What is a DVSA daily walkaround check?

A daily walkaround check is a pre-use inspection of a commercial vehicle's roadworthiness — lights, tyres, brakes, mirrors, leaks and more. It is a legal duty before the vehicle is first used each day, and any defects must be reported promptly.

Are walkaround checks a legal requirement?

Yes. Under DVSA's Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness, a responsible person must carry out the check before first use, drivers must report defects promptly, and knowingly using a defective vehicle is a prosecutable offence.

How long must walkaround records be kept?

DVSA expects walkaround reports, defect reports and the record of rectification to be kept for at least 15 months. HaulGuard keeps them automatically.

Does the walkaround app work offline?

Yes — HaulGuard is an offline-first PWA, so drivers can complete checks with no signal and they sync when back online.

Can I customise the check templates?

Yes. HaulGuard ships DVSA-aligned templates for HGVs, PCVs/PSVs and vans, and you can add your own custom check items on top for the way your fleet runs.

How do I export checks for a DVSA audit?

In one click. HaulGuard produces a tamper-evident PDF or CSV evidence pack covering the full 15-month window for any roadside check, audit or Traffic Commissioner request.

DVSA walkaround checks

The DVSA daily walkaround check app, done in 2 minutes

Digital daily vehicle checks with photo, GPS and signature evidence — and a tamper-proof 15-month audit trail. Built for UK HGV, PCV and van fleets.

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In short

A daily walkaround check is a legally required pre-use inspection of every commercial vehicle. HaulGuard makes it a guided two-minute check on a phone — photo, GPS and signature evidence, defects routed straight to a mechanic, and every record kept for the DVSA’s 15-month window.

What you get

Evidence on every check, automatically

Guided DVSA templates

Step-by-step walkaround templates aligned to DVSA standards, plus custom checks for your fleet.

Photo evidence

Document every defect with photos, not just a tick or a note.

GPS & timestamp

Each check records where and when it happened — proof, not assertion.

Digital signatures

Driver sign-off and nil-defect declarations captured on-screen.

Works offline

Installs to any iOS or Android phone as an offline-first PWA — no app-store rollout. Complete checks with no signal at the depot or roadside; they sync automatically.

15-month audit trail

Every check retained for the full DVSA window and exportable on demand.

The checklist

What the daily check must cover

A DVSA walkaround runs through the roadworthiness items below before the vehicle is first used. HaulGuard guides the driver through each one — tap the item for how to check it and what a pass or fail looks like.

Want the whole routine in one place? Read the complete 2026 walkaround guide or work straight from the full DVSA check list.

By vehicle type

Walkaround checks for every vehicle you run

HGV walkaround checksLights & indicators · Tyres & wheels · Mirrors, glass & washers · Brakes · Leaks & fluids · Body & load security · Coupling · Cab & controls · Safety equipment Van walkaround checksLights & indicators · Tyres & wheels · Mirrors, glass & washers · Brakes · Leaks & fluids · Body & load · Cab & controls PCV walkaround checksLights & indicators · Tyres & wheels · Mirrors, glass & washers · Brakes · Leaks & fluids · Passenger safety · Cab & controls · Safety equipment Coach walkaround checksLights & indicators · Tyres & wheels · Mirrors, glass & washers · Brakes · Leaks & fluids · Passenger & saloon · Luggage & facilities · Safety equipment Minibus walkaround checksLights & indicators · Tyres & wheels · Mirrors, glass & washers · Brakes · Leaks & fluids · Passenger access & safety · Cab & controls Tipper walkaround checksLights & indicators · Tyres & wheels · Mirrors, glass & washers · Brakes · Leaks & fluids · Tipping gear · Body & load · Cab & controls · Safety equipment Trailer walkaround checksCoupling & connections · Lights & indicators · Tyres & wheels · Brakes & running gear · Body & load

Paper vs digital

What a DVSA auditor actually wants to see

Paper walkaround sheets

Nil-defect declarations unrecorded or unsigned
A failed item noted but never chased to repair
No proof of when the walkaround happened
Back-dated or skipped checks
Sheets lost or illegible before an audit

With HaulGuard

Every nil-defect and defect signed on-screen
Failed items become tracked defects to sign-off
Timestamp, GPS and signature on each check
Real-time view of missed and overdue checks
One-click evidence pack, stored for 15 months

See paper vs digital walkaround checks, compared — with the dated cost and compliance breakdown.

Run your next walkaround digitally — free for 30 days

Set up your first vehicle and complete a guided DVSA check in under 5 minutes.

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FAQ

DVSA walkaround checks, answered

Keep reading

Walkaround check generatorThe free version of this check: build and print a DVSA sheet for your vehicle type, no signup.Defect managementTurn a failed walkaround item into a tracked, signed-off repair.O-licence compliance hubHow daily checks fit the wider O-licence picture, from check to audit pack.For driversHow the two-minute check works in the cab, offline and with gloves on.Vehicle check guidesHow to check tyres, brakes, lights and every other item, one by one.Drivers' hours calculatorCheck your driving time, breaks and rest against the UK drivers' hours rules.

Stop relying on paper. Start your free trial.

Set up your first vehicle and run a compliant DVSA walkaround in under 5 minutes.

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No credit card · 30-day free trial · up to 10 vehicles