A practical walkaround checklist for UK van and light commercial vehicle operators. Covers tyres, lights, fluids, bodywork, and load security. and explains the line between what the driver checks and what needs a mechanic.
The confusion between these two terms creates real compliance gaps.
The daily walkaround is the driver's check. It happens before the vehicle moves. It covers everything visible from outside and inside the cab without tools: tyres, lights, mirrors, fluid levels, windscreen condition, bodywork damage, load security. Three to five minutes.
Planned maintenance is the mechanic's job. It happens at set intervals. typically every 6 weeks or every 10,000 miles for vans in intensive use. It covers brake wear, suspension components, steering geometry, and anything that requires a ramp or partially dismantled vehicle.
The driver cannot check brake pad thickness from the wheel arch. The mechanic cannot check that the load was secured at 6am. Each check covers different ground. Neither replaces the other.
DVSA distinguishes between them. An operator with good planned maintenance records but no daily walkaround records is still non-compliant. The vehicle may be in perfect mechanical condition and still be driven with a cracked windscreen nobody recorded.
Use this before each journey. Record any defects found, photograph them, and report to the fleet manager before moving the vehicle.
| Check | What to look for | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth | Legal minimum 1.6mm across central three-quarters. Action threshold: 3mm. | ☐ |
| Tyre pressure | Match vehicle placard or handbook. Check when cold. Visually inspect for underinflation. | ☐ |
| Tyre condition | No cuts, bulges, cracks, or embedded objects. Check sidewalls as well as tread. | ☐ |
| Wheel nuts | All present. No rust trails indicating movement. No missing indicator paint marks if fitted. | ☐ |
| Check | What to look for | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Headlights | Both working, dipped and main beam. Aim not obviously misaligned. | ☐ |
| Sidelights | Both working, front and rear. | ☐ |
| Brake lights | All three working (include high-level brake light where fitted). | ☐ |
| Indicators | All four working. No rapid flash indicating a failed bulb. | ☐ |
| Reversing light | Working. White light only. | ☐ |
| Hazard lights | All four indicators flash simultaneously. | ☐ |
| Number plate lights | Rear plate illuminated. Plate clean and legible. | ☐ |
| Check | What to look for | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | Between min and max on dipstick. No visible oil on the ground under the vehicle. | ☐ |
| Coolant | Level visible in reservoir. Not below minimum line. | ☐ |
| Brake fluid | Level visible in reservoir. Between min and max. | ☐ |
| Windscreen washer | Reservoir not empty. Confirm jets work before departing. | ☐ |
| AdBlue (if fitted) | Level not low. Low AdBlue can result in the vehicle entering limp mode. | ☐ |
| Check | What to look for | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen | No chips in driver's line of sight. No cracks crossing more than one zone. | ☐ |
| Mirrors | Both present and undamaged. Correctly adjusted. | ☐ |
| Bodywork damage | Any new damage since last check. Record and photograph if found. | ☐ |
| Doors and hatches | Fully closing and latching. Rear doors not fouling the load area. | ☐ |
| Check | What to look for | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Load secured | Tools, materials, and equipment cannot shift during transit. Racking bolted and undamaged. | ☐ |
| Payload within limits | Van not visibly overloaded. Rear suspension not bottomed out. | ☐ |
| Nothing protruding | No materials extending beyond load area without proper flagging. | ☐ |
| Check | What to look for | Done |
|---|---|---|
| Warning lights | No engine, battery, oil pressure, or tyre pressure warning lights on after startup. | ☐ |
| Horn | Working. | ☐ |
| Wipers | Blades clearing cleanly. No smearing. | ☐ |
| Handbrake | Holds on an incline. Not requiring excessive travel. | ☐ |
| Seatbelt | Clicks in and releases cleanly. Webbing not frayed. | ☐ |
Finding a defect is not a failure. It is the system working.
Record the defect immediately. not at end of day, not back at the yard. The record needs: vehicle registration, date and time, the defect, the driver's name.
A photograph is not mandatory but is advisable. It removes ambiguity about severity and provides a before/after comparison after repair.
Report to the fleet manager before the vehicle moves. Whether it is safe to use is a judgement the driver and operator make together. A cracked brake light is reportable but usually not a reason to stand the van down. A tyre with a visible bulge means the vehicle does not move until the tyre is changed.
The repair must be recorded. A defect with no follow-up repair record is the most damaging thing you can show DVSA. It proves the fault was known.
See the related van defect report template for a complete guide to recording and managing defects.
Some items on generic inspection checklists are not checkable by a driver on the roadside.
Brake pad thickness requires a direct visual through the wheel or removal of the wheel. It belongs on the planned maintenance schedule. The same applies to brake disc condition, hub bearing play, shock absorber performance, and exhaust system integrity beyond what is audible from the cab.
Planned maintenance intervals depend on usage. Light use (under 15,000 miles per year) typically follows manufacturer service intervals. Intensive use. multiple drivers, high mileage, heavy loads. warrants 6-weekly inspections regardless of mileage.
The planned maintenance record is as important as the walkaround record. Both must be retained and producible on request.
A thorough daily walkaround does not compensate for skipped planned maintenance. Both are required.
The daily walkaround is the driver's check before each journey. It covers visible defects: lights, tyres, fluid levels, bodywork, and load security. Planned maintenance is carried out by a mechanic at set intervals. typically every 6 weeks for vans on high mileage. and covers components the driver cannot inspect without lifting the vehicle or removing panels.
The driver is legally responsible for ensuring the vehicle is roadworthy before use. The operator must provide a system for reporting defects and act on them. If the driver reports a defect and the operator takes no action, the liability shifts to the operator.
The legal minimum for vans (Category C1 vehicles) is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width, around the full circumference. Most fleet operators set an action threshold of 3mm to allow time for replacement before the legal limit is reached.
There is no legal requirement for a physical signature, but DVSA expects records to identify who carried out the check. A named driver with a timestamp. paper or digital. satisfies this. Anonymous checklists provide little protection in an enforcement visit.
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