Free daily vehicle inspection form
Free daily vehicle inspection form (PDF). DVIR-style checklist for cars, vans, utes and trucks. Covers engine, brakes, tyres, lights, fluids and safety.
Updated 3 May 2026
Daily Vehicle Inspection Form
Driver pre-trip and end-of-day inspection record for cars, vans, utes and trucks.
Exterior
Engine Compartment
Brakes
Tyres & Wheels
Lights & Electrical
Interior & Safety Equipment
Driver / Operator Sign-off
Signature
Print name
Date & time
Supervisor / Reviewer Acknowledgement
Signature
Print name
Date
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Short answer
A daily vehicle inspection form records the driver's check of a vehicle before use: engine bay, brakes, tyres and wheels, lights, cabin controls, body, fluids and safety equipment, with any defect and a signature. Drivers complete it each day or shift as common practice. In the US, 49 CFR 396.11 requires covered drivers to report safety or breakdown defects in writing at the end of each day's work.
Checked against 49 CFR 396 (Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack daily vehicle inspection form contains 34 checks across 6 sections. Sections covered: Exterior, Engine Compartment, Brakes, Tyres & Wheels, Lights & Electrical, Interior & Safety Equipment.
- For covered carriers, 396.11 needs a driver report only when a defect is found; the carrier notes each repair, or that none is needed, and keeps both three months.
- Under 396.13 the next driver must be satisfied the vehicle is safe and review the last report if one was required.
- In Australia, HVNL section 89 bars using an unsafe heavy vehicle (over 4.5 t GVM or ATM) in participating jurisdictions, not WA or the NT.
- HVNL section 26C requires each chain of responsibility party to ensure the safety of its transport activities so far as reasonably practicable.
- For cars, utes and vans used for work, the duty comes from WHS law (model WHS Act s 19), not the HVNL.
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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 practical way to meet Australian Chain of Responsibility duties and FMCSA driver duties in the United States, although neither prescribes a daily inspection form. The Heavy Vehicle National Law prohibits using, or permitting the use of, an unsafe heavy vehicle on a road (section 89), and its primary duty requires each party in the chain of responsibility to ensure the safety of its transport activities so far as is reasonably practicable (section 26C). For light vehicles, the WHS Act requires a PCBU to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that plant is maintained 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. Under the HVNL, drivers of fatigue-regulated heavy vehicles doing 100+ km work under standard hours, or working under basic or advanced fatigue management, alternative compliance or exemption hours, must also keep a work diary that complements the daily inspection by recording work and rest times and vehicle details.
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Benefits of using this daily vehicle inspection form
- Legal compliance: a signed daily inspection supports NHVR Chain of Responsibility duties 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.
- Email the right people when a form is submitted, with an automation you set up.
- File every completed form against the asset, location or person it covers.
- Download any completed form as a PDF, with failed answers listed at the top.
- Fill in forms offline; they upload when the device is back online.
- 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.
- Set who can view, fill in or edit forms with user roles.
- Upload a paper form (PDF, Word, Excel or a photo) and MapTrack's AI builds a digital version for you to check.
- Schedule services by odometer, engine hours or date for every vehicle.
- Keep fuel receipts and service records with each vehicle's inspections.
- Record repair costs on each work order against the vehicle.
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Intuitive for field crews
“MapTrack's a great platform - intuitive for the guys out in the field and also has fantastic support.”
Matthew Anderson
Maintenance Planning Supervisor, Supagas
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.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full daily vehicle inspection form as a PDF.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 when a defect or deficiency is found or reported, and the next driver must review it before departure. In Australia, the Heavy Vehicle National Law requires each party in the chain of responsibility to ensure the safety of its transport activities so far as is reasonably practicable, and no person may use, or permit the use of, an unsafe heavy vehicle on a road.
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.
| Standard | Edition | Clauses this template relies on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 CFR Part 396, Inspection, Repair, and MaintenanceThe driver vehicle inspection report, repair certification and three-month retention, and the next driver's review. | Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26) |
| US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (text via eCFR) |
| 49 CFR Part 392, Driving of Commercial Motor VehiclesBefore driving, the driver must be satisfied that brakes, steering, lights, tyres and the other listed parts work. | Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26) |
| US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (text via eCFR) |
| Heavy Vehicle National Law (Queensland)Heavy vehicles over 4.5 t GVM or ATM: no use of an unsafe vehicle, plus the primary duty. | Current as at 1 August 2026, incorporating the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Act 2025 (Queensland) |
| Queensland Government (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel), administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator |
| National Heavy Vehicle Inspection ManualNHVR checklist of in-service inspection items for heavy motor vehicles. | Version 3.2 (August 2026) |
| National Heavy Vehicle Regulator |
| Model Work Health and Safety Act (Model Work Health and Safety Bill)Light vehicles used for work: the primary duty to provide safe plant, so far as is reasonably practicable. | Model WHS Bill as at 5 December 2025 (includes the Model WHS Legislation Amendment (Incident Notification) 2025) |
| Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee) |
49 CFR Part 396, Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance
Edition: Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)
The driver vehicle inspection report, repair certification and three-month retention, and the next driver's review.
- 396.11: After each day, drivers report in writing defects affecting safety or risking breakdown; carriers repair safety defects, certify repair or that none is needed, keep 3 months. One-vehicle carriers excepted.
- 396.13: Before driving, the driver must be satisfied the vehicle is safe, review the last report if one was required, and sign it acknowledging the repair certification.
US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (text via eCFR)
49 CFR Part 392, Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles
Edition: Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)
Before driving, the driver must be satisfied that brakes, steering, lights, tyres and the other listed parts work.
- 392.7: A driver must not drive unless satisfied that brakes, steering, lights, tyres, horn, wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and emergency equipment work.
US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (text via eCFR)
Heavy Vehicle National Law (Queensland)
Edition: Current as at 1 August 2026, incorporating the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Act 2025 (Queensland)
Heavy vehicles over 4.5 t GVM or ATM: no use of an unsafe vehicle, plus the primary duty.
- s 6: Defines a heavy vehicle as a vehicle with a GVM or ATM over 4.5 tonnes, or a combination including one.
- s 89: Safety requirement: a person must not use, or permit to be used, on a road a heavy vehicle that is unsafe.
- s 26C: Primary duty: each party in the chain must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of its transport activities.
National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual
Edition: Version 3.2 (August 2026)
NHVR checklist of in-service inspection items for heavy motor vehicles.
- Heavy Vehicle Inspection Checklist: NHVR checklist summarising the inspection items for heavy motor vehicles.
Model Work Health and Safety Act (Model Work Health and Safety Bill)
Edition: Model WHS Bill as at 5 December 2025 (includes the Model WHS Legislation Amendment (Incident Notification) 2025)
Light vehicles used for work: the primary duty to provide safe plant, so far as is reasonably practicable.
- s 19: Primary duty of care: a PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others, including safe plant, systems, training and supervision.
Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
Check the current source
Daily Vehicle Inspection Form preview
The numbers behind this daily vehicle inspection form
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<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Daily Vehicle Inspection Form</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Engine compartment: check oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid, washer fluid, drive belt condition, battery terminals and any visible leaks under the vehicle</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">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</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">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</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Lights and electrical: test headlights (low and high beam), tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse lights and number plate light</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Cabin and controls: confirm horn, windscreen wipers, washers, mirrors, seatbelts, dashboard warning lights and instrument cluster all operate correctly</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Body and exterior: check for new body damage, secure latches on doors, bonnet and tailgate, clean windscreen and mirrors, verify number plates are legible</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/daily-vehicle-inspection-form" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Daily Vehicle Inspection Form</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.
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Writing about this topic? You’re welcome to quote this checklist. Here’s the wording to use so your readers can find the original.
The MapTrack daily vehicle inspection form contains 34 checks across 6 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Daily Vehicle Inspection Form, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/daily-vehicle-inspection-form
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Daily Vehicle Inspection Form [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/daily-vehicle-inspection-form
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/daily-vehicle-inspection-form.
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