Safety inspection intervals - the DVSA 4-13 week table and how to plan by ISO week

The DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness (April 2025 edition) is the benchmark the Traffic Commissioners and the Upper Tribunal use. Its rules on safety inspections are short but unforgiving.

The frequency table

The frequency you choose is recorded on VOL and becomes an undertaking. You may shorten it freely; extending it requires updating VOL first. Mileage-based regimes are allowed but must be linked to time and declared as the equivalent maximum number of weeks (tick "mixed frequency" on VOL when different assets run at different intervals).

Plan by ISO week

The guide recommends ISO weeks (Monday-Sunday). An inspection falls due in a particular week and must be done within that week. Example from the guide: first-use inspection in week 10, six-weekly interval → inspections in weeks 16, 22, 28, 34, 40, 46… If a vehicle is inspected early (say week 20 after a breakdown), you either inspect again in week 22 and keep the pattern, or reset the sequence from week 20 - you may not stretch to week 28.

OperatorCompliance computes the next due date from the last inspection and the asset's declared interval, shows the ISO week, warns 7 days before and raises an overdue alert the day after the week ends.

What an inspection must include

Everything in the annual-test inspection manual for that vehicle type, plus anything specific to your operation (tail-lifts, ULEZ, Direct Vision). Each record must show: operator name; date and ISO week; who inspected; location; registration or trailer ID; make/model; odometer; every item and its condition; defects found; remedial work and who did it; a signed declaration that the vehicle is roadworthy. Records stay on file for 15 months, including for vehicles you have sold.

Brake performance

Every inspection needs a brake-performance assessment: a laden roller brake test (can be within 14 days before), an EBPMS report (trailers), or a decelerometer with temperature readings. Where laden tests are not done at every inspection, expect a minimum of four laden tests a year spread evenly and a written risk assessment. Print-outs are attached to the inspection record.

Tyres

Tyre age must be recorded. Tyres over 10 years old must not be used on the front steered axle of an HGV, bus or coach, or on any single-wheel position of a minibus; record and risk-assess any legal use of tyres over 10 years elsewhere, and flag tyres at 9 years as advisory.

VOR (vehicle off road)

Declare VOR on the maintenance file with date and reason. A vehicle that misses an inspection while VOR must be inspected before returning to service; you may then restart the sequence from that inspection. Make sure no one can use a VOR vehicle by mistake.

First-use inspections and hired assets

Newly acquired, hired or borrowed vehicles and trailers need a first-use inspection (to annual-test standard, laden brake test where appropriate) unless credible evidence of a recent inspection comes with them. You are responsible for the roadworthiness of a trailer you tow even if you do not own it, and for records while it is in your possession.

Frequently asked questions

How often should HGV safety inspections be?

You choose a frequency from the DVSA bands: 10 to 13 weeks for lightly loaded easy work, 6 to 10 weeks for general haulage and trunking, 4 to 6 weeks for arduous constant heavy loads, 4 weeks for off-road difficult conditions, and 6 weeks for any vehicle or trailer 12 years or older. The interval you pick is recorded on VOL.

Can I change my safety inspection interval?

You may shorten it freely, but extending it requires updating VOL first, because the frequency is an undertaking. Mileage-based regimes are allowed but must be linked to time and declared as an equivalent maximum number of weeks. If different assets run at different intervals, tick mixed frequency on VOL.

What is planning by ISO week?

The DVSA guide recommends scheduling inspections by ISO week, Monday to Sunday. An inspection falls due in a particular week and must be done within it. If a vehicle is inspected early, you either inspect again in the originally planned week to keep the pattern, or reset the sequence from the early date. You may not stretch beyond the due week.

How long must safety inspection records be kept?

Records must be kept on file for 15 months, including for vehicles you have sold. Each record must show the operator, date and ISO week, who inspected, the vehicle identity and odometer, every item and its condition, defects found, remedial work and who did it, and a signed declaration that the vehicle is roadworthy.

Sources

• Guide to maintaining roadworthiness
• HGV inspection manual
• Being a goods vehicle operator