Daily Vehicle Checks

What are Daily Vehicle Checks and Are They a Legal Requirement?

Daily vehicle checks play a key role in keeping your vehicles safe and roadworthy, whether you manage a fleet or drive your own vehicle. But do the rules actually require you to do them?

Why Do Daily Vehicle Checks Matter?

Daily vehicle checks are essential for keeping everyone safe on the road. By inspecting lights, tyres, fluid levels, and mirrors, you can catch small issues before they become costly repairs. A simple daily walkaround helps prevent breakdowns and keeps your fleet running smoothly.

Key Benefits of Daily Checks

Increased Safety: Identify potential issues early to prevent accidents and keep everyone on the road safer.
Less Downtime: Regular checks help catch problems before they escalate, reducing unexpected repairs and keeping vehicles on the move.
Better Compliance: Stay on top of legal requirements and ensure your vehicles meet UK roadworthiness standards.

Are Daily Vehicle Checks Legally Required?

In the UK, drivers of commercial vehicles are required by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to carry out daily checks, such as a full walkaround before the first journey of the day or each shift. For light goods vehicles (under 3,500 kg), there isn’t a specific legal requirement for pre-journey checks. However, employers are still responsible for ensuring the safety of all work vehicles.

Why check LCV? (Light Commercial Vehicles)

In the UK, commercial vehicle drivers must carry out daily checks as outlined by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), typically including a full walkaround before the first journey of the day or at the start of each shift. While light goods vehicles (under 3,500 kg) aren’t legally required to have pre-journey checks, employers remain responsible for ensuring the safety of all work vehicles.

How to Conduct a Daily Vehicle Check

A simple way to remember the essentials of a vehicle check is the F.L.O.W.E.R. acronym:

• Fuel: Ensure there is enough fuel for the journey and that the fuel cap is secure.
• Lights: Check that all lights and indicators are working correctly, including dashboard warning lights.
• Oil: Check the oil level and top up if needed to keep the engine running smoothly.
• Water: Ensure coolant and windscreen washer fluid levels are adequate.
• Electrics: Test the electrics, including the battery, horn, and dashboard warning lights.
• Rubber: Inspect tyres for correct tread depth, pressure, and any signs of damage.

These checks only take a few minutes but can prevent major problems later.

Note: For light commercial vehicles, the “L” can also remind drivers to consider the vehicle’s load. This includes checking the vehicle’s weight limit, securing cargo with ratchet straps or netting where appropriate, ensuring doors, exhausts, and tow bars are secure, and checking that seatbelts are functional and free from damage or cuts.

Konexit: Simplifying Vehicle Checks with a Mobile App

Keeping track of vehicle inspections can be time-consuming and prone to errors when using paper forms or spreadsheets. Konexit offers a mobile app solution that streamlines the entire process, helping companies manage all their vehicle inspection data in one place.

With the Konexit app, you can:

• Digitise daily vehicle checks: Replace paper forms with a simple, easy-to-use mobile interface.
• Store inspection data securely: Keep a complete record of all vehicle checks, accessible anytime by authorised staff.
• Track compliance easily: Ensure your fleet meets legal requirements and internal safety standards.
• Identify issues early: Highlight faults or maintenance needs in real time, helping prevent costly breakdowns.
• Customise forms: Adapt checklists to your fleet, vehicle types, or specific company procedures.

By using Konexit, companies can save time, improve safety, and maintain full visibility of vehicle inspections, making fleet management simpler, smarter, and more reliable.

Speak to us today – Sales@konexit.co.uk and we’ll help you future proof your fleet.