UK Haulage 2025: New Rules, Key Shows, and Fleet Compliance Essentials

If there's one thing you can say about UK haulage in 2025, it's that standing still isn't an option. Between tightening safety rules, rising operating costs, and a calendar packed with industry events, there's plenty keeping transport managers and operators on their toes. Whether you're running a single truck or managing a large fleet, here's what you need to know to stay compliant, informed, and ahead of the curve this year.

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DVSA Regulatory Changes You Can't Afford to Ignore

Laden Brake Testing Is Now Mandatory

This is the big one. From 1 April 2025, the DVSA no longer accepts unladen roller brake tests (RBTs) for HGVs. Full stop.

Operators must now carry out a minimum of four laden roller brake tests per year for each vehicle. To pass, the vehicle needs to be loaded to at least 65% of its design axle weight — because that's how trucks actually operate on the road, and the DVSA wants test results to reflect that reality.

If you've been relying on quick, light-load brake checks to tick the compliance box, that approach no longer holds up. You'll need to plan your testing schedules around load availability and make sure your records are watertight. The DVSA Earned Recognition audit standards make clear that documented, regular brake performance data is central to demonstrating a well-managed maintenance regime — so this isn't just about passing a test, it's about building a proper audit trail.

DVS Phase 2 — The Grace Period Is Over

If any of your vehicles operate in Greater London, the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) Phase 2 is non-negotiable from 4 May 2025. The grace period has expired.

HGVs over 12 tonnes entering Greater London must now either hold a minimum three-star DVS rating or have the Progressive Safe System (PSS) fitted. The PSS includes technology such as audible warnings, sensors, and camera monitoring to protect vulnerable road users. Miss this, and you're looking at fines of £550 per day, per vehicle. That adds up very quickly.

If you're not sure where your vehicles stand on DVS ratings, check the Transport for London online tool and get your PSS installations booked in if needed.

HGV Levy and VED Have Gone Up

From 1 April 2025, both the HGV Road User Levy and Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) increased in line with the Retail Price Index. A Euro VI HGV over 38 tonnes is now looking at an annual levy of around £596. It's not a dramatic jump, but combined with fuel costs and everything else, it's another line on the spreadsheet that needs accounting for.

Driver CPC — More Flexibility on the Way

There's some good news on training. New National Driver CPC options are now available for drivers operating exclusively within the UK. These offer more flexible, UK-relevant training modules rather than the rigid international framework that many drivers found difficult to fit around their work schedules. If your drivers are domestic-only, it's worth exploring whether the new options work better for your operation.

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The UK Truck Market in 2025 — What the Numbers Tell Us

New HGV registrations dropped by around 10% in 2025, landing at roughly 40,504 units. That sounds concerning, but analysts largely describe it as a healthy normalisation after fleets were renewed rapidly in the post-pandemic years. Manufacturers were struggling to keep up with demand back then — now things are levelling out.

The more interesting story is in zero-emission vehicles. Electric HGVs still represent just 1.4% of the market, but the UK crossed the milestone of 1,000 zero-emission truck registrations in 2025. It's a small number in the grand scheme of things, but the direction of travel is clear. Operators who are planning fleet renewals in the next few years are already starting to factor in electric or hydrogen options, particularly as the CV Show's "Destination Net Zero" initiative continues to push the conversation forward.

One challenge that hasn't gone away is the driver shortage. Around 26% of HGV businesses reported driver vacancies in the final quarter of 2025, with retirements and better pay elsewhere pulling people out of the industry. Retention, training, and making the job more attractive remain pressing issues for operators of all sizes.

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Industry Events Worth Getting to in 2025

Commercial Vehicle Show — NEC Birmingham (29 April – 1 May)

The UK's biggest road transport event is always worth the trip. This year the focus is firmly on decarbonisation, with the "Destination Net Zero" theme running throughout. If you want to see the latest electric and alternative-fuel trucks in one place, this is the event.

Road Transport Expo (RTX) — NAEC Stoneleigh (24–26 June)

RTX has built a strong reputation for being genuinely useful rather than just a trade show. With over 300 exhibitors and live "Ride & Drive" sessions, it's a great opportunity to get behind the wheel of vehicles you're considering for your fleet.

Truckfest — Multiple Dates

The much-loved Truckfest series runs at Lincoln (4–5 May), West Midlands (4–5 July), and Wales (23–24 August). It's part show, part celebration of trucking culture — and a good chance to catch up with others in the industry.

British Truck Racing Championship — Brands Hatch (1–2 November)

A fun one to end the year — the season finale at Brands Hatch includes a fireworks display. Worth a visit if you want to remind yourself why trucks are genuinely brilliant machines.

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Keeping Your Fleet Compliant Day-to-Day

With so many regulatory changes landing at once, the admin side of compliance has never been more demanding. Laden brake test records, DVS documentation, CPC training logs, levy payments — it all needs to be tracked, stored, and ready to produce at a moment's notice.

Tools like TruckCheck are built for exactly this kind of environment, helping operators keep their vehicle inspection records, defect reporting, and maintenance schedules in one place — the sort of organised, auditable system that the DVSA Earned Recognition framework expects to see.

The key is consistency. Compliance isn't something you sort out when you get a call from the DVSA — it's something you build into your daily routine.

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Want to see how TruckCheck can help you manage fleet compliance without the paperwork headache? Try TruckCheck free or get in touch to see how it works.