Samsara Launches Smart Trailer Brake Monitoring to Meet DVSA Rules
Samsara, the trailblazing force behind the Connected Operations® Platform, has thrown its weight behind the future of fleet safety with a timely new launch: the Electronic Brake Performance Monitoring System (EBPMS). This intelligent system arrives just as the UK’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) prepares to roll out new compliance guidelines in April 2025, demanding stricter monitoring of brake performance across commercial fleets.
Currently, fleets are required to carry out four laden roller brake tests (RBTs) per year—a process that eats up valuable time, not to mention budget. But here’s the twist: by adopting a compliant EBPMS, operators could reduce their reliance on frequent physical tests, demonstrating ongoing brake performance digitally and, crucially, in real time.
David Gal, Samsara’s Vice President of Product and Engineering, put it simply: “The introduction of EBPMS marks a major step forward for fleet safety and operational efficiency. Our new system enables proactive maintenance, minimising costly failures and vehicle downtime.”
The Brains Behind the Brakes
So, what exactly makes Samsara’s EBPMS stand out? For starters, it integrates directly with trailer electronic braking systems (EBS), pulling real-time data through Samsara’s Asset Gateway. This isn’t just clever—it’s practical. The system continuously monitors brake performance, flags anomalies, and empowers fleet managers to act before a fault turns into a failure.
Gal added: “Fleet operators can proactively address braking issues before they become problematic, and could save fleets up to £1,200 per trailer a year.” For companies running large fleets, those savings stack up quickly.
One business already on board is Lancashire-based Fox Brothers, which manages more than 80 heavy-duty vehicles in aggregate and recycled material haulage. Simon Colderley, their Transport Manager, welcomed the move: “We’re keen to implement Samsara’s new EBPMS solution across our trailer fleet to meet compliance requirements.”
And the benefit? “Rather than taking trailers off the road for manual testing, being able to import performance data directly will make testing much easier – especially since our fleet operates nationwide.”
Plug and Play Simplicity
If there’s one thing fleet managers don’t want, it’s overcomplicated tech. That’s where Samsara’s EBPMS earns extra marks. Its ‘plug and play’ nature means rapid deployment without tearing up operational workflows.
Lee Wills, Director at Conway Bailey Transport Ltd / RR Transport Ltd, praised Samsara’s consistent delivery: “When the Samsara team promises something, they follow through. Samsara’s EBPMS will provide a one-stop solution for our trailer compliance needs.”
Instead of a patchwork of systems stitched together with duct tape and hope, Samsara offers a unified platform—one pane of glass, as they say. It’s a simpler, smarter, and more scalable approach to compliance.
TPMS: Not Just Hot Air
While brake systems may be front and centre, tyres aren’t far behind. With the EU mandating Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) for new trailers from July 2024, the UK is expected to follow suit. Samsara, not one to be caught napping, is rolling out its own TPMS as part of its Smart Trailer suite.
This open beta system tracks tyre pressure and temperature, sending real-time alerts when things go awry. By catching slow leaks, underinflation, or dangerous overheating, TPMS helps cut down breakdown risks and boosts fuel efficiency.
Whether it’s a puncture waiting to happen or heat build-up from dragging brakes, the system gets ahead of trouble before it rolls into a disaster.
Samsara’s Smart Trailer Suite: A Full Toolkit for Fleet Mastery
EBPMS and TPMS are just two features in Samsara’s growing arsenal of trailer tech. The broader Smart Trailer solution is designed to give operators full-spectrum visibility over their rolling assets—powered or not.
Key features include:
- GPS Tracking: Real-time visibility into trailer location, history, and usage.
- Geofencing: Custom alerts for unauthorised movement from depots, yards or client sites.
- Real-time Alerts: Get notified of unexpected door openings, security breaches, or environmental threshold violations.
- Smart Sensors: Monitor brake pad condition, tyre pressure, temperature, humidity, and more.
- Centralised Platform: One dashboard for tracking and managing trailers at scale.
In practice, this means fleet managers can spot underutilised trailers, anticipate failures, and optimise routes – all from one central interface. It’s a data-driven approach to cutting waste and boosting uptime.
A Broader Push Across EMEA
This launch isn’t just about the UK. Samsara is steadily advancing its Smart Trailer initiative across the wider EMEA region, aligning with similar moves towards tech-enabled transport regulation in the EU and beyond. As the line between regulatory necessity and competitive advantage continues to blur, it’s clear that smart fleet tech isn’t just nice to have—it’s business-critical.
And the Connected Operations® Platform that underpins it all? That’s Samsara’s crown jewel. With tens of thousands of customers across logistics, manufacturing, construction, and the public sector, the company is helping shape the future of physical operations. The goal? To make them safer, more efficient, and ultimately more sustainable.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
With stricter safety regulations looming and costs under constant pressure, UK fleets are at a crossroads. Embracing intelligent solutions like Samsara’s EBPMS and TPMS isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s a smart move toward long-term resilience.
Whether it’s reducing downtime, streamlining compliance, or safeguarding drivers and cargo, the benefits speak for themselves. And as the pace of change accelerates, companies that invest in integrated, scalable technologies today will be the ones driving the industry forward tomorrow.
