From 1 April 2023, some changes will take effect in the HGV and PSV inspection manuals.

The changes have been made following feedback and review from our stakeholders.

What are the changes?

The main changes cover updates on:

• Inappropriate modification
• Free Rolling Tyres (FRTs) on front steered axles
• Wheel flanges
• Seat belt webbing
• 1c Tachograph fitment
• Flashing stop lamps
• Trailer EBS conditioning process
• PSV brake testing

What does this mean for my business?

We’ve published copies of the updated manuals now on GOV.UK for you to read, so you can familiarise yourself with the changes before 1 April 2023:

• PSV Inspection Manual
• HGV Inspection Manual

Please refer to the revision record section contained in the front of each manual after the title page, which lists all the updates for each section and their location.

We have highlighted a few of the key updates below:

• the introduction of a failure for FRT marked tyres fitted on front steered axles
• the addition of a deficiency (failure) for loose wheels studs/bolts to hub to include wheel flanges in response to modern technology introduced on heavy vehicles
• a clarification on the standards to apply for cuts and damage to seat belt webbing
• an added deficiency (failure) for any flashing stop lamp (a prohibition will be issued if all are flashing)
• updated sections on PSV brake testing to clarify brake efficiency calculations for gross weight (vehicles before 1982) design weights (after 1982) if vehicles don’t get any lock up on the test