Truck Tail Lift Inspections Become a Sellers' Asset as Germany Tightens Safety Training
Published on 06/18/2026 at 10:13 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
When a used MAN TGS with a car transporter or a Mercedes-Benz Atego with a box body goes on sale, one detail can make or break the deal: a complete UVV inspection record. In the German used-truck market, documentation that spans years—some vehicles carrying approvals valid until spring 2027—has become a premium mark. The lapses, however, come at a time when the standards for the people doing those checks are getting a fresh look.
Hydraulic tail lifts are the focus. June saw the LTS-Akademie run a qualification course for what German regulations call “competent persons”—employees with a technical trade background and hands-on hydraulic experience. The training follows the DGUV principle 308?002 and is recognized by the statutory accident insurance bodies. According to the Technical Rule for Operational Safety (TRBS 1203), these competent persons must keep their knowledge current, but the law does not set a fixed interval. In practice, the industry orients itself around the VDE revision cycle of roughly three years.
Keeping a documented risk assessment for equipment like hydraulic tail lifts isn't just good practice—it's a legal obligation that many employers overlook. A free Risk Assessment Toolkit gives you 41 ready-to-use templates and checklists to help you identify and record workplace hazards in line with UK regulations. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
The stakes go beyond routine maintenance. Around 40 percent of users report malfunctions in driver-assistance systems, and experts say checking those systems is becoming harder because manufacturers do not release full diagnostic codes. The Federal Ministry of Transport is working on an update to the inspection guidelines to close that gap.
Meanwhile, the annual Day of Traffic Safety on June 20 drew attention to a persistent hazard. The DGUV warned that the blind spot on heavy commercial vehicles—especially in delivery traffic where tail lifts are frequently deployed—still poses a serious risk for pedestrians and cyclists. The organization urged stronger awareness campaigns and practical drills for safe behavior around trucks.
The broader challenge is a shortage of skilled technicians. To address it, the Federal Ministry of Education and the German Confederation of Skilled Trades launched a new phase of the Alliance for Training and Continuing Education. Running from 2026 to 2029, the initiative focuses on career orientation and securing basic competencies, with the goal of ensuring a long-term pipeline of qualified personnel for safety-critical inspection work.
Disclaimer regarding our articles: No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Information on prices, companies, and markets is provided without guarantee; changes are possible at any time. Stock market transactions can lead to substantial losses. Our articles are created and reviewed in whole or in part automatically with the support of AI.
