UK Haulage 2025: DVSA Updates, Earned Recognition, and Key Industry Events

It's been a busy year for UK haulage. Between fresh DVSA rules, a surge in zero-emission trucks, and an ongoing driver shortage, there's plenty for operators and transport managers to keep on top of in 2025. Whether you're running a small owner-operator setup or managing a large fleet, staying compliant and informed is more important than ever. Here's a practical rundown of what's changed, what's coming, and what matters most right now.

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DVSA Regulatory Changes: What's New in 2025

The biggest shake-up this year came on 1 April 2025, when several new DVSA requirements came into force. If you haven't reviewed your maintenance and inspection processes since then, now's the time.

Brake Testing Just Got More Demanding

The DVSA now requires HGVs to complete at least four laden roller brake tests per year, with the vehicle loaded to at least 65% of its maximum capacity. Unladen brake tests are no longer accepted for safety inspections — full stop.

This is a meaningful change. Brake performance under load behaves very differently to an empty vehicle, and the DVSA has been pushing for more realistic testing conditions for some time. If your fleet has been relying on unladen tests to tick this box, you'll need to update your inspection schedules immediately. This requirement also aligns with the DVSA's Earned Recognition audit standards, which set out clear expectations around brake testing frequency and methodology for HGV operators (you can read the full standards here).

Paper MOT Certificates Are on Their Way Out

The DVSA is phasing out paper MOT pass certificates in favour of digital records. The aim is to improve accuracy and reduce the risk of fraud — and it makes practical sense for fleets trying to keep documentation tidy. Tools like TruckCheck already support digital record-keeping, so if your operation is still relying on physical paperwork, this transition is a nudge in the right direction.

Sideguard Exemptions Narrowed

More vehicle types are now required to fit sideguards following a tightening of previous exemptions. This is primarily about protecting vulnerable road users — cyclists and pedestrians — from being caught under the side of an HGV in a collision. Check whether any vehicles in your fleet previously fell under an exemption that no longer applies.

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International Operations: Tachograph and AETR Updates

If any of your drivers operate internationally, there are two key changes you need to have actioned already — or be working towards urgently.

56 Days of Records Required

As of April 2025, drivers on international routes must be able to produce 56 days of tachograph records on request — up from the previous 28 days. That's a doubling of the records drivers need to carry, and enforcement agencies in European countries are checking. Make sure your drivers are prepared and that your systems can support this.

Smart Tachograph Version 2 Deadline: August 2025

All vehicles over 3.5 tonnes operating internationally must be retrofitted with a Smart Tachograph Version 2 (Gen2) unit by August 2025. If you're running older analogue or first-generation digital units on international work, this is not optional. Get retrofitting booked in now — workshops are likely to get busy as the deadline approaches.

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The Bigger Picture: UK Haulage in Numbers

It's worth stepping back for a moment and looking at where the industry sits right now, because the figures tell an interesting story.

New HGV registrations fell 10% in 2025, totalling 40,504 units. That follows three years of strong post-pandemic fleet renewals, so some cooling off was expected — but the economic backdrop isn't making investment decisions easy for many operators.

On the other hand, zero-emission HGVs had a record-breaking year, with registrations up 170.5% (587 units), pushing the UK past 1,000 registered electric trucks. It's still a small fraction of the overall fleet, but the direction of travel is clear.

Road freight remains absolutely critical to the UK economy — 81% of inland freight moves by road, with GB-registered HGVs completing 163 million journeys and hauling 1.53 billion tonnes of goods in 2025. The challenge of "empty running" — trucks travelling without a load — remains stubbornly stuck at around 31% of total kilometres. Tackling that figure would have a significant impact on both costs and emissions across the industry.

On driver shortages: things are better than the crisis years of 2021, but 26% of HGV businesses still report vacancies, mostly driven by retirements and competition from better-paying sectors. It's a long-term structural problem, and there's no quick fix in sight.

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Driver Licensing and Speed Limit Updates

Digital Medical Declarations Being Piloted

The DVLA is trialling a digital-first medical self-declaration system for drivers aged 45 and over, intended to cut down on renewal delays. The D4 medical exam itself isn't going anywhere, but if the pilot goes well, the admin side of licence renewals should get smoother. Worth keeping an eye on.

Scottish Speed Limits May Change

Legislation is in progress to align Scottish single-carriageway HGV speed limits (currently 40mph) with the 50mph limit in England and Wales. No firm implementation date yet, but it's worth being aware of — particularly if you have drivers regularly crossing the border.

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2025 Truck Shows and Industry Events

After the regulatory talk, here's something a bit more enjoyable. It's been a solid year for industry events, and there's still time to catch the last few.

• Grampian Truck Show (April 19–20) – Moved to the excellent P&J Live venue in Aberdeen, with over 300 trucks on display.
• Road Transport Expo / RTX (June 24–26) – At NAEC Stoneleigh, with "Ride & Drive" experiences and strong decarbonisation content. A good one for anyone thinking about zero-emission vehicles.
• Truckfest South West (August 30–31) – Shepton Mallet Showground, featuring monster trucks and the kind of entertainment that reminds you why people love this industry.
• Trucks & Fireworks @ Brands Hatch (November 1–2) – The season closer, combining the British Truck Racing Championship with a proper fireworks show. A great way to round off the year.

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2025 is shaping up to be one of the more demanding years for compliance in recent memory, but it's also a time of genuine change — from digital records to cleaner vehicles and smarter systems. Staying on top of it all is easier when your documentation and inspection records are in order.

Try TruckCheck free, or get in touch to see how it works — truckcheck.co.uk