National roller brake testing procedure

The National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual (NHVIM) sets out the inspection requirements for brake performance. However, we recognise that a national procedure for in-service brake testing using a roller brake test (RBT) machine is also required.

Download the National roller brake testing procedure:

National RBT procedure rollout

Working with Transport for NSW, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), and the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), we conducted a series of trials to gain a better understanding of how real-world heavy vehicle brake performance relates to test results for roller brake machines.

The new National RBT procedure was rolled out in two stages from February 2018.

Stage 1 

Stage one of the rollout required RBT machines to be updated, where necessary, to provide both dynamic and static test results. Once this was completed, brake performance tests were required in accordance with the alternative phase-in procedure outlined in Phasing in the National roller brake testing procedure (PDF, 1.3MB).

During Stage one, updates were made to Government-operated RBT machines and Authorised Officers (AOs) commenced using the National RBT procedure to update equipment.

Third-party inspection stations, such as approved inspection stations (AISs), received the updates as part of the scheduled service and calibration inspections of their RBT machines.

During this time, we also worked with States and Territories to provide information about the introduction of the new National RBT procedure.

Stage 2

Stage two of the rollout requires software updates be made to the RBT machines. The completion of Stage two of the rollout has been delayed due to industry and other pressures.

We are continuing to work with RBT machine manufacturers to develop the required software updates and will provide further information about the rollout of these updates when it is available

More Information

For more information about the New National RBT Procedure please refer to VSG21 - National roller brake testing procedure (PDF, 229KB).