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Wheel Chocks on Beavertails – Understanding the Legal Requirements
Published on: 13th October 2025
There has been increasing discussion across the transport and construction sectors about the use of wheel chocks. Some operators consider them essential, while others rarely use them, and a few believe it’s only required for London operations due to FORS standards or specific site rules. In reality, the legislation is clear. If you operate a rigid beavertail vehicle carrying plant or access equipment, UK government guidance requires both lashings and physical blocks – including wheel chocks.
This requirement is not about preventing the truck itself from rolling while parked, but about ensuring the machine being transported – whether a digger, MEWP, roller, or telehandler – remains completely immobile during transit.
Lashings first: Plant and machinery must be secured using appropriately rated lashings, such as chains or heavy-duty straps. Four tie-down points are standard for larger machines, while lighter equipment should use no fewer than three. Any booms, buckets, or attachments must also be individually restrained
Rear restraint: There must also be a physical barrier behind the load. On a beavertail, this is typically achieved using wheel chocks or heavy blocks placed behind the wheels. Crucially, DVSA guidance specifies that chocks or blocks must be secured to the vehicle deck. A loose block of timber is not compliant and will not meet enforcement standards.
In summary: wheel chocks (or equivalent physical restraints) form a mandatory part of the load securing system. They are not optional, and if DVSA inspectors find your load unchocked, you are not meeting official load security guidance.
Why Wheel Chocks Matter
Understanding the forces involved during transport highlights why chocks are essential:
On level ground, the main hazard is braking force. A sudden stop can propel several tonnes of plant forward. Chocks positioned in front of the wheels act as a wedge, supporting the lashings and preventing movement.
On a beavertail incline, gravity constantly pulls the load backwards. Even with the handbrake applied and lashings tightened, weight can shift. Chocks positioned behind the wheels provide the final safeguard against roll-off.
DVSA guidance is explicit: lashings provide the primary restraint, while chocks serve as the secondary, physical stop that prevents wheel rotation. Used together, they deliver maximum load security and compliance.
How to Use Wheel Chocks Correctly
Proper use of chocks is straightforward but must be done correctly:
Always use at least two. One chock is unreliable; a pair correctly positioned prevents movement in both directions.
Position chocks appropriately. On flat surfaces, place them in front of the wheels to resist forward motion. On slopes, behind the wheels to resist rollback.
Secure the chocks.Bolt, strap, or lock them into a chock pocket on the vehicle deck. Loose chocks cannot perform effectively.
Never replace lashings with chocks. DVSA guidance requires lashings plus chocks, not one or the other.
Make chocking part of your standard routine.Lash, chock, check, and go – following this sequence every time prevents errors and ensures compliance.
Sterling’s Approach
At Sterling, we have integrated wheel chock systems into our beavertail designs to make compliance both simpler and more efficient for operators. Every Sterling beavertail can be supplied with wheel chocks and a dedicated stowage bracket on the headboard, available on customer request. This ensures that drivers always have the correct equipment accessible and visible during their daily walkaround checks – making compliance effortless and load safety consistent.
The law is clear and enforceable: plant on a beavertail must be secured using lashings and physical restraints.
Wheel chocks are a required component of that system, particularly for the rear wheels.
Use them correctly – front on level ground, rear on slopes, always fixed in place, and always in addition to lashings.
Sterling beavertails are designed with chock storage and integration as standard options for legal, efficient operations.
Many operators still view wheel chocks as optional, and it’s understandable – for years, plant and machinery have been transported successfully using only lashings.
However, current government guidance and DVSA enforcement make chocks a legal requirement. Considering that wheel chocks are inexpensive compared to the potential cost of a load incident, using them every time ensures you remain legally compliant, professionally responsible, and operationally safe.
"‘We have had Sterling bodies on the fleet since 2017 and they have always performed well for the machines that we operate. The backup support allows us to rely on maximum up-time for our delivery service to our clients. With the new livery and the enhancements to the specification, these trucks will allow us to maintain the highest standards of safety and efficiency for years to come.’ "
