What is the legal basis for HGV walk-around checks in the UK?

The requirement stems from the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, specifically Regulation 100, which prohibits driving a vehicle on the road in a dangerous condition. The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995, Sections 22 and 26, places a further duty on O-licence holders to maintain vehicles in a fit and serviceable condition. The DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness sets out the practical expectations, including daily walk-around checks, and traffic examiners use this guide when assessing operator compliance.

What penalties can a fleet operator face for missing walk-around checks?

Penalties range from fixed penalty notices of up to GBP 300 per defect found at roadside, through DVSA immediate prohibition notices that take the vehicle off the road until defects are rectified, to formal action by the Traffic Commissioner. The Traffic Commissioner can curtail the number of vehicles on an O-licence, suspend the licence for a defined period, or revoke it entirely. In serious or repeated cases, the nominated transport manager can also be disqualified from acting in that role across any licence.

How long should HGV walk-around check records be kept?

The DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness recommends retaining walk-around check records for a minimum of 15 months. This covers the typical audit window used by DVSA traffic examiners and the Traffic Commissioner during compliance reviews or public inquiries. Some operators choose to retain records for longer periods to support insurance claims or legal proceedings. Digital records stored in a system like MapTrack are automatically timestamped and archived, making retrieval straightforward during audits.

What is the minimum tyre tread depth for an HGV in the UK?

For heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3,500 kg, the legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1 mm across the central three-quarters (75%) of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference. This is different from the 1.6 mm requirement that applies to cars and light vehicles. During the walk-around check, drivers should use a tread depth gauge to measure at multiple points across each tyre, paying particular attention to inner edges that are harder to see but wear faster on steer axles.

Can a digital app replace a paper walk-around check form?

Yes. The DVSA accepts digital walk-around check records provided they capture the same information as a paper form, are attributable to the driver who conducted the check, include a date and time stamp, and cannot be altered after submission. Digital systems like MapTrack offer advantages over paper, including automatic defect escalation to the transport manager, photo evidence of defects, GPS-stamped completion location and instant access to historical records during a DVSA audit.

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Free HGV walk-around check template for UK fleet operators. Covers all DVSA daily inspection items for heavy goods vehicles. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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What is a hgv walk-around check?

An HGV walk-around check is a structured daily inspection that a driver must complete before taking a heavy goods vehicle onto the road. Required under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Regulation 100) and reinforced by the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995, the walk-around check ensures that safety-critical components, including tyres, brakes, lights, mirrors, coupling equipment and load security, are in roadworthy condition before each journey. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publishes detailed guidance on what the check must cover, and traffic examiners routinely verify that operators have robust walk-around check procedures in place when conducting compliance audits.

For O-licence holders, a documented walk-around check programme is not optional. Sections 22 and 26 of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 place a statutory duty on operators to maintain vehicles in a fit and serviceable condition. If a DVSA roadside inspection reveals defects that should have been caught by a competent walk-around check, the operator risks fixed penalties of up to GBP 300 per defect, immediate prohibition notices and, in serious cases, revocation or curtailment of their operator licence by the Traffic Commissioner. Both the driver and the operator share legal responsibility, so a consistent, well-documented walk-around check protects everyone in the compliance chain.

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Benefits of using this hgv walk-around check

O-licence protection: demonstrate to the Traffic Commissioner that your fleet has a systematic daily inspection regime, reducing the risk of licence curtailment or revocation.
DVSA compliance: satisfy the DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness requirements and provide documented evidence during compliance audits and roadside inspections.
Early defect capture: identify tyre, brake, lighting and coupling defects before the vehicle leaves the yard, preventing costly roadside prohibitions and recovery charges.
Driver safety: a thorough walk-around reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by mechanical failure, protecting the driver, other road users and vulnerable road users.
Reduced downtime: catching minor defects early, such as low tyre tread or a cracked mirror, avoids escalation into major failures that take the vehicle off the road for days.
Audit trail: timestamped, signed walk-around records provide a clear evidence chain for DVSA audits, insurance claims and legal proceedings following an incident.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise heavy goods 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 hgv walk-around check

This hgv walk-around check covers 11 key areas:

Vehicle and driver details: date, time, driver name, vehicle registration, fleet number, trailer number (if coupled), odometer reading.
Tyres and wheels: tread depth (minimum 1 mm across the central 75% of breadth for HGVs), inflation, sidewall condition, wheel nut torque indicators, wheel fixings and hub condition.
Lights and indicators: headlights (dipped and main beam), front and rear position lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard warning lights, rear fog lights, number plate lights, marker lights and reflectors.
Mirrors and glass: all Class II, IV, V and VI mirrors present, secure and clean; windscreen free of cracks, chips or damage within the swept area; wipers and washers operating correctly.
Brakes: service brake pedal feel and travel, parking brake holds on gradient, air system pressure build-up and low-pressure warning, ABS warning light operation.
Coupling equipment (if articulated or drawing a trailer): fifth wheel or drawbar coupling condition, kingpin lock engagement, air and electrical connections, landing legs raised and secured, trailer brake function.
Load security: load restrained in accordance with the DVSA load security guide, headboard condition, curtains or ropes secure, no loose items on the deck or in the cab.
Bodywork and cab: no excessive damage, doors close and latch, tailgate or curtains secure, mudguards and splash guards present, cab steps and handholds intact.
Exhaust and emissions: exhaust system secure with no visible leaks, no excessive smoke under acceleration.
Fluid leaks and levels: check beneath the vehicle for fuel, oil, coolant or hydraulic fluid leaks; verify engine oil and coolant levels are within range.
Horn and ancillary equipment: horn audible, seat belt functional, fire extinguisher (if carried) within service date, first aid kit present.

How to use this hgv walk-around check

Record vehicle and driver details at the top of the form before beginning the physical inspection.: Enter the date, time, your name, vehicle registration, fleet number, trailer number (if applicable) and the current odometer reading. Confirm the registration matches the vehicle you have been assigned for the day.
Begin the walk-around at the nearside front corner and move clockwise around the vehicle, inspecting each zone systematically.: Starting at a fixed point and following the same route every day prevents items being missed. Check each tyre for tread depth (the legal minimum for an HGV is 1 mm across the central 75% of the breadth of the tread), sidewall damage, correct inflation and secure wheel fixings. Look for loose or missing wheel nut indicators.
Inspect all lights, indicators and reflectors by activating each circuit and walking around the vehicle to confirm operation.: Turn on headlights, dipped beam, indicators, hazard warning lights and rear fog lights in sequence. Walk around the vehicle to confirm each light illuminates. Check brake lights by pressing the pedal (use a wall reflection or ask a colleague). Inspect marker lights and reflectors on the trailer if coupled.
Check mirrors, glass, wipers and washers from the cab, then step outside to verify mirror alignment and condition.: From the driver seat, confirm all mirrors provide a clear field of view and that wipers clear the windscreen effectively across the full swept area. Step out and inspect each mirror housing for cracks, loose fixings or missing glass. Check that Class V and VI close-proximity mirrors are clean and correctly angled.
Test the braking systems, including service brake, parking brake and air system pressure build-up.: With the engine running, allow the air system to build to full pressure and confirm the low-pressure warning extinguishes. Apply the service brake and check pedal feel and travel. Engage the parking brake on a slight gradient to confirm it holds. Verify the ABS warning light illuminates at ignition and then extinguishes, confirming the system is active.
Inspect coupling equipment if the vehicle is articulated or drawing a trailer.: Confirm the fifth wheel or drawbar coupling is locked and secure, with no visible wear or cracking. Check that air lines (red emergency and yellow service) and the electrical suzie are connected and not chafing. Verify the landing legs are fully raised and the handle is stowed. Test the trailer brakes by applying the service brake with the engine running.
Verify load security, bodywork integrity, fluid levels and the absence of leaks underneath the vehicle.: Walk along both sides to confirm the load is restrained in line with DVSA guidance, curtains or ropes are taut, and the headboard is undamaged. Check beneath the vehicle for fuel, oil or coolant leaks. Open the cab and verify engine oil and coolant levels are within the acceptable range on the dipstick or gauge.
Complete the form by recording all defects found, signing the declaration and reporting any defects to the transport manager immediately.: Note each defect clearly, describing its location and severity. If a defect is serious enough to make the vehicle unroadworthy, do not drive the vehicle, record it as a prohibition-level defect and notify the transport manager for repair. Sign and date the form. The operator must retain completed walk-around check records for a minimum of 15 months.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

An HGV walk-around check must be completed before the first use of the vehicle each day, or at the start of each shift if the vehicle is used by multiple drivers. The DVSA expects the check to be carried out every time the vehicle is about to be driven onto the public road after a period of being stationary. If a driver takes a prolonged break during the day and leaves the vehicle unattended in an unsecured area, a further walk-around is recommended before resuming the journey. Completed walk-around check records must be retained by the operator for a minimum of 15 months, as the DVSA and Traffic Commissioners may request them during compliance audits or public inquiries.

Frequently asked questions

What is the legal basis for HGV walk-around checks in the UK?: The requirement stems from the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, specifically Regulation 100, which prohibits driving a vehicle on the road in a dangerous condition. The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995, Sections 22 and 26, places a further duty on O-licence holders to maintain vehicles in a fit and serviceable condition. The DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness sets out the practical expectations, including daily walk-around checks, and traffic examiners use this guide when assessing operator compliance.
What penalties can a fleet operator face for missing walk-around checks?: Penalties range from fixed penalty notices of up to GBP 300 per defect found at roadside, through DVSA immediate prohibition notices that take the vehicle off the road until defects are rectified, to formal action by the Traffic Commissioner. The Traffic Commissioner can curtail the number of vehicles on an O-licence, suspend the licence for a defined period, or revoke it entirely. In serious or repeated cases, the nominated transport manager can also be disqualified from acting in that role across any licence.
How long should HGV walk-around check records be kept?: The DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness recommends retaining walk-around check records for a minimum of 15 months. This covers the typical audit window used by DVSA traffic examiners and the Traffic Commissioner during compliance reviews or public inquiries. Some operators choose to retain records for longer periods to support insurance claims or legal proceedings. Digital records stored in a system like MapTrack are automatically timestamped and archived, making retrieval straightforward during audits.
What is the minimum tyre tread depth for an HGV in the UK?: For heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3,500 kg, the legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1 mm across the central three-quarters (75%) of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference. This is different from the 1.6 mm requirement that applies to cars and light vehicles. During the walk-around check, drivers should use a tread depth gauge to measure at multiple points across each tyre, paying particular attention to inner edges that are harder to see but wear faster on steer axles.
Can a digital app replace a paper walk-around check form?: Yes. The DVSA accepts digital walk-around check records provided they capture the same information as a paper form, are attributable to the driver who conducted the check, include a date and time stamp, and cannot be altered after submission. Digital systems like MapTrack offer advantages over paper, including automatic defect escalation to the transport manager, photo evidence of defects, GPS-stamped completion location and instant access to historical records during a DVSA audit.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, Regulation 100
Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995, Sections 22 and 26
DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness (2024 edition)
Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, Regulation 27 (tyre tread depth)

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