Free HGV walk-around check
Free HGV walk-around check template for UK fleet operators. Covers all DVSA daily inspection items for heavy goods vehicles. Download free.
Updated 10 Aug 2026
HGV Walk-Around Check
DVSA daily defect check for heavy goods vehicles.
Tyres & Wheels
Lights, Indicators & Reflectors
Mirrors, Glass & Wipers
Bodywork & Load Security
Brakes & Steering
Coupling Equipment (Articulated / Drawbar)
Engine, Fluids & Exhaust
Cab & Safety Equipment
Driver Sign-off
Signature
Print name
Date & time
Transport Manager Acknowledgement
Signature
Print name
Date
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Short answer
An HGV walk-around check records a driver's daily inspection of a heavy goods vehicle before it goes on the road: tyres, wheels, lights, brakes, mirrors, coupling and load security, with any defects reported. Drivers in Great Britain complete it before first use each day. Section 3 of the DVSA Guide to maintaining roadworthiness says the check must be done before use, at least once in every 24 hours in service.
Checked against DVSA Guide to maintaining roadworthiness (Version updated 28 April 2025 (GOV.UK)) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack HGV walk-around check contains 43 checks across 8 sections. Sections covered: Tyres & Wheels, Lights, Indicators & Reflectors, Mirrors, Glass & Wipers, Bodywork & Load Security, Brakes & Steering, Coupling Equipment (Articulated / Drawbar), Engine, Fluids & Exhaust, Cab & Safety Equipment.
- A driver, or a responsible person the operator nominates, checks the vehicle before it is used on the road, and DVSA expects at least one walkaround check in every 24 hours it is in service.
- Work round the vehicle from the same starting point every time, covering tyres and wheel fixings, lights, mirrors and glass, brakes, coupling, load security and leaks.
- Every defect is written down and given to someone with authority to act on it, and a vehicle with a defect that makes it unroadworthy is not driven.
- DVSA says any report listing defects must be kept for at least 15 months with the details of the repair, and recommends keeping nil defect reports for at least 3 months.
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Used by construction, mining and field service teams
What is an 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. Expected by the DVSA, which calls for at least one walkaround check every day a vehicle is used, and backed by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Regulation 100) and 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 thorough walk-around check procedures in place when conducting compliance audits.
For O-licence holders, a documented walk-around check programme is not optional. Section 13C of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 requires operators to have satisfactory facilities and arrangements for maintaining vehicles in a fit and serviceable condition, and section 26 lets the traffic commissioner revoke, suspend or curtail a licence. If a DVSA roadside inspection reveals defects that should have been caught by a competent walk-around check, the driver can be fined between GBP 50 and GBP 300, with court action for more serious offences, and the operator risks 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.
- 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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What to include in an 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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Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full HGV walk-around check as a PDF.Back to download formHow 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.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guide to maintaining roadworthiness: commercial goods and passenger carrying vehiclesSets out the daily walkaround check this form records, and the safety inspections it feeds. | Version updated 28 April 2025 (GOV.UK) | Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) | |
| Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995Operator licences need satisfactory arrangements to keep vehicles fit and serviceable; s 26 sets grounds for licence action. | Current revised version as at 2026-10-26 (legislation.gov.uk) | legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) | |
| The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986Sets the tyre condition and tread rules, and the duty to keep the vehicle, parts and load from being a danger. | SI 1986/1078, latest available revised version as at 2026-10-26 (legislation.gov.uk) | UK Government (legislation.gov.uk) |
Guide to maintaining roadworthiness: commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicles
Edition: Version updated 28 April 2025 (GOV.UK)
Sets out the daily walkaround check this form records, and the safety inspections it feeds.
Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995
Edition: Current revised version as at 2026-10-26 (legislation.gov.uk)
Operator licences need satisfactory arrangements to keep vehicles fit and serviceable; s 26 sets grounds for licence action.
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986
Edition: SI 1986/1078, latest available revised version as at 2026-10-26 (legislation.gov.uk)
Sets the tyre condition and tread rules, and the duty to keep the vehicle, parts and load from being a danger.
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
HGV Walk-Around Check preview
The numbers behind this HGV walk-around check
The pages below gather the figures behind this kind of check. Each figure on them carries its source and date, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without chasing the original report.
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<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:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">HGV Walk-Around Check</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Vehicle and driver details: date, time, driver name, vehicle registration, fleet number, trailer number (if coupled), odometer reading.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">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.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">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.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">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.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">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.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">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.</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/hgv-walk-around-check" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">HGV Walk-Around Check</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.
Cite this template
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 HGV walk-around check contains 43 checks across 8 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack HGV Walk-Around Check, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/hgv-walk-around-check
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). HGV Walk-Around Check [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/hgv-walk-around-check
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/hgv-walk-around-check.
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