Site Vehicle
pre-use check

The 8 things to look at before the key turns on site vehicle / van.

Every item below says what good looks like, when it passes, the regulation or manufacturer's standard it rests on and the defects that usually fail it. That guidance is the difference between a tick and a check.

1. 1.

   Walk-around check — no damage
   What to look forWalk the full perimeter — bodywork dents and scrapes (note for damage register), mirrors intact, glass undamaged, doors closing properly, no fluid drips, exhaust securely mounted, mud flaps in place, rear underrun bar (where required) attached.
   Acceptable whenNo new damage since last shift (recorded). Mirrors in place. No fluid leaks. Doors latch positively. Underrun bar present on relevant trucks. Number plate clean and unobstructed.
   StandardPUWER 1998 reg.5. Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regs 1986. CDM 2015 reg.27 (site traffic).
   Common defectsNew damage since last shift not recorded — accountability gapMirror knocked off and replaced with a stick-on convexMud flaps missing — debris flick on public roadExhaust hanging on one mounting strapNumber plate obscured by mud or covered by load
2. 2.

   Tyres condition and pressure acceptable
   What to look forTread depth ≥1.6mm across the central ¾ of the tread (legal minimum), more recommended for site work. Sidewalls free of bulges, cuts, or impact damage. Pressure within the placard for the load (tyre placard is on the door pillar or fuel flap). Inflation valve cap fitted. No mismatched tyres on an axle.
   Acceptable whenTread ≥1.6mm (legal); ≥3mm operationally on a load-carrying van. Pressures within ±5% of placard. No bulges or repairs in the sidewall. Matching tyres on each axle.
   StandardRoad Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regs 1986 reg.27. Road Traffic Act 1988. PUWER 1998 reg.5.
   Common defectsTread legal centrally but bald on the inner edge — track issue, will fail soonSidewall plug repair (illegal repair) — tyre failUnderinflated by 20% — heat build-up, blow-out riskMismatched tyres on a driven axle — handling and ABS issuesSpare tyre flat — no use in a roadside emergency
3. 3.

   Lights, indicators, and brake lights working
   What to look forSidelights, dipped beam, main beam, fog lights, hazards, indicators (front, side, rear), brake lights (all three including high-mount), reverse lights, number plate lamp. Walk the back with someone confirming each lamp from the cab.
   Acceptable whenAll exterior lighting functional. Lenses not cracked, not modified colours (e.g. tinted). Headlamp aim within spec.
   StandardRoad Vehicles Lighting Regs 1989. Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regs 1986.
   Common defectsHigh-mount brake light out — easy to miss as the lower pair still workFog light wired on permanently — illegal useCracked lens letting in water — bulb corrosionIndicator flashing fast — bulb out on that sideTinted lenses fitted aftermarket — non-compliant
4. 4.

   Windscreen clear — wipers working
   What to look forNo chips/cracks within the driver's primary view (zone A — within 290mm of the steering wheel) larger than 10mm. Outside this, no chips larger than 40mm. Wipers clearing the screen without smear or chatter, washer jets aimed and reservoir full. No stickers blocking view.
   Acceptable whenNo chip >10mm in zone A; no chip >40mm in the swept area. Wipers leave no streaks. Washer fluid topped up with appropriate concentrate (winter blend in winter).
   StandardRoad Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regs 1986 reg.30 (windscreens) and reg.34 (wipers/washers). MOT inspection manual.
   Common defectsChip in zone A from a stone — must be repaired or screen replacedWiper blade torn — leaves a single streakWasher jet blocked or aimed too highReservoir empty in winter — fluid frozenStickers (radio, vehicle nav) in driver's primary view
5. 5.

   Fluid levels checked
   What to look forEngine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering (where applicable), windscreen washer, AdBlue (where fitted). Each between MIN and MAX, free of contamination. Brake fluid in particular: should be amber, not dark — discoloration indicates moisture absorption.
   Acceptable whenAll fluids between MIN and MAX. Brake fluid amber/clear. AdBlue topped up (modern diesel will derate then refuse to start when empty).
   StandardPUWER 1998 reg.6. Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regs 1986. Manufacturer's service schedule.
   Common defectsBrake fluid dark — moisture absorption, due for changeAdBlue ignored, vehicle entering "engine start denial" countdownCoolant low — slow leak around the radiator coreWasher reservoir filled with plain water — frozen overnightEngine oil over MAX — recently topped up over an existing high level
6. 6.

   Insurance, MOT, and tax current
   What to look forInsurance certificate covers the vehicle, the driver, and the use (business / haulage / hire-and-reward as appropriate). MOT in date (verifiable on gov.uk). VED (tax) in date. Operator licence (where required for HGV) on the windscreen.
   Acceptable whenAll three in date. Insurance covers actual use (e.g. carriage of waste, mortar, etc., where required). HGV: O-licence disc displayed.
   StandardRoad Traffic Act 1988. Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994. Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995.
   Common defectsInsurance for SDP only when used commercially — uninsured for trade useMOT expired — driver unaware, easily checked onlineVED unpaid via DD failure — vehicle automatically untaxedO-licence margin (e.g. wrong base operating centre) — operator non-compliantDriver not named on the policy
7. 7.

   Load secured correctly
   What to look forLoad secured by ratchet straps, nets, or fixed bulkhead — sized for the load weight (each strap rated for a known LC, lashing capacity). Load not exceeding the GVW or axle weights. No loose tools rolling round behind the driver. Long loads marked and (over 2m projection) flagged.
   Acceptable whenRestraint adequate per DfT Load Securing guidance — typically front bulkhead + lashings rated to ½ load weight forward, ½ side, ½ rear (sliding-friction assumption). GVW and axle limits respected. Long loads marked.
   StandardDfT Load Securing: vehicle operator guidance (2020). Road Traffic Act 1988 s.40A (using vehicle in dangerous condition). EN 12195-1.
   Common defectsLoose tools in the back of a van — projectile in a sudden stopStrap rated 250daN used for a 1-tonne pallet — under-ratedBulkhead missing on a panel van — load impacts cabLong pipe projecting >1m beyond the vehicle without a flagOverweight on the rear axle — front lifts, traction lost
8. 8.

   First aid kit present
   What to look forBS 8599-2 motor vehicle first aid kit (or equivalent) on board, in date, contents not raided. Plus warning triangle (legal in many EU jurisdictions and many sites mandate it), high-vis vest within reach of the driver's seat (not in the back).
   Acceptable whenKit present, in date, contents intact. Triangle present. High-vis vest within driver's reach. Fire extinguisher (where mandated by site) in date.
   StandardHealth and Safety (First-Aid) Regs 1981 (where applies). BS 8599-2 (motor vehicle FAK). Site rules.
   Common defectsKit raided for plasters and never restockedKit out of date — bandages aged outHi-vis stored under tools in the back — driver exits cab without itWarning triangle missingExtinguisher gauge in red — pressure lost

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