DVSA updates the HGV daily walkaround checks guidance

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has updated its guidance on daily walkaround checks for HGV operators. The changes clarify requirements and reflect updated best practice. Operators should review the updated guidance and ensure their check procedures and records meet the new standard.

What the Updated Guidance Covers

The DVSA's walkaround check guidance sets out the items that must be inspected before each journey: brakes, lights, tyres, steering, mirrors, windscreen and wipers, horn, and load security among others. The updated guidance provides additional clarity on what constitutes an adequate check and how defects should be recorded and reported.

The Recording Requirement

Operators must maintain records of daily walkaround checks. These records must be available for DVSA inspection and must demonstrate that checks are being completed systematically across the fleet. Paper-based records are acceptable but increasingly being replaced by digital systems that provide a more robust audit trail.

Digital Walkaround Check Tools

Digital walkaround check applications allow drivers to complete and submit checks from a mobile device, with automatic timestamping, photo capture for identified defects, and immediate visibility for fleet managers. The resulting records are considerably more robust than paper-based alternatives and significantly reduce the administrative burden of managing compliance documentation.

The Compliance Risk

Failure to maintain adequate walkaround check records is a significant compliance risk. In the event of a DVSA inspection or following an incident involving a vehicle defect, operators who cannot demonstrate systematic pre-journey checks face improvement notices, prohibition orders, and in serious cases, operator licence action.