Free truck pre-start checklist
Free truck pre-start checklist (PDF-ready). Covers cab, engine, brakes, tyres, load restraint, safety and compliance. Download free.
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Updated 26 Oct 2026
Truck Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-trip inspection | Rigid, articulated and B-double trucks
A - Cab Exterior
B - Engine and Mechanical
C - Tyres and Wheels
D - Brakes and Steering
E - Interior and Controls
F - Safety and Compliance
G - Trailer Checks (if applicable)
Driver Sign-off
Driver signature
Print name
Date & time
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Short answer
A truck pre-start checklist records the driver's check before the first trip of the day or shift: lights, mirrors, tyres and wheel nuts, fluids, air pressure, brakes, steering, cab controls, safety gear, load restraint and trailer couplings. For trucks over 4.5 t GVM, section 89 of the Heavy Vehicle National Law bans using an unsafe heavy vehicle on a road, in participating states and territories (not WA or the NT).
Checked against Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) (Current as at 1 August 2026, incorporating the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Act 2025 (Queensland)) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack truck pre-start checklist contains 58 checks across 7 sections. Sections covered: A - Cab Exterior, B - Engine and Mechanical, C - Tyres and Wheels, D - Brakes and Steering, E - Interior and Controls, F - Safety and Compliance, G - Trailer Checks (if applicable).
- HVNL s 89 bans using an unsafe heavy vehicle on a road, except moves under a defect notice. Vehicles over 4.5 t GVM or ATM; not WA or NT.
- Chain of responsibility duties sit in HVNL Chapter 1A: under s 26C each party must ensure transport safety so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Vehicle standards and the unsafe vehicle offence are in HVNL Chapter 3; Chapter 4 covers mass, dimension and loading.
- Vehicle Standards Regulation Schedule 2 s 28: at least 1.5 mm tread in principal grooves, excluding wear indicators, across 75% of road-contact width and the whole circumference.
- NHVAS maintenance accreditation closed to new applicants on 1 August 2026; the voluntary Heavy Vehicle Accreditation scheme replaces it.
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What is a truck pre-start checklist?
A truck pre-start checklist (also called a truck pre-trip inspection form or daily truck inspection) is a structured list of tasks completed by the driver before a truck is driven. It confirms the truck is roadworthy, mechanically sound, and compliant before entering the road. Truck pre-starts are particularly important under Australia's Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations, which place legal responsibility on drivers, operators and fleet managers to ensure vehicles are safe before use. Documented pre-trip inspections are the practical evidence that a heavy vehicle was checked before use under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, which prohibits using an unsafe heavy vehicle on a road (section 89).
Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.
Running a truck fleet? Truck tracking software keeps the pre starts, km-based servicing and rego on the same record as the GPS tracker or AI dashcam.
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Benefits of using this truck pre-start checklist
- Driver safety: identify brake, tyre or steering defects before entering public roads.
- Regulatory compliance: meet NHVR, HVNL and Chain of Responsibility obligations.
- Load security: confirm load restraint equipment is present, in good condition and correctly applied.
- Prevent breakdowns: catch minor issues before they cause roadside failures or delays.
- Recordkeeping and audit trail: maintain inspection records for CoR investigations, insurance and maintenance planning.
- Consistent standards: all drivers follow the same procedure regardless of experience or shift.
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.
- 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.
- Make the pre-start form required when a machine is checked out to an operator.
- Record who did each pre-start and when, and where if you turn location capture on.
- Link each pre-start to the asset record for a complete inspection history.
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What to include in a truck pre-start checklist
This truck pre-start checklist covers 8 key areas:
- Truck and driver details: fleet number, registration, make/model, odometer, driver name, licence class and number, date, time, route.
- Cab exterior: windscreen, mirrors, lights (headlights, indicators, brake, tail, clearance), cab body, steps, number plates, reflectors.
- Engine and mechanical: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid/air pressure, belts, hoses, battery, fuel, leaks, exhaust.
- Tyres and wheels: tread depth, cuts/bulges, pressure, wheel nuts, spare tyre, mudflaps.
- Brakes and steering: service brake feel, parking brake, ABS indicator, exhaust/engine brake (if fitted), steering free play.
- Interior and controls: seatbelt, horn, gauges and warning lights, reversing alarm/camera, two-way radio.
- Safety and compliance: fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle, load restraint equipment, speed limiter, registration, roadworthy.
- Trailer checks (if applicable): coupling secure, safety chains, trailer lights, trailer brakes, trailer tyres, load securing points.
How to use this truck pre-start checklist
- Complete truck and driver details at the top of the checklist.: Record the fleet number, registration, make, model, current odometer reading, your name, licence class and number, the date, time of inspection and the planned route or job. This information is essential for Chain of Responsibility traceability and links the inspection to a specific vehicle and driver for compliance records.
- Perform the walk-around: start at the cab exterior, work around the truck systematically, check the engine bay, then inspect each axle group (tyres, wheels, brakes). Mark Pass or Fail for each item.: Begin at the front left and walk clockwise. Check the windscreen for cracks, all lights for function, mirrors for position and condition, and number plates for legibility. Open the engine bay and check oil, coolant, brake fluid or air system, belts, hoses and the air filter indicator. At each axle, check tyre tread depth, tyre pressure, sidewall condition, wheel nut tightness, brake drum or disc condition and mudflap security. Mark Pass or Fail for every item on the form.
- If any item fails, especially brakes, tyres, steering or load restraint, do not drive the truck. Record the defect and report to your supervisor or fleet manager. Tag the vehicle out of service until repaired.: Safety-critical defects including any brake fault, steering deficiency, tyre below minimum tread depth, structural crack or non-functional headlights or brake lights must prevent the truck from being driven. Write a clear description of the fault in the defect section and notify the supervisor and maintenance team. Attach an out-of-service tag to the steering wheel or ignition key. Under HVNL, driving a defective heavy vehicle can result in infringement notices or prosecution for both the driver and operator.
- Complete the interior and compliance sections, then sign and date. File a copy per your CoR records requirements.: Check the seatbelt, horn, dash gauges, warning lights, reversing alarm and camera from the cab. Verify the fire extinguisher is charged with a current service tag, the first aid kit is stocked and in date, and a warning triangle is accessible. Confirm registration is current and any required load restraint equipment is in good condition. Sign and date the completed checklist, noting the time. File the form in the vehicle maintenance diary or submit digitally through MapTrack for automatic Chain of Responsibility recordkeeping.
In MapTrack, you can run digital pre-starts attached to each asset. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full truck pre-start checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
A truck pre-start inspection must be completed before the first trip of each day, or before each shift where multiple drivers use the same vehicle. Under NHVR guidelines, heavy vehicle operators are expected to conduct and document daily vehicle inspections. If the truck has had repairs, been idle for an extended period, or is used by a different driver, always complete a fresh inspection. Your company policy may also specify additional inspection requirements for specific routes, loads or operating conditions.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Vehicle National Law (Queensland)The unsafe vehicle offence, vehicle standards, the 4.5 t threshold and chain of responsibility duties behind a daily check. | 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 |
| Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National RegulationThe in-service standards checked at a pre-start: tyre defects, tread depth and coupling connections. | Current as at 1 August 2026 (Queensland Legislation reprint) |
| Queensland Government (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel), administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator |
| National Heavy Vehicle Inspection ManualNHVR inspection criteria and reasons for rejection for brakes, and for wheels, tyres and hubs. | Version 3.2 (August 2026) |
| National Heavy Vehicle Regulator |
| National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation SchemeMaintenance management accreditation, closed to new entrants from 1 August 2026 and being replaced by the voluntary HVA scheme. | NHVAS Business Rules and Standards (June 2021); closed to new accreditations from 1 August 2026 | Whole instrument | National Heavy Vehicle Regulator |
| Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW)NSW plant duties, including maintenance and inspection by a competent person, where a truck is plant used for work. | Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), commenced 22 August 2025, text as at 21 January 2026 |
| NSW Parliamentary Counsel's Office (NSW Legislation) |
Heavy Vehicle National Law (Queensland)
Edition: Current as at 1 August 2026, incorporating the Heavy Vehicle National Law Amendment Act 2025 (Queensland)
The unsafe vehicle offence, vehicle standards, the 4.5 t threshold and chain of responsibility duties behind a daily check.
- s 89: Safety requirement: a person must not use, or permit to be used, on a road a heavy vehicle that is unsafe.
- s 6: Defines a heavy vehicle as a vehicle with a GVM or ATM over 4.5 tonnes, or a combination including one.
- s 60: A person must not use, or permit to be used, on a road a heavy vehicle that contravenes an applicable heavy vehicle standard.
- Chapter 1A: Safety duties: the Chain of Responsibility principles, the primary duty, the executive due diligence duty and offences.
- s 26C: Primary duty: each party in the chain must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of its transport activities.
Heavy Vehicle (Vehicle Standards) National Regulation
Edition: Current as at 1 August 2026 (Queensland Legislation reprint)
The in-service standards checked at a pre-start: tyre defects, tread depth and coupling connections.
- Schedule 2, s 25: A tyre fitted to a heavy vehicle must be free of any apparent defect that could make the vehicle unsafe.
- Schedule 2, s 28: Tyre tread: at least 1.5 mm in all principal grooves, excluding wear indicators, across 75% of the normal road-contact width and the whole circumference.
- Schedule 3, Part 5: Mechanical connections between vehicles in combinations: couplings, kingpins, towbars and their load ratings.
National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual
Edition: Version 3.2 (August 2026)
NHVR inspection criteria and reasons for rejection for brakes, and for wheels, tyres and hubs.
- Heavy Vehicle Inspection Checklist: NHVR checklist summarising the inspection items for heavy motor vehicles.
- Section 2: Brakes: inspection criteria and reasons for rejection.
- Section 5: Wheels, tyres and hubs: inspection criteria, including tyre tread depth.
National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme
Edition: NHVAS Business Rules and Standards (June 2021); closed to new accreditations from 1 August 2026
Maintenance management accreditation, closed to new entrants from 1 August 2026 and being replaced by the voluntary HVA scheme.
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW)
Edition: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), commenced 22 August 2025, text as at 21 January 2026
NSW plant duties, including maintenance and inspection by a competent person, where a truck is plant used for work.
- Part 5.1: General duties for plant and structures, covering designers, manufacturers, suppliers, installers and those managing plant.
- s 213: Requires competent-person maintenance, inspection and necessary testing of plant, following the manufacturer's recommendations, else a competent person's, or annual inspection if neither is reasonably practicable.
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
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The numbers behind this truck pre-start checklist
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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;">Truck pre-start 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;">Truck and driver details: fleet number, registration, make/model, odometer, driver name, licence class and number, date, time, route.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Cab exterior: windscreen, mirrors, lights (headlights, indicators, brake, tail, clearance), cab body, steps, number plates, reflectors.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Engine and mechanical: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid/air pressure, belts, hoses, battery, fuel, leaks, exhaust.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Tyres and wheels: tread depth, cuts/bulges, pressure, wheel nuts, spare tyre, mudflaps.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Brakes and steering: service brake feel, parking brake, ABS indicator, exhaust/engine brake (if fitted), steering free play.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Interior and controls: seatbelt, horn, gauges and warning lights, reversing alarm/camera, two-way radio.</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/truck-pre-start-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Truck pre-start checklist</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 truck pre-start checklist contains 58 checks across 7 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Truck pre-start checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/truck-pre-start-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Truck pre-start checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/truck-pre-start-checklist
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/truck-pre-start-checklist.
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