Any HGV driver should be aware that daily walkaround checks of their vehicle are a key part of the job. This is crucial because it ensures your vehicle is safe and roadworthy to drive. For HGVs in particular, there are specific walkaround checks to carry out each day.
But which checks are they?
Key HGV daily walkaround checks to carry out
Before any journey, any driver should carry out a daily check on their HGV to make sure it is safe to travel in. It’s critical for all drivers to know what these walkaround checks involve to remain safe and keep other road users safe.
The basic checks which need to be made include:
- Tyre condition/pressure
- Headlights
- Steering
- Hazard lights
- Brakes
- Indicators
It’s a must to ensure all the above are working as expected and are in decent condition. A new check required by the DVSA is vehicle height. This basically means checking that the height of your vehicle is suitable for the route you will take. As the risk of bridge strikes is ever-present on UK roads for HGVs, this can’t be ignored.
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How long should my daily HGV check take?
In general, your daily walkaround check should take about 15 minutes. This is just about right to perform a thorough job but without it eating into your working day too much. Although it might seem a pain to do this before every journey, it’s very important. Do not be tempted to either rush these checks or miss them out altogether to get out on the road faster!
Who is responsible for conducting daily vehicle checks?
The simple fact is that drivers are responsible for the condition of their vehicle and this means it’s on you to carry out these daily walkaround checks. If something goes wrong with your vehicle on the road and an accident ensues, you could be held liable if the condition of your HGV was the cause.
It’s also crucial to remember that these checks should be done by every driver before getting behind the wheel of an HGV. This is the case even if someone else has completed their checks and driven the same vehicle earlier in the day. The last vital point to note is that keeping a record of the checks you make each day is a must. This not only means you can report any issues for fixing easily to your employer but that you have a record of carrying out checks if needed.
James Hart Chorley Ltd – truck servicing and spare parts
It goes without saying that any issues picked up on your daily checks should not only be reported instantly but also fixed asap, before driving your HGV again. At James Hart Chorley Ltd, we have been supporting commercial vehicles with tuck servicing/spare parts for over 100 years. Get in touch today on 01257 279414 to see how we can help get you back on the road quickly.