Do our drivers need to do a daily vehicle check?

Walkaround checks (sometimes described as daily checks) are very important.  There are a range of items that can be easily checked on a regular basis which will ensure that potentially costly faults are picked up at an early stage, before serious damage occurs.  A responsible person must undertake a walkaround check before a vehicle is used. While these are often described as daily checks, they may need to take place more often if more than one driver is responsible for the vehicle during the day. 

Drivers must be aware that they are legally responsible for the vehicle whilst they are driving it, so it is in their best interest to complete the vehicle check before they drive it rather than rely on another person.  Operators should provide training for their drivers to show them what checks are required and how items should be checked.   

These checks are best carried out using a form which itemises things that need to be checked with a ‘tick box’ that the person undertaking the check can tick to indicate that they have checked each item.  The form should also have a space for a signature and the date to be used by the person carrying out the checks (remember, you will need two people to check the brake lights).  This paperwork can then be kept as an accurate record of preventative maintenance carried out on the vehicle. 

An example Daily Checklist/Vehicle Log Sheet is provided in our Maintenance Resources, which can be downloaded from the Advice Resources section of the Members’ Area of this website.