Free daily vehicle inspection form
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Free daily vehicle inspection form (PDF-ready). DVIR-style checklist for cars, vans, utes and trucks. Covers engine, brakes, tyres, lights, fluids and safety.
Last updated: 2026-04-22
Commercial Director
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See the first part of the daily vehicle inspection form below. Download the full version above.
What is a daily vehicle inspection form?
A daily vehicle inspection form is a structured checklist completed by a driver before operating a vehicle each day or at the start of each shift. Often referred to as a DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report), it systematically covers the engine compartment, braking system, tyres and wheels, lights and electrical, cabin and controls, body and exterior, fluids and safety equipment. The form ensures the vehicle is roadworthy, identifies defects before they become safety hazards and creates a documented record of vehicle condition. MapTrack digitises daily vehicle inspections so every result is linked to the vehicle asset record with photos, GPS coordinates and automatic defect work orders.
Daily vehicle inspections are a fundamental requirement under Australian Chain of Responsibility legislation and FMCSA regulations in the United States. The NHVR Heavy Vehicle National Law requires reasonable steps to ensure a heavy vehicle is safe before each journey. For light vehicles, the WHS Act requires a PCBU to maintain plant so it remains safe for use. A completed daily inspection demonstrates that the driver and the organisation met their legal obligations and exercised a reasonable standard of care.
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Benefits of using this daily vehicle inspection form
- Legal compliance: a signed daily inspection satisfies NHVR Chain of Responsibility obligations and FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11 DVIR requirements for commercial vehicles
- Early fault detection: catching fluid leaks, tyre damage, brake issues or warning lights before departure prevents breakdowns and roadside incidents
- Driver safety: confirming that brakes, steering, lights and seatbelts function correctly protects the driver and other road users every trip
- Fleet reliability: consistent daily inspections reduce unplanned downtime by identifying wear items before they cause cascading failures
- Insurance support: documented daily checks strengthen the organisation position in the event of an insurance claim or accident investigation
- Maintenance planning: defect data from daily inspections feeds into preventive maintenance schedules so workshops can plan parts and labour ahead of time
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise vehicle checklists in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
- Monitor odometer and service-interval triggers across your entire fleet.
- Capture fuel receipts and trip logs alongside vehicle inspection data.
- Compare vehicle downtime and repair costs to inform replacement decisions.
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What to include in a daily vehicle inspection form
This daily vehicle inspection form covers 8 key areas:
- Engine compartment: check oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid, washer fluid, drive belt condition, battery terminals and any visible leaks under the vehicle
- Braking system: test service brake pedal feel and travel, check park brake hold, inspect brake fluid reservoir level and look for fluid leaks at wheels or callipers
- Tyres and wheels: inspect tread depth across the full width of each tyre, check for cuts or bulges, confirm pressures match the placard and verify wheel nuts are tight
- Lights and electrical: test headlights (low and high beam), tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse lights and number plate light
- Cabin and controls: confirm horn, windscreen wipers, washers, mirrors, seatbelts, dashboard warning lights and instrument cluster all operate correctly
- Body and exterior: check for new body damage, secure latches on doors, bonnet and tailgate, clean windscreen and mirrors, verify number plates are legible
- Fluids and consumables: top up washer fluid if low, note any fluid consumption trends (oil, coolant) and record the odometer reading for service interval tracking
- Safety equipment: confirm the first aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle or reflective vest, wheel brace and jack are present and serviceable
How to use this daily vehicle inspection form
- External walk-around: start at the driver door and walk clockwise around the vehicle, checking tyres, wheels, body condition, lights, mirrors, number plates and any fluid drips underneath
- Engine compartment check: open the bonnet and visually inspect oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid, washer fluid, battery terminals, drive belts and hose condition
- Cabin check: enter the cabin and confirm seatbelts latch correctly, mirrors are adjusted, dashboard warning lights extinguish after start-up, horn sounds and wiper and washer function
- Brake and steering test: with the engine running, press the brake pedal to confirm firm feel and adequate travel, engage and release the park brake on a slight incline, and turn the steering wheel to check for free play or unusual noise
- Lights test: cycle through headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators and hazard lights while a colleague or reflection confirms each is functioning
- Record and sign off: complete the inspection form in MapTrack or on the printed checklist, note the odometer reading, record any defects with photos, sign and date before driving
In MapTrack, you can track your fleet with gps and digital pre-starts. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
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Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
A daily vehicle inspection must be completed before the first use of the vehicle each day or at the start of each driving shift. Under FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11, commercial motor vehicle drivers in the United States must prepare a written DVIR at the end of each day of driving, and the next driver must review it before departure. In Australia, the NHVR Chain of Responsibility framework requires drivers and operators to take reasonable steps to ensure a heavy vehicle is safe before each journey.
For light commercial vehicles such as utes, vans and cars used for work purposes, the WHS Act requires the PCBU to ensure plant is maintained and safe. A daily pre-trip inspection is the most practical way to meet this obligation. If the same driver operates the same vehicle on consecutive days without change, a brief walk-around confirming no new defects is sufficient provided a full inspection was completed within the preceding 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a daily vehicle inspection form?
- A daily vehicle inspection form, often called a DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report), is a checklist completed by the driver before operating a vehicle each day. It covers the engine, brakes, tyres, lights, cabin controls, body condition, fluids and safety equipment. The completed form creates a documented record that the vehicle was checked and found safe, or that specific defects were identified and reported.
- Is a daily vehicle inspection legally required?
- For heavy vehicles in Australia, the Heavy Vehicle National Law and NHVR Chain of Responsibility provisions require reasonable steps to ensure the vehicle is safe before each journey. In the United States, FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11 mandates a written DVIR for commercial motor vehicles. For light vehicles used for work, the WHS Act requires the PCBU to maintain plant in a safe condition, and a daily inspection is the standard practice to demonstrate compliance.
- How long does a daily vehicle inspection take?
- A thorough daily vehicle inspection typically takes 5 to 10 minutes for a light vehicle (car, van, ute) and 10 to 20 minutes for a heavy vehicle or truck. Digital inspections using MapTrack are faster than paper because fields auto-populate from the asset record and photos can be captured inline.
- Is the template free to use without MapTrack?
- Yes. Download and use the daily vehicle inspection form for free. Open the file and use your browser Print to Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required.
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