FAQ: HGV Walkaround Checks
People at all stages of the transport industry have a responsibility to ensure that vehicles are safe and roadworthy. Drivers have a legal responsibility to inspect their vehicle daily before setting off, and when taking charge of a vehicle from another driver.
What are daily HGV walkaround checks?
HGV walkaround checks are a legal requirement for HGV drivers. They must inspect their vehicle for basic faults and defects before setting off, and when taking over a vehicle from another driver.
To uphold these rules, the DVSA may ask for evidence of the driver's daily walkaround check during roadside stops!
The full list of what needs checking is too long to publish here - you can visit the government's website to read it, or download our free PDF checklist using the pop-up on this page to see which bits need inspecting, and what to look for (if you instinctively closed it already, refresh the page and it'll come back).
The DVSA's video below also covers the points that require checking:
How long should HGV walkaround checks take?
On average, daily HGV walkaround checks take about 15 minutes, but you should spend longer if you believe it is necessary. Taking your time ensuring vehicle safety could prevent fines from the DVSA, and more importantly, road accidents.
What records should be made when performing HGV walkaround checks?
The driver must make a record of any defects they find during the checks, and ensure they are reported to a manager, or otherwise addressed. If any issues affect the vehicle to a hazardous degree, the driver should not use the vehicle.
Many operators use a printed checklist for their drivers' HGV walkaround checks. This way, they can be easily handed to the DVSA in the event of a roadside stop. We've created an A4 checklist PDF document you can download using the pop-up on this page, if you're interested.
What are the consequences of failing to perform HGV walkaround checks?
Drivers can be fined up to £1500 for driving a defective vehicle - that is, a vehicle that shouldn't be driven due to dangerous faults that should have been detected during the driver's daily HGV walkaround check.
Further Reading
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