Pre-Use HGV Vehicle Checks (Walkaround)

#Why the walkaround matters

A daily walkaround is a legal requirement under the Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations and a working safety check that catches mechanical problems before they cost you a roadside fine or worse. The DVSA examiner on Module 4 of the Driver CPC expects you to demonstrate the full sequence and explain what you are looking for at each step. The pass mark on this section alone is 75 percent, with no individual sub-section below 15 out of 20.

In real-world driving, you do the walkaround at the start of every shift before the wheels move. Many operators require a written defect report regardless of whether you found a problem. The discipline matters because in a roadside check, the DVSA officer can ask you to walk through what you checked, and a confident, factual answer makes the difference between a clean pass and a deeper inspection. The walkaround complements the on-road portion covered in the HGV test explained guide.

#The walkaround sequence

The check follows a standard pattern, starting at the driver door and moving clockwise around the vehicle. Some training schools teach an anti-clockwise variant, the direction is less important than completing every item.

#Cab and inside the vehicle

• Mirrors: clean, undamaged, correctly adjusted (you do this seated, after entry)
• Windscreen: cracks, chips, wiper blade condition, washer fluid level
• Horn: working, audible
• Seatbelt: clicks securely, retracts properly
• Steering: free play within tolerance, no unusual stiffness
• Brake pedal: firm response, no excessive travel
• Air gauge: builds to working pressure (typically 7.5 bar) within reasonable time
• Warning lights: all extinguish after starting and pressure builds
• Tachograph: card inserted, vehicle registration entered, no error messages

#Front of vehicle

• Headlights: dipped and main beam, both sides, all bulbs working
• Indicators: front, both sides
• Marker lights and plates: front yellow marker, registration plate clean and legible
• Number plate: secure, lit, legible
• Bumper and chassis: no fresh damage or fluid stains beneath
• Engine bay: no obvious leaks, oil and coolant within marks

#Driver-side wheel arch and tyres

• Tyre tread: minimum 1 mm across central three-quarters of the tyre, no exposed cords or sidewall damage
• Tyre pressure: visual check for obviously low tyre, gauge check at depot if uncertain
• Wheel nuts: check for tightness indicators (chevrons aligned), no loose nuts, no rust streaks suggesting movement
• Wheel rim: no cracks or weld damage
• Air suspension: check for leaks if equipped
• Mud flaps: present, secure, undamaged

#Side of vehicle

• Side marker lights: amber, working
• Reflective markings: present, intact, legible
• Side guards (under-run protection): in place, no damage
• Curtains, panels, doors: secure, no holes or damage that would allow load shift
• Fuel filler cap: tight, no leaks, secure

#Rear of vehicle

• Rear lights: stop, tail, fog, reverse, indicators all working
• Number plate light: working, plate legible
• Rear marker plates: red and yellow chevron plates clean and unobstructed
• Rear under-run protection: secure
• Tail lift: tested if applicable, gates and stops in working order
• Rear doors: latches working, locks secure, no damage that compromises load

#Passenger side mirror to driver door

Repeat the wheel and tyre checks on the passenger side, including the front-near tyre, the wheel arch, and any second axle wheels on a four- or six-wheeler. You finish back at the driver door, completing the full circuit.

#Coupling area (C+E only)

For an articulated combination, the walkaround includes the fifth wheel and trailer interface: kingpin properly seated, dog clip closed, suzies (red and yellow air lines) secure and undamaged, electrics connected at 7-pin or 15-pin connector, parking brake on the trailer, ABS and EBS plug if present. Full coupling sequence in HGV coupling and uncoupling guide, and the wider Cat C+E licence guide covers when this applies.

#Load security

For a loaded vehicle, the final check is load security. Straps and ratchets at correct tension, side curtains pulled tight and secured, internal blocks and bracing in place, load distributed within axle limits, weight on tail lift area not exceeding limits. A rolling load is a serious offence and the operator carries strict liability for movement during transit.

#What to do if you find a defect

A safety-critical defect (faulty brake, leaking airline, exposed cord on a tyre, broken light cluster on a non-illuminated road) takes the vehicle off the road until repaired. Lower-priority defects (worn wiper blade, dirty marker plate) are recorded on the defect report but do not stop you driving. The judgment call is yours as the driver. The phrase "I should have noticed this on the walkaround" is the start of every traffic commissioner inquiry into a fatal collision.

Module 4 covers more than walkaround. The full module breakdown is at Driver CPC modules explained.