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Vehicle inspection checklist

A daily vehicle inspection checklist for vans, pickups and cars. It follows the 19 checks in the DVSA van drivers' daily walkaround check, from mirrors and warning lights to tyres, load and AdBlue, and records the registration, mileage and photos of each side. Each defect is graded safe to drive or dangerous, and the fleet manager signs off the repair. Every question is listed below, and you can fill the live form in on this page.

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What should a daily vehicle inspection checklist include?

A daily vehicle inspection checklist should cover the 19 DVSA walkaround checks: front view, mirrors and glass, washers and wipers, dashboard warning lights, steering, horn, brakes, seats and belts, lights and indicators, fluids, battery, bodywork and doors, tyres and wheels, load, AdBlue, exhaust, alternative fuel systems, number plates, tow bars and other equipment. It should record the registration, date, defects, your assessment of them, your name and who you reported them to.

Last updated . Facts checked by the SiteSurvey team on 17 October 2026 against DVSA guidance: carry out van daily walkaround checks, the Highway Code annex 6 on vehicle maintenance, safety and security and DVSA guidance: carry out HGV daily walkaround checks.

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Every question in the vehicle inspection template

A daily vehicle inspection checklist and defect report for vans and cars: walkaround checks, mileage, tyre tread, photos of each side, defects graded safe or not to drive, and fleet sign-off. 4 sections and 69 questions. Follow-up questions and guidance appear only when an answer calls for them, so the person on site never sees the ones that do not apply.

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Add this form to a project in SiteSurvey and it fills in what the project already knows, so nobody on site retypes it and every form on the job uses the same names. Anything filled in can still be changed.

  • Project: the project name
  • Client: the project's customer
  • Depot or site: the site, when the form is opened for a space or a product
  • Depot or site address: the site address, from the space or the project

Vehicle and driver

  • ProjectShort answer
    Fills in from the project name
  • ClientShort answer
    Fills in from the project's customer
  • Depot or siteShort answer
    Fills in from the site, when the form is opened for a space or a product
  • Depot or site addressShort answer
    Fills in from the site address, from the space or the project
  • Date of the check*Date
  • TimeTime
  • Driver*Short answer
  • Registration number*Short answer
  • Scan the number plate or fleet tagScan a label: registration, fleet number

    Optional. Scan the label or tag to capture its numbers.

  • VehicleChoose one
    • Small van
    • Panel van (up to 3.5 tonnes)
    • Pickup
    • Car
    • Other
  • Make and modelShort answer
  • Odometer reading*Number
  • Fuel or charge levelChoose one
    • Full
    • 3/4
    • 1/2
    • 1/4
    • Reserve
  • GuidanceDVSA van walkaround check. These are the 19 checks in the DVSA van drivers' daily walkaround check. Record the registration, the date, each defect, your assessment of it, your name and who you reported it to. Record nil defects if you find none. DVSA can ask for the record at a roadside check.

Walkaround checks

  • 1. Front view, mirrors, cameras and glass: nothing blocking the view, windscreen not damagedChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “1. Front view, mirrors, cameras and glass: nothing blocking the view, windscreen not damaged” is “Defect”
  • 2. Windscreen washers and wipers work and are in good conditionChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “2. Windscreen washers and wipers work and are in good condition” is “Defect”
  • 3. Dashboard warning lights working, including ABS, airbag (SRS), EBS, EPS, ESC, full beam and parking brakeChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “3. Dashboard warning lights working, including ABS, airbag (SRS), EBS, EPS, ESC, full beam and parking brake” is “Defect”
  • 4. Steering moves properly, no excessive playChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “4. Steering moves properly, no excessive play” is “Defect”
  • 5. Horn worksChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “5. Horn works” is “Defect”
  • 6. Footwell clear; service brake and parking brake work without excessive travelChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “6. Footwell clear; service brake and parking brake work without excessive travel” is “Defect”
  • 7. Seats secure; seat belts undamaged, latch and retractChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “7. Seats secure; seat belts undamaged, latch and retract” is “Defect”
  • 8. Lights and indicators work; lenses fitted, clean and the right colourChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “8. Lights and indicators work; lenses fitted, clean and the right colour” is “Defect”
  • 9. Fluids, fuel and oil: levels correct, fuel filler cap secure, no leaks or puddlesChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “9. Fluids, fuel and oil: levels correct, fuel filler cap secure, no leaks or puddles” is “Defect”
  • 10. Battery secure, in good condition, not leakingChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “10. Battery secure, in good condition, not leaking” is “Defect”
  • 11. Bodywork and doors: doors shut and secure, no sharp edges or loose panelsChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “11. Bodywork and doors: doors shut and secure, no sharp edges or loose panels” is “Defect”
  • 12. Tyres and wheels: legal tread, inflated, no deep cuts or visible cord, wheels secureChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “12. Tyres and wheels: legal tread, inflated, no deep cuts or visible cord, wheels secure” is “Defect”
  • 13. Load secure, right securing system, doors and tailgate lockChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “13. Load secure, right securing system, doors and tailgate lock” is “Defect”
  • 14. AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid) topped upChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “14. AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid) topped up” is “Defect”
  • 15. Exhaust not leaking, no excessive smoke or noiseChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “15. Exhaust not leaking, no excessive smoke or noise” is “Defect”
  • 16. Alternative fuel system: isolation switch located, no leaksChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “16. Alternative fuel system: isolation switch located, no leaks” is “Defect”
  • 17. Number plates correct, secure and readableChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “17. Number plates correct, secure and readable” is “Defect”
  • 18. Tow bar and trailer secure, electrics working, breakaway cable fittedChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “18. Tow bar and trailer secure, electrics working, breakaway cable fitted” is “Defect”
  • 19. Other equipment, such as a tail lift or other loading equipment, secure, undamaged and workingChoose one
    • OK
    • Defect
    • Not applicable
  • What is wrong?Short answer
    Shown when “19. Other equipment, such as a tail lift or other loading equipment, secure, undamaged and working” is “Defect”
  • Lowest tread depth measured (mm)Number
  • WarningBelow the legal minimum. Cars and light vans need at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole circumference (Highway Code, annex 6). You can get 3 penalty points for each tyre that is not safe and legal. Do not drive the vehicle until the tyre is replaced.
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Photos of the front, back and both sidesPhotos

    Four photos show the vehicle's condition at the start of the shift.

  • Checks OKWorked out by the form
  • Checks with a defectWorked out by the form
  • Not applicableWorked out by the form

Defects

  • Did you find any defects?Yes or No

    Answer No to record nil defects.

  • Defects
    Repeat for each defect. Each one asks:
    Shown when “Did you find any defects?” is Yes
    • What is the defect and where?*Short answer
    • Can the vehicle be driven?*Choose one
      • Minor: safe to drive, report for repair
      • Dangerous: do not drive
    • WarningDo not drive. DVSA says dangerous defects must be fixed before the journey continues. Tell your supervisor or fleet manager now.
      Shown when “Can the vehicle be driven?” is “Dangerous: do not drive”
    • PhotosPhotos
    • Reported toShort answer
  • Dangerous defectsWorked out by the form
    Shown when “Did you find any defects?” is Yes
  • Result*Choose one
    • Nil defects
    • Minor defects reported, safe to drive
    • Dangerous defect: do not drive

Sign-off

  • Driver name*Short answer
  • Driver signatureSignature
  • Fleet manager or supervisorShort answer
    Shown when “Did you find any defects?” is Yes
  • Repair carried out and by whomNotes
    Shown when “Did you find any defects?” is Yes
  • Date repairedDate
    Shown when “Did you find any defects?” is Yes
  • CheckThe repair date is before the date of the check. Check both dates.
    Shown only when the answers above make it relevant
  • Supervisor signatureSignature
    Shown when “Did you find any defects?” is Yes

See it filled in

A completed vehicle inspection report, made by SiteSurvey from a fictional site visit: every answer, the photos, the guidance that applied and the sign-off, ready to send as a PDF.

See completed form (PDF) ↗

Vehicle inspection FAQs

What does DVSA say a walkaround check record must include?

DVSA says to record the vehicle registration or identification mark, the date, details of the defects or symptoms, your assessment of the defects (for example, dangerous), your name and who you reported them to. It says to use a form that lists the items checked each day and to record nil defects if you find none. DVSA can ask for the record at a roadside check.

Do van drivers have to do a daily check?

DVSA's guidance says that if you drive for a business that has an operator licence you should record and report all defects you find during the daily walkaround check or become aware of during your journey. It also says you are responsible for making sure your van is safe to drive, and to carry out a walkaround check before your journey.

What is the legal minimum tyre tread depth?

The Highway Code (annex 6) says cars, light vans and light trailers must have at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole circumference. DVSA says you can get 3 penalty points for each tyre that is not safe and legal. The form shows a warning if the lowest tread you measure is under 1.6 mm.

What happens if the driver finds a dangerous defect?

DVSA says you must get dangerous defects fixed before you continue a journey, and that using a van in a dangerous condition can lead to an unlimited fine and a prison sentence. In the form, a defect graded dangerous shows a do not drive warning, the result becomes dangerous defect, and the fleet manager records the repair and signs it off.

Why take photos of each side of the vehicle?

Photos of the front, back and both sides at the start of each shift show the condition of the vehicle when the driver took it. They settle questions about new damage later, and they sit in the same record as the checks and the mileage.

Is this the right form for a forklift or an HGV?

No. Forklifts and other lift trucks have their own checks and thorough examinations, covered by the forklift inspection checklist, and DVSA publishes a separate HGV daily walkaround check. This form follows the DVSA van checks and is for vans, pickups and cars.

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