Driver practice
Daily HGV walkaround checks: making the routine count
A consistent pre-journey check helps drivers find defects early, record them clearly and keep unsafe vehicles off the road.
A walkaround check is a safety inspection, not a signature at the start of a shift. It should give the driver enough time and visibility to decide whether the vehicle and trailer are fit for the planned journey.
Use a consistent sequence
Begin inside the cab, then move around the vehicle in the same direction each day. A repeatable sequence reduces the chance of missing lights, tyres, wheel fixings, body security, coupling equipment, markings or load-related issues.
Alternative-fuel systems, high-voltage emergency cut-offs and the condition of cab doors and steps should be included where fitted.
Record defects clearly
The record should identify the vehicle, date, defect or symptom, the driver's assessment, who reported it and who received the report. Nil-defect records matter because they show the check was completed even when nothing was found.
Keep checking during the journey
Drivers should respond to warning lights, handling changes and newly visible damage during the working day. A dangerous defect must be repaired before the journey continues.
Reporting quality matters as much as speed. A clear description of the symptom, its location and when it appeared helps the person assessing the vehicle decide whether it can move safely and gives the workshop a stronger starting point for diagnosis.
- Allow enough time and light for a genuine inspection
- Report symptoms rather than guessing at the repair
- Keep defect records available for management and DVSA checks
