Free driver safety checklist
Jump to download form ↓Enter your email below to download this driver safety checklist as a ready-to-use PDF.
Free driver safety checklist (PDF). Covers fatigue, vehicle condition, load security, PPE and safe driving practices for Australian fleets. Download free.
Commercial Director
Updated 3 May 2026
How to use: download the PDF, print or complete digitally on any device.
- PDF format, ready to print or fill on screen
- Use as-is or customise to suit your operation
- Go digital in MapTrack for photos, alerts and audit trails
Download free PDF template
Trusted by teams across Australia and New Zealand
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Used by construction, mining and field service teams
What is a driver safety checklist?
A driver safety checklist is a structured form used by fleet operators, transport companies and logistics businesses to verify that drivers are fit to drive and that safety controls are in place before a journey begins. The checklist covers driver fitness (fatigue, alertness, fitness for duty), vehicle condition (pre-start items, fluid levels, tyre condition), load security (restraints, weight distribution, overhang), personal protective equipment (PPE), journey planning (route, weather, rest stops) and safe driving practices (speed, following distance, mobile phone policy).
In Australia, fleet operators have obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, chain of responsibility provisions in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and applicable state and territory road transport legislation. A driver safety checklist provides documented evidence that the organisation has taken reasonably practicable steps to ensure driver safety. It also supports fatigue management obligations by confirming the driver has had adequate rest before commencing a shift. When completed consistently, the checklist creates an audit trail that protects both the driver and the organisation in the event of an incident or regulatory investigation.
Learn more about gps and fleet tracking in MapTrack.
Benefits of using this driver safety checklist
- WHS compliance: demonstrate that reasonably practicable steps have been taken to manage driver safety risks under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
- Fatigue management: confirm the driver has had adequate rest, is not fatigued and is fit to drive before commencing the shift.
- Chain of responsibility: provide documented evidence that the organisation has met its HVNL obligations regarding driver fitness and vehicle safety.
- Load security: verify that cargo is properly restrained and within legal mass and dimension limits before departure.
- Incident investigation: a signed checklist provides a contemporaneous record if an incident occurs, supporting the investigation and any insurance claim.
- Driver accountability: each driver signs the checklist, confirming they have reviewed and met all safety requirements before driving.
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.
Book a demo to see how MapTrack handles vehicle checklists.
Try MapTrack free for 30 days
Full access to every feature. No credit card required. Per-asset pricing so you scale as your fleet grows.
- No credit card required
- 30 days free trial
- Cancel anytime
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 driver safety checklist
This driver safety checklist covers 9 key areas:
- Driver fitness: fatigue self-assessment, hours of rest since last shift, fitness for duty declaration, any medication that may impair driving.
- Licence and authority: valid licence class for vehicle type, licence expiry date, any conditions or restrictions.
- Vehicle pre-start: walk-around check completed, lights, brakes, tyres, windscreen, mirrors, fluid levels, warning lights.
- Load security: load restraints checked, weight within legal limits, load height and overhang within limits, no loose items in cabin.
- PPE requirements: high-visibility vest, steel-cap boots, hard hat, safety glasses as required for site entry.
- Journey plan: planned route, estimated travel time, scheduled rest stops, weather and road condition check.
- Communications: mobile phone secured (hands-free or stowed), two-way radio tested, emergency contact numbers accessible.
- Emergency equipment: first aid kit present, fire extinguisher in date, warning triangle or beacon, spill kit (if carrying dangerous goods).
- Safe driving commitment: speed limits, following distance, no distracted driving, seatbelt use, fatigue break schedule.
How to use this driver safety checklist
- Complete the driver fitness section before starting the shift.: The driver records hours of rest since the last shift, confirms they are not fatigued, declares any medication use and signs the fitness-for-duty declaration. If the driver does not meet the minimum rest requirements or feels unfit, they must report this to the supervisor before driving.
- Verify licence and authority details.: Confirm the driver holds a valid licence for the vehicle class being operated. Check the licence expiry date and note any conditions. For heavy vehicles, confirm the driver holds the correct heavy vehicle licence class (HR, HC, MC or equivalent).
- Complete the vehicle pre-start walk-around check.: Walk around the vehicle and check all external and cabin items including lights, tyres, mirrors, fluid levels and warning lights. Mark each item as pass, fail or not applicable. Record any defects and report them before departure.
- Inspect load security and PPE.: Verify all cargo is properly restrained in accordance with the NTC Load Restraint Guide. Check that the total mass does not exceed the vehicle rated capacity. Confirm the driver has the required PPE for any sites they will be entering during the journey.
- Review the journey plan and sign off.: Confirm the planned route, estimated travel time and scheduled rest stops. Check weather and road conditions. Ensure emergency equipment is present and in date. Sign the checklist and hand a copy to the supervisor or fleet manager before departure.
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 driver safety checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
A driver safety checklist should be completed before every shift or journey. For drivers completing multiple trips in a single day, a single checklist at the start of the shift is typically sufficient unless the vehicle changes or the load changes significantly. The fatigue self-assessment should be repeated if a driver returns to the vehicle after a prolonged break or if they feel their condition has changed. Completed checklists should be retained for a minimum of two years (or longer if required by your WHS management system or insurer) and made available for safety audits, incident investigations and regulatory inspections.
Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) - Primary duty of care
- Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) - Chain of responsibility
- HVNL Fatigue Management Standard (Standard Hours, BFM, AFM)
- NTC Load Restraint Guide 2018
- SafeWork Australia - Managing risks of plant in the workplace
Embed this free template on your website
Run an industry blog, trade association site, or training resource? Drop a preview of this free driver safety checklist straight into your page. The snippet is self-contained, needs no scripts, and links readers back to the full free template.
<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#0E7490;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Driver safety checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Driver fitness: fatigue self-assessment, hours of rest since last shift, fitness for duty declaration, any medication that may impair driving.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Licence and authority: valid licence class for vehicle type, licence expiry date, any conditions or restrictions.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Vehicle pre-start: walk-around check completed, lights, brakes, tyres, windscreen, mirrors, fluid levels, warning lights.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Load security: load restraints checked, weight within legal limits, load height and overhang within limits, no loose items in cabin.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">PPE requirements: high-visibility vest, steel-cap boots, hard hat, safety glasses as required for site entry.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Journey plan: planned route, estimated travel time, scheduled rest stops, weather and road condition check.</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/driver-safety-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Driver safety checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Please keep the “by MapTrack” attribution link in the snippet.
Need to track your fleet with gps and digital pre-starts?
Register every vehicle in MapTrack, attach digital forms, and get a complete history of every inspection, service and compliance record.
GPS and fleet tracking · All templates · Pricing · Book a demo