Logistics UK releases Compliance Report 2026

Annual test pass rates are up, more HGVs are assessed as low-risk by DVSA, and fewer have been involved in collisions than in the previous 12 months, according to Logistics UK’s Compliance Report 2026 – despite the persistent cost pressures and economic uncertainty faced by road transport operators.

In its annual assessment of regulatory compliance across the sector – launched last week at the latest in its series of Transport Manager conferences in Falkirk – Logistics UK highlights the impact of investment by operators in safety technology, and says fleet management, telematics and digital compliance systems are all helping to reduce risk.

“This year’s report shows that, against the backdrop of an increasingly complex operating environment, with rising costs and economic uncertainty adding pressure, our sector continues to make great strides in compliance,” said Logistics UK’s chief executive Ben Fletcher.

“Investing in tools and technologies has provided operators with greater oversight of UK fleets, and ensured logistics can continue to deliver goods safely and efficiently.”

The HGV annual test initial fail rate has dropped from 10.4 to 10.0 per cent in 2025/26 against the previous year, the report notes, and has now reduced by more than two thirds since 2008/09, when the initial fail rate was 32.4 per cent.

Final test rates are also down to 6.7 per cent, versus 7.1 per cent in 2024/25 and 17.7 per cent in 2008/09.

In addition, collisions involving HGVs are steadily decreasing – the number of reported incidents fell by 5.3 per cent from 2023 to 2024, with casualties also down by 4.6 per cent.

Since 2004, reported HGV accidents have fallen by 74 per cent. The report cites the aggregate impact of advances in technology such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), improved driver training regimes, higher standards of vehicle safety and the increasing sophistication of fleet safety management.

Ben Fletcher added: “These figures demonstrate just how seriously the sector takes road safety, and the impact that the positive actions taken by the sector have had, and it is thanks to operators investing in the latest technology, maintaining vehicles to a high standard and educating workforces that there are fewer accidents involving HGVs on the strategic roads network.

“Continued investment in safer road layouts, targeted enforcement and industry-led safety initiatives have also contributed to the downward trend.”

The report also sheds light on improvements in fleet performance on the DVSA’s operator compliance risk score (OCRS), which the agency uses to target roadside inspections and depot audits: red-band operators are highest-risk, and green-band fleets are low-risk, with blue representing exemplary compliance.

Green-rated fleets were up to 69.1 per cent from 66.5 per cent in 2024/25, and blue-rated fleets up 0.7 per cent from 0.6 per cent. 98.7 per cent of blue-band operators achieved first-time pass rates at annual test.

But the report additionally identifies challenges faced by the sector, such as that of maintaining a sufficiently skilled driver workforce. It finds that, while acute shortages seen during the pandemic have eased, structural issues remain, including an ageing workforce – the average HGV driver is now 48 – continued competition for skilled labour, and difficulties in attracting younger recruits. Only approximately four per cent of the current driver workforce are under 25.

“Without drivers, we would not have clothes in our stores, food on our supermarket shelves and medicine in our pharmacies,” said Ben Fletcher.

“It is essential that the sector has the capabilities to address these challenges, which involves not only hiring for the right roles, but the right skills too. Employers and policymakers must work together, ensuring entry and progression pathways are accessible and deliverable for all.”

On HGV annual test failure items, the ranking of common causes was unchanged in 2025/26, with lamps remaining the most frequent item to attract a fail, followed by brake systems and components, service brake performance, headlamp aim and suspension.

For trailers, braking issues accounted for the top three reasons for test fails. Service brake performance was the lead culprit, followed by parking brake performance and brake systems and components.

While traffic checks increased in 2025/26, prohibitions for drivers’ hours breaches fell by 1,053 to 930. But results for overloading were less favourable, with the prohibition rate increasing from 22.3 per cent to 27.7 per cent, despite a 7.7 per cent fall in the number of weight checks.

Commenting on the overall positive compliance landscape, Mr Fletcher concluded: “Our report highlights once again the commitment the sector has to compliance and ensuring essential goods are transported in the safest possible way for the businesses and communities that depend on them.”

The full report can be downloaded from the Logistics UK website.