Completing your Daily Vehicle Inspection Checklist is very important as it’s required by both UK & Irish law, but what exactly should you be checking?
Vehicle Checks – or Walkaround Checks – are an easy and simple method to ensure that your vehicles are road safety compliant. They should take place at the start of every day or every time a new driver enters a vehicle. It’s not only about keeping your drivers and vehicles safe, it’s also to keep other road users safe.
Failure to complete daily vehicle checks can lead to serious consequences as they are a legal requirement in both the UK and Ireland.
The all important question is what checks should you be carrying out? Let’s find out.
Daily Vehicle Inspection Checklist
The checks you should be completing will be dependent on the type of vehicle you have. For example, a HGV requires checks that a car doesn’t. And a van will have different checks to a trailer. Below we have compiled a list of checks that you should carry out. This list is not exhaustive of all checks but has been created to give you an idea of what checks should be carried out.
External Vehicle Inspection Checks
- The battery is held securely in place by the correct means and is not leaking
- The brake fluid, engine coolant, engine oil, power steering fluid, windscreen washer fluid levels are correct and there are no leaks
- With the engine on, check underneath the vehicle that there are no fuel or oil leaks
- The fuel filler cap is securely fitted
- All doors shut properly and are secure when closed and the doors have an effective locking device
- There isn’t any damage or sharp edges and no body panels are loose or in danger of falling off
- The exhaust doesn’t emit excessive amounts of smoke
- Check as much of your tyres and wheels as you can see. There must be: a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, sufficient inflation of each tyre, no deep cuts in the sidewall, no cord visible anywhere on the tyre and no missing or insecure wheel-nuts
- Any load is adequately secured
- The tow bar is secure and any trailer is correctly and securely attached, with all electrical connections working correctly
- The tail lift is secure and free from damage, functions correctly and the electrics are working correctly
Internal Vehicle Inspection Checks
- The foot or service brake and the hand or parking brake work correctly and don’t have any excessive travel
- The horn works
- The steering has no excessive play
- All lights and indicators work correctly. All lenses are present and clean
- The stop lights come on when the service brake is applied and go out when released
- The dashboard warning lights work correctly: ABS, SRS, EPS, full beam warning light and parking brake light
- All mirrors that should be there are properly aligned and secure
- Your view of the road in all directions isn’t obscured by damaged or discoloured glass, or obstructions, eg stickers
- The seats are secured, the seat belts operate correctly and are free from cuts and damage
- The wipers move continually when switched on and the wiper blades aren’t damaged so that they clear the windscreen effectively when used with washers
- The washers point at the windscreen, are operational and the washer low light fluid is not on
Trailer Vehicle Inspection Checks
- All lights and indicators work correctly. All lenses are present and clean
- There isn’t any damage or sharp edges and no body panels are loose or in danger of falling off
- Check as much of your tyres and wheels as you can see. There must be: a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, sufficient inflation of each tyre, no deep cuts in the sidewall, no cord visible anywhere on the tyre and no missing or insecure wheel-nuts
- Any load is adequately secured
- The tow bar is secure and any trailer is correctly and securely attached, with all electrical connections working correctly
As mentioned above the Daily Vehicle Checklist is not exhaustive and different vehicles will require different checks.
What Your Daily Vehicle Checks Cover
Check out the table below that includes the key areas you need to cover, what you should check and why. These are relevant across all vehicle types.
Check Area | What To Inspect | Why It Matters |
Tyres & Wheels | Tread depth, pressure, damage, wheel nuts | Prevents blowouts & improves fuel efficiency |
Lights & Indicators | Headlights, brake lights, indicators, hazards | Ensures visibility & legal compliance |
Brakes | Brake feel, unusual noises, warning lights | Critical for safety & stopping distance |
Mirrors & Windscreens | Cleanliness, cracks, proper adjustment | Clear visibility & road safety |
Fluids | Oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid | Prevents engine damage & overheating |
Battery & Dashboard Alerts | Warning lights, battery condition | Early detection of faults |
Horn | Sound test | Required safety feature |
Seatbelts | Function & condition | Legal compliance & occupant safety |
Body Damage | New dents, loose panels, leaks | Identifies safety & insurance issues |
Load Security | Load secured, doors locked | Prevents load shift & accidents |
Daily Vehicle Check App
Our Daily Vehicle Check app is an industry recognised solution for ensuring the road safety compliance of vehicles. The app is designed for fleets of all sizes and types with the option to customer questions.
The Walkaround Check app is integrated with Velocity Fleet, your free online account management system. As soon as a driver completes their check it is uploaded to Velocity for the Fleet Manager to view. You can also be alerted if checks are failed or not completed.
The app is provided free of charge to all Fuelwise Fuel Card accounts.
To find out more information or to arrange a demo please complete the form below.
Marketing Manager at Fuelwise
Dominic has been covering the fuel and fleet management industry for over seven years, writing about Fuel Cards, Telematics, and Vehicle Cameras. In 2023 he was awarded the Excellence In Marketing award at the Causeway Chamber Business Awards, followed by the Best Use Of Social Media In Service/B2B at the 2024 NI Social Media Awards. You can connect with Dominic on LinkedIn here.
