Whether you have a large fleet of vans or are an individual LGV driver, ensuring the safety and roadworthiness of your vehicles is an important legal obligation.
Regular vehicle checks are a critical part of this, helping to make sure minimum standards are met and identifying any issues that might prevent the vehicle from being safe on the road. Drivers and operators should know what to check before driving a van and perform daily vehicle walkaround checks as part of an overall vehicle maintenance, servicing and repair programme.
What to Check Before Driving a Van
DVSA guidance recommends that all van drivers should carry out a daily walkaround check to make sure their vehicle is roadworthy, including a wide range of checks both inside and outside the vehicle.
Whether performed using a paper checklist or with a digital app like CheckAVehicle, performing regular checks is a vital part of ensuring safety and roadworthiness. A few minutes each day goes a long way towards ensuring your vehicle is safe and legal.
So, what needs to be checked before driving a van?
To help with this, we’ve put together a basic checklist of items that should be inspected. It is important to note that the following is not intended to be an exhaustive list and that these checks should be performed as part of, and not be a substitute for, an overall vehicle maintenance programme that includes regular servicing and repairs.
You may also need to add other items to the checklist, depending on things such as mileage, vehicle type and the load being carried.
Van Driver’s Daily Walkaround Check
Inside the Van
Brakes
- Check that the foot and service brakes work correctly and do not have excessive travel
- Check that the hand and parking brake works correctly, without excessive travel
Lights
- Do all lights and indicators work as they should?
- Are all lenses present, clean and the right colour?
- Do stop lamps come on when the service brake is applied? Do they go out when released?
- Are marker lights present and working?
- Check that all dashboard warning lamps are working correctly, including the parking brake warning jamp, full beam headlamp warning lamp, automatic braking system (ABS), airbags (SRS) and electronic positioning lamp (EPS)
Mirror and Glass
- Are all mirrors present, correctly aligned and secure?
- Check that the view of the road isn’t obscured in any direction by damaged or discoloured glass, or by obstructions such as stickers
Horn and Steering
- Is the control easily accessible from the driver’s seat?
- Does the horn work as intended when operated?
- Check that the steering has no excessive play
Seats and Seat Belts
- Make sure that seats are secure
- Check that seat belts operate correctly and have no cuts or damage
Washers and Wipers
- Do wipers move continuously when switched on?
- Do the wiper blades clear the windscreen effectively when used with the washers?
- Do the washers operate correctly and point at the windscreen?
- Check that the washer fluid is correctly topped up
Outside the Van
Tyres and Wheels
Check that tyres:
- Have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm
- Are sufficiently inflated
- Do not have any deep cuts in the sidewall
- Have no cord visible anywhere on the tyre
- Have no missing or insecure wheel nuts
Fluids, Fuel and Oil
Check that the following levels are correct:
- Brake fluid
- Engine coolant
- Engine oil
- Power steering fluid
- Windscreen washer fluid
- Water levels
Check that:
- The fuel filler cap is fitted and secure
- There are no brake fluid, power steering fluid or water leaks
You should check underneath the vehicle for any puddles on the ground, which could indicate fuel or oil leaks. If there is any sign of a leak, trace the leak to its source.
Battery
- Is the battery held securely in place by the correct means?
- Check that the battery is not leaking
Exhaust
- Make sure the exhaust does not emit an excessive amount of smoke
Bodywork and Doors
- Check that there is no damage to the bodywork, including any sharp edges or loose body panels
- Check that all doors close properly and are secure when shut
Load
- Is the load adequately secured?
- Do the van doors have an effective locking device?
Tow Bars and Tail Lifts
Check that:
- The tow bar is secure
- Any trailer is correctly and securely attached, including correctly working electrical connections
- The tail lift is secure and free from any damage, functions as intended and has electrics that are working correctly
If any hazards or defects are noticed during the daily walkaround check, they must be repaired before the vehicle is driven on the road.
Daily Vehicle Walkaround Checks
As we said earlier, knowing what to check before driving a van is an important part of helping ensure vehicle safety, compliance and roadworthiness. A daily vehicle walkaround check may only take 5-10 minutes, but it goes a long way towards ensuring a vehicle is as safe as possible.
Looking for an easy way to perform paperless vehicle inspections and daily walkaround checks on any mobile or tablet device? Find out more about CheckAVehicle today.