What should a truck pre-start inspection cover?

A truck pre-start inspection should cover tyres and wheels (condition, pressure, tread depth, wheel nuts), all lights (headlights, tail lights, indicators, brake lights, clearance/marker lights, work lights and beacon), mirrors, body and chassis condition, engine and fluids (oil, coolant, power steering, brake fluid, DEF/AdBlue, air filter), brakes (service brake, park brake, air pressure build-up, air leaks, brake lines/hoses), steering, electrical systems (battery, horn, reversing alarm/camera), cab safety (seatbelt, wipers, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle), load restraint, signage and compliance (registration, COR/NHVR, dimension and mass placards, dangerous goods if applicable), and coupling if towing.

How often should heavy vehicles be inspected?

Heavy vehicles should receive a daily pre-start inspection before the first use of each day or shift. Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) in Australia, drivers must not drive a heavy vehicle if it is not safe to operate. A daily pre-start check demonstrates due diligence. In addition, heavy vehicles require regular scheduled servicing (per manufacturer intervals) and periodic roadworthy inspections as required by state/territory transport authorities. Many organisations also conduct weekly, monthly or quarterly detailed inspections for fleet compliance.

What are the legal requirements for heavy vehicle inspections?

In Australia, the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) requires that heavy vehicles are maintained in a safe condition. The Chain of Responsibility (COR) provisions mean that all parties in the transport supply chain, including drivers, operators, schedulers, loaders and consignors, share responsibility for heavy vehicle safety. While the HVNL does not prescribe a specific checklist, regulators expect operators to demonstrate that vehicles are inspected before use and defects are recorded and actioned. A daily pre-start checklist is one of the most common ways to demonstrate compliance. Check with your state or territory transport authority for jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Is the template free to use without MapTrack?

Yes. Download and use the template for free. Open the HTML file in any browser and use Print then Save as PDF to generate a printable copy. No MapTrack account is required. If you later want digital truck pre-starts linked to each vehicle with automatic defect alerts, COR compliance dashboards and maintenance scheduling, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works for your heavy vehicle fleet.

How long does a heavy vehicle pre-start inspection take?

A thorough heavy vehicle pre-start walk-around typically takes 15 to 25 minutes for an experienced driver. Articulated combinations and B-doubles take longer than rigid trucks due to additional coupling, trailer tyre and trailer brake checks. The time investment is small relative to the risk of driving a defective heavy vehicle. In MapTrack, digital pre-starts are completed on a mobile device where drivers tap Pass or Fail for each item, capture photos of defects and submit the inspection in real time, which typically reduces completion time by 30 to 40 per cent compared to paper forms.

What happens if a driver skips a truck pre-start inspection?

Skipping a pre-start inspection on a heavy vehicle creates serious legal and safety exposure. Under the HVNL, drivers must not drive a heavy vehicle unless it is safe to operate, and the COR provisions extend liability to the operator, scheduler and other parties in the supply chain. If an incident occurs and no pre-trip record exists, the driver and operator may face infringement notices, prosecution under HVNL Section 268, and personal liability. Insurance claims are routinely denied when there is no documented inspection history. A completed pre-start checklist is the simplest and most effective way to demonstrate compliance.

Free truck / heavy vehicle pre-start checklist

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Free truck and heavy vehicle pre-start checklist (PDF-ready). Covers brakes, tyres, load restraint, signage, coupling and cab safety. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 2 May 2026

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What is a truck / heavy vehicle pre-start checklist?

A truck / heavy vehicle pre-start checklist is a daily inspection form completed by the driver before operating a truck, prime mover, rigid, semi-trailer combination or other heavy vehicle. It is a systematic walk-around and cab check covering tyres and wheels, lights, mirrors, body and chassis, engine and fluids, brakes (including air pressure build-up and leak checks), steering, electrical systems, cab safety equipment, load restraint, signage and compliance documentation, and coupling if towing. The completed checklist provides a documented record that the vehicle was inspected and any defects reported before driving, supporting Chain of Responsibility (COR) and NHVR obligations.

Daily pre-start inspections are a cornerstone of heavy vehicle safety management and a legal expectation under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), Chapter 4, which requires that heavy vehicles meet prescribed vehicle standards before being driven on public roads. The Chain of Responsibility (COR) provisions under HVNL Part 2.2 extend this obligation beyond the driver to all parties in the transport supply chain, including operators, schedulers, loaders and consignors. The NHVR National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual provides the technical benchmarks for each inspection item, including minimum tyre tread depths, brake performance criteria and air system leak rates. Failure to conduct and document daily pre-start inspections can result in roadside defect notices, infringement notices, and in serious cases, prosecution under HVNL Section 268 for breaching the primary safety duty. Insurance claims for heavy vehicle incidents are routinely denied where no pre-trip inspection record exists. For fleet operators managing multiple trucks across depots and projects, a standardised pre-start checklist is the most practical way to demonstrate COR compliance across the entire fleet.

Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.

Benefits of using this truck / heavy vehicle pre-start checklist

Driver and road safety: catch critical brake, tyre, steering and coupling issues before the vehicle enters traffic.
HVNL and COR compliance: demonstrate that heavy vehicles are inspected daily, supporting Chain of Responsibility obligations and NHVR expectations.
Reduced roadside defect notices: vehicles that are pre-checked daily are less likely to receive defect notices during roadside inspections.
Preventive maintenance: early detection of fluid leaks, air leaks, belt wear and brake adjustment issues prevents costly breakdowns on the road.
Fleet visibility: a consistent pre-start process across all heavy vehicles gives fleet managers visibility of vehicle condition and recurring defects.
Audit trail: a signed daily checklist provides documented evidence for insurance claims, incident investigations and regulatory audits.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise truck 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).
Auto-schedule pre-start forms so operators are prompted before every shift.
Flag overdue pre-starts on the dashboard so nothing leaves the yard unchecked.
Link each pre-start to the asset record for a complete inspection history.

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What to include in a truck / heavy vehicle pre-start checklist

This truck / heavy vehicle pre-start checklist covers 16 key areas:

Vehicle details: registration, make/model/type, odometer, fleet number.
Driver details: name, licence class, date.
Tyres and wheels: condition, pressure, tread depth, wheel nuts.
Lights: headlights, tail lights, indicators, brake lights, clearance/marker lights, work lights, beacon.
Mirrors: side mirrors, spot mirrors, clean, secure.
Body / chassis: no visible damage, leaks, loose components.
Engine and fluids: oil, coolant, power steering, brake fluid, DEF/AdBlue, air filter.
Brakes: service brake test, park brake test, air pressure build-up, air leaks, brake lines/hoses.
Steering and electrical: steering free play, power steering, battery, horn, reversing alarm/camera.
Cab safety: seatbelt, wipers/washers, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle.
Load restraint: tie-down points, chains/straps, headboard, load rated (if carrying).
Signage and compliance: registration current, COR/NHVR compliance, dimension and mass placards, dangerous goods if applicable.
Coupling (if towing): fifth wheel, turntable, kingpin, airlines, electrical connections, safety chains.
Overall result: Pass / Action Required / Fail.
Defects table: defect description, action taken, rectified by.
Driver and supervisor sign-off: signature, name, date and time.

How to use this truck / heavy vehicle pre-start checklist

Fill in the vehicle details (registration, make/model/type, odometer, fleet number) and driver details (name, licence class, date) at the top of the form.: Record the truck registration, make, model, vehicle type (rigid, prime mover, B-double or road train), current odometer reading and fleet number. Enter the driver name, licence class (HR, HC or MC as applicable) and the date. This links the inspection to a specific vehicle and driver for Chain of Responsibility traceability and fleet audit records.
Walk around the vehicle. Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth. Inspect wheel nuts, lights, mirrors, body and chassis. Mark Pass or Fail for each item.: Start at the front and work clockwise. Check steer tyres for minimum 1.5 mm tread depth and drive tyres for minimum 1 mm. Look for cuts, bulges, sidewall damage and signs of uneven wear. Tap wheel nuts with a hammer or use torque markers to confirm tightness. Verify all headlights, tail lights, indicators, brake lights and clearance lights illuminate. Confirm mirrors are secure, clean and positioned for adequate blind spot coverage. Inspect the body, chassis rails and cross-members for cracks, corrosion or damage.
Check engine and fluids - oil, coolant, power steering, brake fluid, DEF/AdBlue and air filter.: With the engine off, check the engine oil dipstick, coolant expansion tank, power steering reservoir and brake fluid level (for hydraulic-braked vehicles). Inspect the DEF/AdBlue level gauge or tank sight glass. Check the air filter restriction indicator and replace the element if it reads in the red zone. Look for oil, coolant or fuel leaks around hoses, gaskets, turbocharger connections and injector lines.
Test brakes - service brake, park brake, air pressure build-up and check for air leaks. Inspect brake lines and hoses.: Start the engine and allow air pressure to build. Observe the rate of pressure build-up, which should reach the governor cut-out (typically 800-850 kPa) within the time specified in the NHVR Inspection Manual. With the engine off, monitor the gauges for pressure drop, which indicates air leaks. Apply the service brake and confirm a solid pedal with adequate stopping force. Engage the park brake and verify the truck holds on a slight grade. Visually inspect air lines, brake hoses and gladhand connections for chafing, cracks or leaks.
Check steering (free play, power steering), electrical (battery, horn, reversing alarm/camera) and cab safety (seatbelt, wipers, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle).: With the engine running, turn the steering wheel and check for excessive free play (typically no more than 75 mm at the rim for heavy vehicles). Confirm power steering assist is smooth with no groaning or hesitation. Check the battery terminals are tight and free of corrosion. Sound the horn, test the reversing alarm and camera display. Fasten the seatbelt and tug sharply. Test wipers on both speeds and confirm washer fluid sprays. Verify the fire extinguisher is charged, the first aid kit is stocked and in date, and the warning triangle is accessible.
If carrying a load, check load restraint - tie-down points, chains/straps, headboard, and confirm the load is within rated limits.: Inspect each tie-down point for cracks, deformation or corrosion. Check chains and ratchet straps for wear, correct rating and secure tensioning. Confirm the headboard is securely mounted if carrying loads that could shift forward. Verify the total lashing capacity meets the requirements of the National Transport Commission Load Restraint Guide for the load weight and type. Check that the load does not exceed the vehicle rated GVM and individual axle mass limits.
Verify signage and compliance - registration, COR/NHVR documentation, dimension and mass placards, dangerous goods signage if applicable.: Confirm the registration is current and displayed. Check that all required compliance documentation is in the cab, including the maintenance diary, work diary (for fatigue-managed operations), permit documentation if oversized, and any COR-related records. Inspect dimension and mass placards for legibility. If transporting dangerous goods, verify correct placards, emergency information holders and compatibility of the load with the vehicle class.
If towing, check coupling - fifth wheel/turntable/kingpin secure and locked, airlines connected (no leaks), electrical connections, safety chains crossed and secure.: Inspect the fifth wheel jaws for correct engagement around the kingpin by pulling forward gently and visually confirming the locking mechanism is closed. Check the fifth wheel plate for cracks, grease level and mounting bolts. Connect both air lines (service and emergency) and check for leaks at the gladhands. Connect the electrical susie cable and verify trailer lights and ABS function. If safety chains are required, confirm they are correctly crossed under the coupling and rated for the trailer mass.
If any item fails, record it in the defects table with a description and action taken. Do not drive the vehicle until critical defects are rectified.: Write a clear description of each defect and the action taken or required. Safety-critical defects such as brake failure, steering faults, tyre blowouts, coupling failures or non-functional lights must be rectified before the vehicle is driven. Attach a defect label to the dashboard if the vehicle is withdrawn from service. Notify your fleet manager and maintenance team immediately. Under the HVNL, driving a defective heavy vehicle can result in penalties for the driver and operator.
Select the overall result (Pass / Action Required / Fail), sign and date the form. Save or print a copy for the fleet records.: Mark the overall inspection result based on your findings. Sign and date the form, recording the time of completion. Obtain a supervisor countersignature if required by your company or site policy. File the form in the vehicle maintenance diary, upload to your fleet records system or submit digitally through MapTrack so the inspection is linked to the vehicle asset for COR compliance and fleet audit purposes.

In MapTrack, you can run digital pre-starts attached to each asset. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

Heavy vehicles should receive a daily pre-start inspection before the first use of each day or shift. Under the HVNL, drivers must not drive a heavy vehicle unless it is safe to operate. A daily pre-start demonstrates due diligence. In addition to daily pre-starts, heavy vehicles should follow manufacturer-scheduled service intervals and receive periodic roadworthy inspections as required by state or territory transport authorities. Many fleet operators also conduct weekly, monthly or quarterly detailed inspections covering brake adjustment, wheel bearing condition, suspension and chassis integrity. If a vehicle operates in demanding conditions (long-haul, off-road, heavy payloads), increase the inspection frequency accordingly.

Frequently asked questions

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

WHS Act 2011, Section 19 - Primary duty of care
Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), Chapter 4 - Vehicle standards
HVNL Chain of Responsibility (COR), Part 2.2
NHVR National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual

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