Updates to DVSA roadworthiness documents

DVSA has made improvements to its Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness for HGV and PSV fleets in Great Britain, which includes best practice advice for transport managers and drivers on a range of items to keep vehicles safe on the road.

“Tyre management and what to look for on walkaround checks are covered as well as a range of items including advice on towing, brake performance, emissions and fuel manage­ment and PSV bus reportable incidents,” said the agency.

“Keeping to good mainte­nance schedules will help keep operators and drivers safe on the road and help prevent inci­dents from happening.”

DVSA has also revised its guidance on how it categorises vehicle roadworthiness defects during roadside checks. The updated version is in effect as of 5 May. Changes include addi­tional load security defects and notes, and a defect and note on wheel hub flanges specific to MAN vehicles. Guidance on cuts to seatbelt webbing, and clarification on drivers’ mirrors and defective doors, now align with advice in DVSA inspection manuals, and there is advice on jammed or obstructed doors on vehicles.

Both the Guide to Maintain­ing Roadworthiness and guid­ance on categorisation of de­fects can be found at the gov.uk website.