The UK haulage sector is under growing pressure to meet tightening compliance requirements, uphold high safety standards and deliver greater operational efficiency – all while operating on razor-thin margins.

While much of the conversation around fleet optimisation focuses on trucks, a new spotlight is being shone on trailers.  These unsung assets are essential to long-haul transport, but they now face stricter scrutiny, particularly following the DVSA’s updated rules on trailer brake testing, which took effect in April.

Forward-thinking HGV fleets are reevaluating how they manage, maintain, and utilise their trailers – not just to comply with regulations, but to cut costs, reduce risk, and improve sustainability.

Compliance just got stricter – and smarter

The DVSA now requires all trailers to undergo more frequent laden brake performance assessments. 

Laden roller brake tests or Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring Systems (EBPMS) are the only accepted methods of compliance, with limited exceptions. The changes represent a significant regulatory step up – and for many operators, a logistical challenge.

Importantly, this is more than just guidance. The DVSA is actively enforcing the new standards through roadside checks and audits. Operators who fail to comply risk vehicle prohibitions, costly delays, and reputational damage, making proactive compliance a business-critical priority.

But this isn’t just a compliance issue. It’s also an opportunity to embed smarter, more cost-effective fleet practices. 

Solutions, such as Webfleet’s Brake Performance Report, which is DVSA-compliant under the new standards, provide real-time trailer brake monitoring.

By continuously collecting data from the trailer’s EBS, these systems enable operators to monitor braking performance remotely, identify anomalies early, and track trends over time – thereby reducing downtime, preventing faults, and enhancing fleet safety.

From reactive to proactive: maintenance redefined

Trailer maintenance has traditionally been reactive, responding to faults as they arise. But with mounting pressure on uptime and safety, operators are shifting towards proactive, data-led strategies.

Advanced fleet management platforms can provide real-time visibility into trailer health, including tyre pressure, brake performance, coupling status, load status and distribution. By analysing this data, fleet managers can intervene before problems become costly disruptions.

Webfleet customers, for example, who use real-time trailer data, have been able to reduce workshop visits, avoid breakdowns, and streamline inspection planning. By detecting minor issues early – such as gradual declines in braking efficiency or abnormal tyre wear – they avoid larger failures, improve safety, and keep trailers on the road.

Automated maintenance reminders, integrated with digital records, also help ensure timely servicing.

Drivers: your first line of defence

Technology is critical – but drivers remain essential in identifying issues before they become incidents. With many DVSA prohibition items attributable to faults that could have been caught during routine checks, driver vigilance is as vital as ever.

Regular walkaround inspections, coupled with consistent reporting processes, remain a frontline defence against non-compliance.

Digital vehicle check tools can help, allowing drivers to log defects easily and alert fleet managers instantly. This ensures that nothing is missed and fosters a culture of shared responsibility among drivers, workshops, and operations teams.

In-house vs outsourced: striking the right balance

For many fleets, the decision to manage trailer maintenance in-house or through third parties depends on factors such as scale, specialism and cost. Outsourcing may provide access to expert technicians and flexible capacity, while in-house teams offer more control and responsiveness. Regardless of the chosen route, consistent oversight is crucial. 

According to DVSA data, more than 78% of trailer-related prohibitions are issued to operators that outsource maintenance. This underscores the importance of visibility, audit trails and performance tracking – all areas where telematics tools can help bridge the gap.

Webfleet, for example, supports both models by offering a single, centralised view of maintenance schedules, defect reports and trailer health metrics.

Maximising utilisation, minimising emissions

Beyond maintenance and compliance, dedicated, connected trailer management solutions can deliver significant gains in utilisation and sustainability. Real-time load status, location and axle weight data help reduce empty running, monitor overloading and inform more intelligent asset allocation.

Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), such as those available through fleet management platforms, utilise advanced sensors to monitor tyre pressure and temperature continuously. By detecting issues such as slow leaks or overheating early, TPMS helps prevent blowouts, improves vehicle handling and supports safer driving conditions for both HGV drivers and other road users. 

In addition, by maintaining optimal pressure, fleets can improve fuel efficiency, extend tyre life and reduce CO₂ emissions.

Fleet data also supports more strategic asset planning. Freight shipping specialist Ferryspeed, which manages more than 600 vehicles and trailers, achieved more than £250,000 in trailer procurement savings using Webfleet’s trailer management solution. 

By identifying underutilised assets and tailoring new purchases to trip requirements, Ferryspeed not only reduced the number of trailers needed but also achieved a 20% improvement in utilisation. 

For sustainability-focused fleets, these improvements align with broader environmental goals, while also strengthening the business case for connected technology.

A joined-up approach to trailer operations

Trailer management solutions can consolidate all aspects of trailer monitoring into a single system, including brake performance, TPMS, load status, location tracking, and more, providing a comprehensive and fully integrated view of trailer operations.

This allows operators to plan smarter, act faster and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Maintenance reminders, movement notifications, utilisation reports and coupling status are all readily available within Webfleet, for example, helping fleet teams make informed, timely decisions.

The solution integrates easily with existing workflows and connects to all leading Electronic Braking Systems (EBS), enabling seamless adoption across diverse trailer fleets. By aligning trailers and trucks within the same telematics ecosystem, operators benefit from consistent visibility and simplified management.

Adapting to new rules – and staying ahead

Now that the DVSA’s quarterly brake testing regulations are in force, the bar for trailer compliance has been raised. 

Fleets that move quickly to adopt connected maintenance practices stand to benefit most, not just by avoiding penalties but by transforming trailer management into a source of operational advantage.

The most successful operators are using this regulatory shift as a catalyst – implementing technologies that reduce downtime, enhance safety, and future-proof their trailer strategy.

Innovation doesn’t just mean new tools, it means better alignment between people, process and data. In the fast-paced world of logistics, this alignment can make the difference between merely surviving and thriving.

As trailer compliance becomes more data-driven, the fleets that succeed will be those that see connected maintenance not as a box to tick, but as a strategic tool to improve uptime, safety and long-term sustainability.