In the commercial road transport sector, compliance is non-negotiable, and few duties are as critical—or as frequently highlighted by regulators—as the daily walkaround check.
The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain have repeatedly underscored this requirement, most recently in their guidance, “The Walkaround Check: A Legal Duty and Safety Priority.” The message is clear: this is not an optional task; it is a fundamental pillar of road safety and a key operator undertaking.
Why the Regulator is Focusing on the Daily Check
The GOV.UK guidance provides a sharp reminder to all transport operators and drivers: the walkaround check is the frontline defence against defects, prohibitions, and regulatory action.
A properly conducted check is vital because it:
- Prevents Accidents and Fatalities: It ensures the vehicle (HGV or PSV) is safe, roadworthy, and fit for purpose before it enters public roads.
- Avoids Enforcement Action: It minimises the risk of roadside prohibitions issued by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) or the police, which can lead to significant downtime and fines.
- Protects Your O-Licence: It demonstrates commitment to the operator undertakings given to the Traffic Commissioner, protecting your Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) and your licence itself.
Crucially, the guidance states that this check counts as working time, and drivers must be allocated sufficient time to complete it methodically, consistently, and thoroughly—checking everything from lights and tyres to load security and fluid levels.
Moving from Compliance to Excellence
Identifying a defect is only half the job; the other half is reporting, recording, and rectifying it efficiently. The responsibility for a compliant fleet is shared: the driver must conduct the check and report, while the operator must ensure robust systems are in place for prompt repair and maintaining a complete audit trail.
If the walkaround check is the legal duty, then training and strong systems are the key to fulfilling that duty. At Dave Robbins Transport Consultants, we specialise in transforming compliance obligations into operational excellence.
Enhance Your Driver Compliance
A checklist is useless if a driver doesn't know what they are looking for or the consequences of missing a defect.
Our Walkaround/Driver Compliance Course is designed to eliminate uncertainty. We provide your team with practical, systematic training on the latest DVSA standards for pre-use inspections, defect reporting, and adherence to legal requirements. We ensure your drivers are confident, professional, and audit-ready every time they start a shift.
The Full Compliance Toolkit
The walkaround check is one piece of a larger compliance puzzle. We offer a full suite of services to ensure your entire operation is safe, legal, and efficient:
- Driver CPC Training: Maintain your drivers' professional qualification with our comprehensive Driver CPC Courses. Our modules ensure your team remains up-to-date on all regulatory areas, including the latest walkaround and vehicle safety procedures.
- Operator Licence & Compliance Services: From initial Operator Licence Applications to in-depth Compliance Audits and Operator Licence Awareness Training (OLAT), we partner with you to establish and maintain the robust management systems required by the Traffic Commissioner. We help you proactively identify and fix compliance gaps before the DVSA does.
Don't wait for a roadside prohibition or a Public Inquiry to review your maintenance systems. Turn the legal obligation of the walkaround check into a daily habit of safety and compliance.
HGV walkaround checks 2025: official DVSA guide provides an official guide on how drivers should be conducting their daily vehicle inspections.
At The Dave Robbins Transport Academy we can arrange specific courses for you and your business if you dont see the course you are looking for on our website. If in doubt please give us a call after visiting our courses page: https://www.roadtransportconsultant.co.uk/courses