try Fleet77 free or get in touch to see how it works.