Checklist · Vehicle & Fleet
Heavy Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
Pre-trip safety inspection checklist for heavy vehicles (trucks, semi-trailers, tipper trucks, concrete agitators). Assists operators in meeting Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL).
38 checklist items · Last reviewed
Checklist Items
| Item | Pass / Yes | Fail / No |
|---|---|---|
| Date | ||
| Vehicle Registration | ||
| Vehicle Type / Configuration | ||
| Odometer / Hubodometer Reading (km) | ||
| Driver Name and Licence Number | ||
| ENGINE & FLUIDS | ||
| Engine oil level adequate | Pass | Fail |
| Coolant level adequate | Pass | Fail |
| Power steering fluid adequate | Pass | Fail |
| Windscreen washer fluid adequate | Pass | Fail |
| Fuel level adequate | Pass | Fail |
| No visible leaks under vehicle | Pass | Fail |
| TYRES & WHEELS | ||
| All tyre pressures correct per placard | Pass | Fail |
| All tyre tread depths above minimum 1.5 mm | Pass | Fail |
| No tyres have cuts, bulges or damage | Pass | Fail |
| Wheel nuts tight — no missing nuts, no rust streaks | Pass | Fail |
| Dual tyres not touching (no cross-ply/radial mixing) | Pass | Fail |
| BRAKES | ||
| Air brake system builds pressure correctly | Pass | Fail |
| Park brake holds vehicle stationary | Pass | Fail |
| No unusual brake noise during low-speed test | Pass | Fail |
| Brake adjustment indicators within limits (S-cam brakes) | Pass | Fail |
| LIGHTS & SIGNALS | ||
| All headlights, tail lights and brake lights operational | Pass | Fail |
| All indicators operational front and rear | Pass | Fail |
| Reversing lights and reversing alarm operational | Pass | Fail |
| Marker lights and clearance lights operational | Pass | Fail |
| Hazard lights operational | Pass | Fail |
| SAFETY EQUIPMENT | ||
| Seatbelt serviceable | Pass | Fail |
| Fire extinguisher present and within service date | Pass | Fail |
| Warning triangles / flares present | Pass | Fail |
| First aid kit present and stocked | Pass | Fail |
| LOAD / TRAILER (if applicable) | ||
| Trailer coupling secure (fifth wheel or drawbar) | Yes | No |
| Safety chains connected correctly | Yes | No |
| Trailer brake line and electrical connections secure | Yes | No |
| Load secured per load restraint guide | Yes | No |
| Load does not exceed vehicle GVM/GCM ratings | Yes | No |
| DRIVER | ||
| Work diary / EWD records completed (if required) | Yes | No |
| Driver is fit and not fatigued | Yes | No |
| Defects noted (describe) | ||
| Driver Signature | ||
Frequently asked questions
Does the NHVR require a daily pre-trip check?
Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), operators and drivers must make sure a heavy vehicle complies with the vehicle standards and is safe before it is used, and every party in the chain of responsibility must take reasonable steps to ensure safety. A documented daily pre-trip inspection is the most common way to show those steps were taken.
Does the HVNL apply in every state?
The HVNL applies in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. Western Australia and the Northern Territory have their own heavy vehicle laws, so check with the local transport authority there.
What should a heavy vehicle pre-trip check cover?
At a minimum: brakes and air system, steering, tyres and wheel nuts, lights and indicators, mirrors and windscreen, fluid levels and leaks, coupling and trailer connections, load restraint, and the in-cab warning lights. Record any defect and do not drive the vehicle until it is fixed.