What should a tyre and rim inspection include?

A tyre and rim inspection should include vehicle details (registration, make/model, odometer, fleet number), a tyre position diagram (FL, FR, RL, RR and spare), and for each tyre position: tread depth (mm), wear pattern (even, inner, outer, centre, cupping/scalloping), sidewall condition (cuts, bulges, cracking, exposed cords), inflation pressure (kPa), tyre brand/model/size, DOT date code (age), and overall tyre condition (serviceable, monitor, replace). For rims: rim condition (cracks, bends, corrosion, kerb damage), wheel nut torque, valve condition (stem, cap, leaks), and wheel balance. The form should also include an overall result (Pass, Action Required, Fail), a defects table, declaration and sign-off.

How often should tyres and rims be inspected?

Tyres should be visually checked before every trip or shift as part of a pre-start inspection. A detailed tyre and rim inspection, measuring tread depth, checking wear patterns, sidewall condition, inflation pressures, rim integrity and valve condition, should be performed at every scheduled service (typically every 10,000 to 15,000 km or 6 to 12 months), at every tyre rotation, and whenever a tyre fault is suspected (vibration, pulling, uneven wear, slow leak). Fleet vehicles in demanding conditions such as construction sites, gravel roads or heavy loads may require more frequent detailed inspections, for example monthly or every 5,000 km.

What is the minimum legal tread depth in Australia?

In Australia, the minimum legal tread depth is 1.5 mm across the full width of the tread that contacts the road surface. Most tyre manufacturers and fleet safety policies recommend replacing tyres at 3 mm for passenger vehicles and light commercials, and at 2 to 3 mm for heavy vehicles, to maintain adequate wet-weather braking and handling. Tyres must also be free from cuts, bulges, exposed cords and other damage that affects their structural integrity. Check your state or territory road rules for specific requirements, as they may vary.

What do different tyre wear patterns indicate?

Even wear across the tread is normal and indicates correct alignment and inflation. Inner or outer edge wear typically points to a wheel alignment issue such as excessive camber or toe. Centre wear suggests the tyre has been consistently over-inflated. Shoulder wear on both edges suggests under-inflation. Cupping or scalloping, where the tread has a wavy pattern, usually indicates worn suspension components such as shock absorbers or bushings that need replacement.

Is this tyre and rim inspection form free to download?

Yes. This tyre and rim inspection form is completely free to download and use. Open the HTML file in any browser and use Print then Save as PDF to generate a printable copy. No MapTrack account is required. Use the form for any vehicle in your fleet, from light passenger vehicles to heavy trucks and trailers. If you later want digital tyre inspections with photo capture, tread depth trend tracking across your fleet and automated alerts when tyres approach replacement thresholds, MapTrack can help.

Free tyre & rim inspection form

Jump to download form ↓

Enter your email below to download this tyre & rim inspection form as a ready-to-use PDF.

Free tyre and rim inspection form (PDF-ready). Tread depth, wear pattern, sidewall condition, inflation, rim damage and valve condition. Download free.

Jarrod Milford

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

See template in action →

Download free PDF template

Trusted by teams across Australia and New Zealand

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

Preview the template

See the first part of the tyre & rim inspection form below. Download the full version above.

Download to get full template →

What is a tyre & rim inspection form?

A tyre and rim inspection is a structured check of every tyre and rim on a vehicle. It goes beyond a basic visual check - the inspector measures tread depth at multiple points, identifies wear patterns (even, inner edge, outer edge, centre, cupping/scalloping), checks sidewall condition (cuts, bulges, cracking, exposed cords), records inflation pressure against the manufacturer's specification, and inspects each rim for cracks, bends, corrosion and kerb damage. Valve stems and caps are checked for condition and leaks. The inspection uses a tyre position diagram (FL, FR, RL, RR and spare) to record findings for each position. The completed form provides a point-in-time record of tyre and rim condition and supports fleet safety, maintenance planning and compliance.

In Australia, the minimum legal tread depth is 1.5 mm across the full width of the tread that contacts the road. However, most fleet safety policies recommend replacing tyres at 3 mm for light vehicles and 2 to 3 mm for heavy vehicles to maintain adequate wet-weather performance. Documenting tyre inspections also supports WHS obligations and Chain of Responsibility compliance for heavy vehicle operators. Section 19 of the WHS Act 2011 places a primary duty of care on the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers, which includes maintaining vehicle tyres in a safe condition. The NHVR National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual specifies tyre and rim inspection criteria for heavy vehicles, and the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) Chapter 4 imposes maintenance obligations on every party in the chain of responsibility.

Learn more about gps and fleet tracking in MapTrack.

Benefits of using this tyre & rim inspection form

Safety: tyres are the only contact point between the vehicle and the road. Regular inspection catches wear, damage and under-inflation before they cause a blowout or loss of control.
Legal compliance: vehicles must meet minimum tread depth requirements (1.5 mm in Australia). A documented inspection demonstrates compliance.
Reduced breakdowns: identifying slow leaks, valve faults, rim cracks and uneven wear early prevents roadside failures.
Cost savings: correct inflation and timely rotation extend tyre life. Catching alignment issues from wear patterns saves on premature tyre replacement.
Fleet planning: track tread depth trends across your fleet to plan bulk tyre purchases and schedule replacements before tyres reach legal minimum.
Audit readiness: a completed tyre inspection form provides documented evidence of fleet tyre management for WHS, CoR and insurance audits.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise tyre / rim 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 tyre / rim 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.

Start free trial

No credit card required
30 days free trial
Cancel anytime

What to include in a tyre & rim inspection form

This tyre & rim inspection form covers 11 key areas:

Vehicle details: registration, make/model, odometer, fleet number.
Inspector details: name, date, time.
Tyre position diagram: visual layout showing FL, FR, RL, RR and spare positions for recording findings.
Per-position inspection: tread depth (mm), wear pattern, sidewall condition, inflation pressure (kPa), tyre brand/model/size, DOT date code.
Rim inspection: cracks, bends, corrosion, kerb damage, wheel nut torque.
Valve condition: stem condition, cap present, leaks.
Wheel balance: vibration noted.
Spare tyre: condition, tread depth, inflation pressure.
Overall result: Pass, Action Required, Fail.
Defects table: defect description, action taken, rectified by/date.
Declaration and sign-off: inspector and supervisor signatures.

How to use this tyre & rim inspection form

Fill in the vehicle details (registration, make/model, odometer, fleet number) and inspector details (name, date, time) at the top of the form.: Confirm the registration and fleet number match the assigned vehicle. Record the current odometer reading to track tread wear against distance since the last inspection.
Start at the front left (FL) tyre. Use a tread depth gauge to measure tread depth at three points across the tread width. Record the lowest reading in mm.: Place the gauge in the main tread grooves at the inner edge, centre and outer edge. Record the lowest of the three readings. The legal minimum in Australia is 1.5 mm; replace at 3 mm for fleet safety.
Identify the wear pattern, even wear is normal; inner or outer edge wear suggests alignment issues; centre wear suggests over-inflation; cupping/scalloping suggests suspension problems.: Run your hand across the tread to feel for uneven surfaces. Record the pattern observed. Refer the vehicle for wheel alignment if edge wear is detected or for suspension inspection if cupping or scalloping is present.
Inspect the sidewall for cuts, bulges, cracking or exposed cords. Record the condition.: Examine the full circumference of each sidewall under good lighting. Any bulge indicates internal structural damage and the tyre must be replaced immediately. Cracking deeper than surface weathering also warrants replacement.
Check and record the inflation pressure (kPa) against the manufacturer's specification on the placard.: Use a calibrated tyre pressure gauge to measure inflation. Compare the reading against the specification on the vehicle tyre placard, typically found on the driver door jamb. Adjust pressure to within 5 kPa of the recommended setting.
Inspect the rim for cracks, bends, corrosion and kerb damage. Check wheel nuts are torqued to specification.: Visually inspect each rim flange and spoke area for cracks, dents and corrosion. Use a torque wrench to verify wheel nuts are tightened to the manufacturer specification. Look for rust streaks around studs, which indicate loosening.
Check the valve stem condition and ensure the cap is present and not leaking.: Inspect the valve stem for cracks, cuts and deterioration. Apply soapy water to detect slow leaks around the valve core and stem base. Replace damaged stems and ensure a dust cap is fitted to each valve.
Repeat steps 2 to 7 for FR, RL, RR and spare tyre positions.: Record findings on the tyre position diagram for each wheel. Do not skip the spare tyre as it must be roadworthy and inflated to the placard specification in case of emergency use.
Mark the overall result. Pass (all tyres and rims serviceable), Action Required (defects found but vehicle can operate with monitoring), or Fail (unsafe, do not operate).: Select Pass only if all tyres meet the minimum tread depth, pressures are within specification and no rim damage is found. Select Fail if any tyre has exposed cords, a bulge, or tread below 1.5 mm.
Record any defects in the defects table with a description and recommended action.: For each defect, note the tyre position, description (e.g. inner edge wear FL, 2.1 mm tread), recommended action (e.g. replace, rotate, align) and target completion date. Raise a maintenance work order for urgent items.
The inspector signs the declaration, and the supervisor acknowledges the inspection.: The inspector signs to confirm the inspection was conducted thoroughly and findings are accurate. The fleet manager or supervisor reviews the results, acknowledges with their signature and schedules any corrective actions.

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 template

Enter your email above to download the full tyre & rim inspection form as a PDF.

Back to download form

How often should you complete this checklist?

Tyres should be visually checked before every trip or shift as part of a pre-start inspection - looking for obvious damage, flat spots and under-inflation. A detailed tyre and rim inspection: measuring tread depth, checking wear patterns, sidewall condition, inflation pressures, rim integrity and valve condition - should be performed at every scheduled service (typically every 10,000–15,000 km), at every tyre rotation, and whenever a tyre fault is suspected (vibration, pulling, uneven wear, slow leak). Fleet vehicles in demanding conditions (construction sites, gravel roads, heavy loads, frequent kerb contact) may require monthly detailed inspections. In MapTrack, you can schedule tyre inspections by date or odometer and get automatic reminders when each vehicle is due.

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
NHVR National Heavy Vehicle Inspection Manual
Australian Design Rules (ADR) 23/00 - Wheel guards

Need to track your fleet with gps and digital pre-starts?

Register every tyre / rim in MapTrack, attach digital forms, and get a complete history of every inspection, service and compliance record.

Start free trial Book a demo

GPS and fleet tracking · All templates · Pricing · Book a demo