---
title: "Vehicle inspection checklist"
description: "Pre-trip and post-trip checks each day a work vehicle is used, and its annual inspection."
---

[Back to Templates](/templates/) Template

# Vehicle inspection checklist

Pre-trip and post-trip checks each day a work vehicle is used, and its annual inspection.

[Get Started Free](https://app.fixahead.com/signup) [Download CSV](/templates/vehicle-inspection-checklist/vehicle-inspection-checklist.csv)

## Pre-trip

| Task | Required | Photo required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Before starting | | |
| Review the last driver vehicle inspection report; confirm any listed defect is certified repaired, and sign | Required | No photo required |
| Cab | | |
| Parking brake holds | Required | No photo required |
| Service brakes are firm and respond; not soft or slow | Required | No photo required |
| Steering has no excess play and is not hard to turn | Required | No photo required |
| Engine starts properly; warning lights and gauges normal after start | Required | No photo required |
| Horn works | Required | No photo required |
| Windshield clear, no broken glass; wipers and washers work | Required | No photo required |
| Mirrors present, unbroken and adjusted | Required | No photo required |
| Heater and defroster work | Not required | No photo required |
| Seat belts present and working | Required | No photo required |
| Lights | | |
| Headlights (high and low), tail, brake, turn signals and four-way flashers work | Required | No photo required |
| Clearance and marker lights and reflectors present, clean and working | Required | No photo required |
| Backup lights and backup alarm work | Not required | No photo required |
| Tires and wheels | | |
| Tires properly inflated, with no visible damage or worn tread | Required | No photo required |
| Wheels and rims undamaged; lug nuts present and tight | Required | No photo required |
| Under hood | | |
| Oil, coolant, brake, power steering, transmission and washer fluid levels | Not required | No photo required |
| Belts, hoses, wires and battery in good condition | Not required | No photo required |
| Under vehicle | | |
| No fluid leaks under the vehicle | Not required | No photo required |
| Body and cargo | | |
| Cargo, tools and ladders secured from shifting or falling; doors latch | Required | No photo required |
| Walk around for exterior body damage | Not required | Photo required |
| Emergency equipment | | |
| Fire extinguisher charged, mounted and accessible | Required | No photo required |
| Reflective warning triangles on board | Required | No photo required |
| First aid kit stocked and in date | Not required | No photo required |
| Spare tire and jack present | Not required | No photo required |
| Documents | | |
| Registration and insurance on board | Not required | No photo required |
| Trailer (if towing) | | |
| Hitch, coupling, safety chains and locking devices secure | Required | No photo required |
| Trailer brake connections, hoses and lights connected and working | Required | No photo required |

## Post-trip

| Task | Required | Photo required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Report | | |
| Record in writing, per vehicle, any defect found or reported that affects safe operation | Required | No photo required |
| Driver signs the report | Required | No photo required |
| Repair | | |
| Repair any defect affecting safety before the next dispatch, or certify in writing that it needs no repair | Required | No photo required |

## Annually

| Task | Required | Photo required |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Brake system | | |
| Inspect service and parking brakes, lines, hoses and components | Required | No photo required |
| Coupling devices | | |
| Inspect fifth wheel, hitch and safety chains | Required | No photo required |
| Exhaust system | | |
| Check for leaks and secure mounting | Required | No photo required |
| Fuel system | | |
| Check for leaks; tank and cap secure | Required | No photo required |
| Lighting devices | | |
| Inspect all lamps and reflectors | Required | No photo required |
| Safe loading | | |
| Inspect load securement points | Required | No photo required |
| Steering mechanism | | |
| Inspect steering system | Required | No photo required |
| Suspension | | |
| Inspect springs, axles and attaching parts | Required | No photo required |
| Frame | | |
| Inspect frame and frame assemblies | Required | No photo required |
| Tires | | |
| Inspect tread, sidewalls and inflation | Required | No photo required |
| Wheels and rims | | |
| Inspect wheels, rims, lugs and studs | Required | No photo required |
| Windshield and wipers | | |
| Inspect glazing and wiper operation | Required | No photo required |
| Rear impact guard | | |
| Inspect guard, where fitted | Required | No photo required |
| Record | | |
| Place the inspection report or decal on the vehicle; keep the result in the vehicle file | Required | Photo required |

Checks for a work vehicle: a pre-trip check each day the vehicle is used, a post-trip check that records each defect and its repair, and an annual inspection by a mechanic.

Where the vehicle maker’s manual sets service intervals, or state or local motor-carrier rules apply to the fleet, they govern instead.

## Sources

- [OSHA, NETS and NHTSA: Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes](https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/motor_vehicle_guide.pdf)
- [Great American Insurance Group: Pre- and Post-Trip Vehicle Condition Report](https://www.greatamericaninsurancegroup.com/docs/default-source/loss-prevention/0083-lca---pre-and-post-trip-vehicle-inspection-report.pdf)
- [South Dakota Department of Transportation: Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist](https://dot.sd.gov/media/b23d1aef/VehiclePreTripInspectionSheet.pdf)

## Import it into FixAhead

Upload this file in FixAhead's maintenance procedure import, as a signed-in owner or manager. Each frequency loads as its own procedure, with its sections, tasks, and each task's Required and Photo required marks. If your account already has a procedure with the same name, this one is skipped and the existing one stays as it is.

Maintenance procedures are on the Pro plan, as [pricing](/pricing/) shows.

## Ready to get ahead of breakdowns?

Start free. No credit card required.

[Get Started Free](https://app.fixahead.com/signup) [Book a Demo](https://savvycal.com/fixahead/30-minutes-demo)