What to Include in Your Daily Walkaround Checks

Daily walkaround checks are the first line of defence in keeping your vehicles roadworthy — and your business compliant. They don’t take long, but missing one small detail could result in a roadside prohibition, penalty, or even a Public Inquiry.

Whether you’re a one-man operation or running a small fleet on a Restricted Operator

Licence, this post will walk you through:

• What a daily walkaround check is

• Why it’s a legal requirement

• What needs to be inspected (with checklist)

• How to document defects

• Who should carry out the checks

• Common mistakes to avoid

Let’s make sure your drivers and vehicles start every day safe and compliant.

What Is a Walkaround Check?

A walkaround check is a daily inspection of a commercial vehicle carried out before the first journey of the day. It’s a quick but thorough visual and functional check to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive.

Key features:

• Done by the driver

• Completed before the vehicle leaves the operating centre

• Recorded using a defect report sheet or app

• Legally required under UK road transport law

Why Are Walkaround Checks Important?

There are four key reasons:

✅ 1. Legal Compliance

Drivers and operators are legally responsible for the condition of vehicles on the road. Driving a defective vehicle is an offence.

✅ 2. Road Safety

Catching issues like bald tyres or broken lights before driving prevents accidents.

✅ 3. DVSA Expectations

Walkaround checks are a core part of DVSA’s “Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.” Failure to conduct them can result in prohibitions, penalties, and trigger Public Inquiries.

✅ 4. Defect Management

Spotting and reporting faults early keeps maintenance costs down and avoids unscheduled downtime.

When Should the Check Be Done?

• Every working day

• Before the first journey

• Ideally when the vehicle is cold and stationary

If the vehicle is used multiple times a day by different drivers, each new driver should carry out a check.

Who Is Responsible?

• The driver is responsible for completing the check and reporting defects.

• The operator is responsible for ensuring the system is in place and enforced.

If you're an owner-driver, that means it’s all on you — but you must still record the check as if you were both driver and operator (because you are).

What Needs to Be Checked?

Here’s the standard DVSA daily walkaround checklist, broken into easy sections:

🔧 External Vehicle Checks

• Lights, indicators, reflectors

• Mirrors and glass (cracks, cleanliness)

• Wipers and washers

• Horn

• Fuel cap secure

• Oil, coolant, washer fluid levels

• Exhaust system (excess smoke, leaks)

• Battery secure and no leaks

• Tyres (tread depth, pressure, damage)

• Wheel nuts secure

• Brake lines and air system

• Suspension and springs

• Bodywork, doors and trailer coupling

• Load security (straps, sheeting, tail lifts)

🚛 Cab Checks

• Seatbelts functioning

• Steering wheel free of play

• Dashboard warning lights

• Controls and switches working

• Speed limiter function

• Tachograph (if applicable)

• View of road not obstructed

• Fire extinguisher (if required)

🔄 Vehicle Movement Checks

• Service brakes

• Handbrake

• Steering response

• Air pressure build-up (if air-braked)

How to Record the Check

Every daily check must be recorded and the record:

• Kept for at least 15 months

• Made available to DVSA on request

• Signed or submitted by the driver

• Include nil defects if nothing is wrong

You can use:

• Paper defect report books

• Digital walkaround apps (e.g. Truckfile, R2C, CheckedSafe)

• Custom templates (ask us for one)

✅ Best practice: attach daily check reports to vehicle files monthly.

What If a Defect Is Found?

1. Stop the vehicle from being used if it’s dangerous

2. Report the defect to the operator or workshop

3. Record the defect on the daily sheet

4. Repair before vehicle is used again

5. Sign off the repair with date and name of person who fixed it

Never drive a vehicle with an unresolved safety-critical defect (e.g. bald tyre, faulty brakes, broken lights).

DVSA: What They Check at the Roadside

When DVSA stops a vehicle, they often ask:

• “Did you do a walkaround check today?”

• “Can I see the defect report?”

• “Who repaired this issue and when?”

If you can’t provide evidence, you could face:

• Prohibition (PG9)

• Fixed penalty

• Further investigation of your licence

• Escalation to a Public Inquiry

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why It’s a Problem
❌ Skipping checks “just for short trips”	All journeys count — no exceptions
❌ Rushing the check in 2 minutes	You’ll miss defects, and DVSA won’t be impressed
❌ Not recording checks	No evidence = no check in DVSA’s eyes
❌ Ignoring minor faults	Small issues can become major ones quickly
❌ Only relying on PMIs	Daily checks and PMIs are separate, both required

Tips to Make Daily Checks Easier

• ✅ Use a laminated checklist in the cab

• ✅ Provide torch and gloves for early/late checks

• ✅ Set a reminder or routine time for the check

• ✅ Use an app if managing multiple drivers

• ✅ Train drivers with mock checks regularly

How Long Should It Take?

Most walkaround checks take 10–15 minutes. It’s a small time investment to avoid a huge compliance failure.

Sample Walkaround Check Report (Paper Format)

Date	Vehicle	Driver	Time	Defects Found?	Signature
04/07/2025	AB12 XYZ	J. Smith	07:00	No	✅

For defects: list each one with description, action taken, date repaired, and sign-off.

Let me know if you'd like a downloadable template.

Conclusion

Walkaround checks aren’t just box-ticking — they’re a vital safety check, legal requirement, and one of the simplest ways to protect your business from enforcement action.

As a Restricted Licence holder, you’re still fully accountable for keeping your vehicles safe and compliant. That starts with a proper check, every single day.

Next in the series:👉 How to Choose a Reliable Maintenance Provider for Your Vehicles