More than half a year after the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) updated its guidance on heavy goods vehicle brake assessments, TIP has confirmed that over 23,000 trailers across the UK are now equipped with its BrakePlus Electronic Braking Performance Monitoring System (EBPMS). The revised Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness requires braking systems to be evaluated at every service inspection, either through a traditional roller brake test or via verified data from an approved monitoring system.
With operators increasingly recognising the operational and financial advantages of EBPMS, reliance on regular workshop visits for roller brake tests has begun to decline. TIP’s commercial director, Karl Davies, noted that frequent trips off the road for testing can be disruptive and costly, prompting many fleets to adopt continuous monitoring instead. BrakePlus tracks braking force against deceleration in real time, providing early warnings of reduced effectiveness.
TIP emphasises, however, that EBPMS is not a substitute for physical roller brake testing. While BrakePlus highlights performance changes, it does not pinpoint specific axles or assess the parking brake. Roller brake tests remain essential for detailed diagnostics and are routinely carried out whenever the system flags a potential issue. They also continue to form a core part of annual MOT requirements.
The company reports strong industry uptake, with thousands more installations expected over the next six months, including on third-party trailers. TIP believes the growing adoption reflects the clear benefits of integrating continual braking performance monitoring into fleet safety practices.
