Includes dedicated failures of tractor-and-trailer coupling safety, including coupling or uncoupling procedures, engagement verification, foreign-object control, operator checks and safety features intended to prevent or respond to decoupling.
What is not included
Excludes generic training, staffing, inspection or documentation deficiencies not explicitly tied to tractor-and-trailer coupling safety.
Excludes unrelated vehicle, equipment or bed-wheel locking failures.
Excludes general testing or operational failures that do not concern tractor-and-trailer coupling or decoupling.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency2
Health and Safety Executive2
3D Trans Limited1
Agricultural Engineers Association1
British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association1
Department for Transport1
Ministry of Defence1
National Farmers' Union (NFU)1
Ministerial department2
Road and vehicle agency2
Workplace safety regulator2
Private limited company1
Trade association1
Type not available1
Reports and published responses 4 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
Derby and Derbyshire
Concerns raised1
Failure to require safety features preventing decoupling of tractors and trailers used on public roads
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked responses
Agricultural Engineers Association
British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association
Department for Transport
Health and Safety Executive
National Farmers' Union (NFU)
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
National Farmers' Union (NFU)
Educate members through magazines and events about daily safety checks, suitable equipment, braking systems, breakaway systems, hitch types and maintenance.
Department for Transport
Instruct officials to examine further measures for ensuring the roadworthiness of tractors, trailers and coupling devices.
Department for Transport
Continue monitoring the effectiveness of vehicle safety regulations to identify potential amendments.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Agricultural Engineers Association and British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association
The Secretary of State for Transport is responsible for deciding whether to amend legislation on agricultural tractor and trailer safety requirements.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Health and Safety Executive
Use of agricultural vehicles on public roads falls outside HSE’s workplace health and safety enforcement remit.
Outside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Health and Safety Executive
Public-road vehicle testing, safety features and coupling requirements are matters for DVSA or other appropriate organisations.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Health and Safety Executive
Dutyholders must assess agricultural machinery risks and implement reasonably practicable measures to control them.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Cheshire
Concerns raised1
Lack of regular and periodic training for all drivers in coupling and uncoupling procedures
Linked responses
3D Trans Limited
Health and Safety Executive
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
3D Trans Limited
Strengthen driver training with quarterly coupling and uncoupling refreshers, procedure review, video learning, comprehension tests, and two-year record retention.
Health and Safety Executive
Produce and provide industry-specific guidance on managing coupling and uncoupling risks for articulated vehicles.
Health and Safety Executive
Produce and provide cross-industry workplace transport guidance covering practical coupling and uncoupling safety measures.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
3D Trans Limited
The strengthened quarterly driver training programme is considered sufficient to address the report, so no additional action is proposed.
No action considered necessaryThe respondent said that no further action was needed.
Health and Safety Executive
Employers are responsible for deciding refresher-training intervals based on risks specific to their businesses.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Health and Safety Executive
Existing training, monitoring and supervision measures for 3D Trans drivers are considered sufficient for safe coupling and uncoupling.
Existing arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Cumbria
Concerns raised4
Failure to conduct Jockey Wheel tests to indicate coupling-head engagement
Failure to ensure full engagement of towing mechanisms through full visual inspection
Foreign objects in tow hitch couplings preventing apparent full engagement
Failure to ensure that coupler interiors are free from foreign objects
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Exeter and Greater Devon
Concerns raised1
Incomplete training in trailer coupling and uncoupling procedures
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
Ministry of Defence
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Ministry of Defence
Improve DROPS operator training for towing KINGS trailers and support it with step-by-step coupling and uncoupling video guidance.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.