How to do a van walkaround check

6 minute read · Last checked 16/10/2026

A simple daily check that catches problems before they become breakdowns, fines or worse.

Why do a daily check?

A walkaround check takes a few minutes before you set off. It catches the things that cause breakdowns, fines and accidents (a soft tyre, a blown bulb, a cracked mirror) while they're still cheap and easy to fix.

It also gives you a record. If a vehicle is ever stopped, or there's an accident, being able to show it was checked that morning makes a real difference.

What the law says

Whoever is driving is responsible for the vehicle being roadworthy. You can be prosecuted for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition, and the person or business that owns it can be too.

For lorries and buses, operators must have a system for drivers to do daily walkaround checks and report defects; it's a condition of their operator's licence. For vans and cars there's no specific rule saying you must do a documented daily check, but it's the easiest way to show you take roadworthiness seriously, and it's what the DVSA recommends.

The checklist

Walk all the way round the vehicle, then check inside the cab. Look for:

Outside

• Lights and indicators: all working, clean and not cracked. Don't forget brake lights and the number plate light.
• Tyres: correctly inflated, with no cuts, bulges or exposed cord. For cars and light vans the legal minimum tread is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, all the way round.
• Wheels: wheel nuts all present and secure.
• Bodywork and doors: no sharp edges or loose panels; doors and the load area close and lock properly.
• The load: secure, and not over the vehicle's weight limit.
• Mirrors and glass: mirrors secure and clean; no chips or cracks in the driver's line of sight.
• Number plates: clean, readable and secure.
• Leaks: no fuel, oil or coolant dripping underneath.

In the cab

• Wipers and washers: working, with screenwash topped up.
• Horn: works.
• Brakes and steering: no unusual play or noises; the handbrake holds.
• Warning lights: none showing once the engine is running.
• Seatbelts: all present, undamaged, and lock when pulled sharply.

Under the bonnet

• Fluid levels: engine oil, coolant, screenwash and, on many diesels, AdBlue.

If you find a problem

1. If it's dangerous, don't drive. For example a tyre with a bulge, brakes that don't feel right, or a warning light for oil pressure or brakes.
2. Report it to whoever looks after the vehicle, with a photo and a short description.
3. Get it fixed and recorded, so there's a clear trail from "reported" to "repaired".

Making it a habit

The checks that get done are the ones that are quick and easy. A checklist on the driver's phone, opened by scanning a sticker in the van, takes the effort out of it, and means defects reach the right person straight away.

That's exactly what Motorlane Fleet's driver checks do: each item is a tap, problems come with photos, and every check is saved with the driver, time and mileage.

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