HGV - Guidance to carry out daily walk-around checks
Are you a lorry driver? If your answer is yes, you are responsible to make sure your vehicle is safe to drive. To make sure your vehicle is safe to drive you need to carry out a walk-around check of the vehicle before your journey.
Did you find any defect? You need to report it in writing. The results of your checks must be recorded and any defects must be reported. All defects must be fixed before the vehicle is driven.
It is good practice driving a safe vehicle. The police and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) officers can stop you to do checks on your vehicles.
You can wath the official DVSA guide video here.
Navigation
- Checking outside the HGV
- Checking inside the HGV
- Recording and reporting defects
Checking outside the HGV
Your visual check starts from the moment you approach your vehicle.
Make sure:
- all doors are free of damage and secure when closed
- landing legs are secure
- body panels on unit and trailer are secure
- side guards and rear under-run guards are fitted if required and must be free from damage
2. Mirrors and windscreen
Checking mirrors and windscreen should be performed from outside and inside of the vehicle.
Check that the windscreen is not cracked or scratched.
Check that the windscreen and front side windows are not damaged. They should not be excessively tinted.
All mirrors must be in place.
If the vehicle has a camera system installed instead of a mirror, check that it works and the view is correct.
3. Tyre and wheel fixing
Make sure all tyres and wheels are secure.
- all tyres must have a tread depth of at least 1mm and must be inflated correctly
- check for any deep cuts
- cord must not be visible anywhere on the tyre
- make sure there are no objects between the twin wheels
- check that all wheel nut indicators (if they are fitted) are in correct positions and have not moved.
- All wheel nuts must be tight enough
4. Lights and indicators
Make sure:
- all lights and indicators are clean and work correctly
- all lenses are fitted and clean
- marker lights are fitted and and fully working
5. Check the level of Diesel, Red Diesel, AdBlue and check fuel or oil leaks
Before the journey check your vehicle has enough fuel in all the tanks. Diesel, AdBlue in your unit and Red Diesel in the trailer tank if you have a fridge trailer.
Check for any fuel or oil leaks underneath the vehicle.
Check that the fuel caps are in their places and fitted correctly.
Check that your vehicle is securely attached to your trailer and that the:
- trailer is located correctly in the fifth wheel or coupling
- secondary locking devices are in the correct position
6. Brakes lines Unit/Trailer
Make sure:
- there is no damage or wear to the brake lines and no leaks
- couplings must be free from damage and debris
- the trailer parking brake works
- to perform initial brake test
Leave the engine running to build up sufficient air pressure for the unit and trailer. When the sufficient pressure is reached TURN THE ENGINE OFF.
7. Coupling mechanism and security
Check there is no damage to the coupling mechanism. It must be free from damage and debris.
Check that your vehicle is securely connected to your trailer.
Make sure trailer is correctly attached to the trailer and locking devices are in the correct positions.
8. Electric cables – connections and safety
Always check all connections and electrical switches. All have to be free from damage.
Make sure:
- all electrical trailer couplings are connected, safe and secure
- there in so damage to insulation
9. Battery
Make sure your battery is in its place, secure, not leaking and free of any damage.
10. Reflectors
Check that the reflectors (including side reflectors) are free from damage.
Check for broken, missing, wrong color or insecure reflectors. Make sure all reflectors are clean fitted correctly.
11. Number plate
Always check that the number plate is clean and free from any damage.
Number plate must be fitted correctly and can not be covered by anything.
It must be complete with all numbers or letters.
Number plate must not be faded.
12. Markings and warning plates
Make sure all the markings are:
- clean and free from damage
- the right color
- securely fastened
If you are carrying dangerous goods, check that the hazard information panels same checks mentioned above applies.
For more information about hazard information panes check here.
13. Exhaust
Before and during driving the vehicle check that the exhaust does not emit an excessive amount of smoke.
14. Security of your load
Always:
- make sure the load is secured, does not move and is not likely to move
- use the right type of securing system for the load only
If you’re not happy with how the load is loaded or secured, ask the person in charge to:
- get a competent person to assess it
- reload or re-secure the load
You can find more detailed guidance about securing the load here.
Checking inside the HGV
1. Front view
Make sure there are no objects in the way of your front view.
Official stickers and road safety items may be allowed, but must not block your view of the road.
2. Mirrors and windscreen
Checking mirrors and windscreen should be performed from outside and inside of the vehicle.
Check that the windscreen is not cracked or scratched.
Check that the windscreen and front side windows are not damaged. They should not be excessively tinted.
All mirrors must be in place.
If the vehicle has a camera system installed instead of a mirror, check that it works and the view is correct.
3. Wipers and washers
Check the windscreen wipers are at their place, free from damage and fully working.
Make sure you have enough windscreen washer for the journey and the system and mechanism is working correctly.
4. Dashboard, warning lights and tachograph in your HGV
Check for any damage to a dashboard, warning lights including ABS, EBS, emission system, engine warning lights. Check also for any gauges.
Make sure your tachograph is fully working and you have spare tachograph rolls.
5. Horn
Before your journey make sure the horn works as it should.
6. Steering
Adjust your steering wheel before your journey.
Make sure the steering wheel:
- is free from damage and clean
- moves properly and that the power-assisted steering works correctly
Check that there is not any excessive lift or movement in the steering column.
7. Brakes
Make sure:
- the air builds up
- there are no air leaks
- the parking and pedal breaks work and are fee from damage
- the engine brake works
8. Seat belts
Make sure that seat belts:
- do not have any damage or cuts
- stay secure when plugged in
Check for retraction. Any noticeable slowness, hesitation or delay to the retraction rate or jerking movements could indicate an issue. You should also test the seat belt by pulling on the belt suddenly and quickly – the system will lock the belt if the belt is operating correctly.
9. HGV In cab height indicator
Check what your HGV vehicle height is. Make sure the correct height of the vehicle is displayed on the cab height indicator.
Remember, the height can change. That can easily happen when the fifth wheel is adjusted. Also if the trailer is loaded, unloaded or reloaded.
Always know your vehicle height before your journey.
Recording and reporting defects
When you identify a defect report the severity of it to your transport manager.
If the vehicle is unsafe to drive it is a crime to drive that vehicle. You can put a huge risk to yourself and to other road users. You leave yourself and the operator open to fines, penalty points or even prosecution.
You can ask for a defect report form at the Office.
Record:
- the vehicle registration number (number plate)
- the date of the check
- your name
- details of defects you found
If you are stopped for a roadside check by DVSA or Police, the information you recorded is your legal record of compliance.
Daily walk around checks of your HGV helps to ensure the safety of all road users.