Free Daily Vehicle Inspection Checklist
Daily walkaround checks are a legal requirement for commercial vehicles and good practice for any fleet. This free checklist gives your drivers a step-by-step inspection process to complete before every journey, helping you catch defects early and keep vehicles safe on the road.
Download the template below, or use Pocket Box fleet management software to manage daily checks digitally with instant defect reporting and a complete audit trail.
Driver App For Checks
Instant Defect Emails
Digital Defect Reporting
Repair Task Scheduler
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What's Included in This Daily Inspection Checklist
This walkaround check template covers all the key inspection points for cars, vans, and light commercial vehicles. Use it as a starting point and adapt it for your specific vehicle types.
Exterior Checks
Lights and indicators (front, rear, brake, hazard). Tyres (tread depth, pressure, damage, wheel nuts). Mirrors and glass (chips, cracks, cleanliness). Bodywork (damage, loose panels). Number plates (visible, clean, secure). Wipers and washers.Under the Bonnet
Engine oil level. Coolant level. Brake fluid. Washer fluid. Battery condition. Visible leaks or damage.Interior Checks
Seatbelts (condition and function). Dashboard warning lights. Horn. Brakes (feel and response). Steering (play, alignment). Handbrake. Cab cleanliness and loose items.Documentation
MOT certificate valid. Insurance certificate present. Tax disc (if applicable). Vehicle registration document or copy.Why Daily Vehicle Inspections Matter
Daily walkaround checks serve three purposes: legal compliance, driver safety, and cost control.
Legal requirement
For HGVs and PSVs, drivers must complete a walkaround check before each journey. It’s part of your operator licence obligations. For lighter vehicles, daily checks aren’t legally mandated but are expected by insurers and auditors.
Driver safety
A defect spotted before a journey is an inconvenience. The same defect discovered at 70mph on the M1 is a serious incident. Walkaround checks catch brake issues, tyre problems, lighting faults, and fluid leaks before they put your drivers at risk.
Cost control
Small problems caught early are cheap to fix. Left unnoticed, they become expensive repairs or MOT failures. A daily check culture keeps your maintenance costs predictable and your vehicles on the road longer.
How to Use This Inspection Checklist
Print copies and keep a pad in each vehicle. Drivers complete a fresh sheet before every shift or journey. Any defects noted should be reported immediately to the office or workshop.
For drivers
Walk around the vehicle in a consistent pattern so nothing gets missed. Check the same things in the same order every time. If something doesn’t look or feel right, report it. Never drive a vehicle with a serious defect.For fleet managers
Collect completed checklists regularly. Review them for patterns. If the same defect keeps appearing, investigate the root cause. Keep records for at least 15 months (DVSA guidance for HGV operator compliance).For audits
Daily check records demonstrate your duty of care. Keep them organised and accessible. Digital records are easier to search and present during audits.
Digitise Your Daily Checks with Pocket Box
Paper checklists work, but they have limits. They get lost, damaged, or filled in weeks late by drivers catching up on paperwork. Pocket Box replaces paper with a Driver App that makes daily checks faster, more accurate, and instantly accessible.
Checks completed on the Driver App
Drivers complete inspections on their phone before starting work. The app guides them through each check point with prompts and photo capture.Defects flagged immediately
When a driver reports a defect, the office knows straight away. Photos, location, and severity are captured automatically. No waiting until the vehicle returns to base.Complete audit trail
Every check is recorded with timestamp, driver name, and vehicle. Search and filter by vehicle, date, or defect type. Export reports for audits or insurance claims.Repair task scheduling
When defects are reported, create repair tasks and assign them to your workshop or external garage. Track progress until the defect is resolved.Daily vehicle checks are just one part of Pocket Box fleet management. The platform also handles service scheduling, driver licence monitoring, compliance tracking, and vehicle tracking.
Benefits of Partnering with Pocket Box
HGV walkaround checks are more detailed than light vehicle inspections. Drivers need to check additional items including coupling equipment, load security, and specific systems.
For a full HGV daily check template tailored to your vehicle types, contact our team for guidance.
Fifth wheel/coupling
condition, security, lubrication
Air system
pressure, audible leaks, reservoir drainage
Brakes
air lines, chambers, slack adjuster
Trailer connections
electrical, air lines, landing legs
Load security
straps, chains, load distribution
Tachograph
card inserted, unit functioning
Fifth wheel/coupling
Height and weight awareness
Ready to Digitise Your Fleet Checks?
Join 200+ UK and Ireland businesses using Pocket Box. Replace paper checklists with digital inspections that save time, catch defects faster, and keep your fleet compliant.
