Guidance

Keeping commercial vehicles safe to drive (roadworthy)

How to keep heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and public service vehicles (PSVs) safe to drive, including daily checks, inspections, maintenance and record keeping.

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published
22 April 2014
Last updated
185 AprilNovember 20232024 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Guide to maintaining roadworthiness: commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicles

HTML

Guide to maintaining roadworthiness: commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicles

PDF, 30.724.4 MB, 112108 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 3a: Example of a driver's vehicle defect report (goods vehicles)

PDF, 36.9 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 3b: Example of a driver's vehicle defect report (PSV)

PDF, 38 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 3c: Example of a driver's vehicle defect report (light goods vehicles)

PDF, 34.2 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 4a: Example of a safety inspection record (HGV and trailer)

PDF, 86.1 KB, 4 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 4b: Example of a safety inspection record (PSV)

PDF, 84.3 KB, 4 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email gov.uk.publishing@dvsa.gov.ukaccessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 4c: Example of a safety inspection record (LGV)

PDF, 81.3 KB, 4 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 4d: Example of a safety inspection record (small trailer)

PDF, 64.4 KB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 5: Example of a maintenance contract

PDF, 40.5 KB, 3 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 6: Specimen maintenance planner

PDF, 48 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Annex 7: Example of a brake assessment risk assessment template

PDF, 99.5 KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email accessible-formats@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This guide explains the responsibilities and systems involved in keeping vehicles in a roadworthy condition, regardless of operating conditions, fleet size or vehicle type. This includes HGVs, vans, buses and coaches.

It includes guidance on:

  • daily checks and inspections
  • inspection and repair facilities
  • regular safety inspections
  • responsibilities for roadworthiness
  • monitoring

You cannot buy printed copies of the guide, but you’re allowed to print your own copies.

Drivers

Updates shouldto usethis thepage

Published HGV22 driver’sApril daily2014
Last walkaroundupdated check5 November 2024 + show all updates

  1. Updated driver’sto dailythe walkaroundlatest checkversion asof partthe guide to maintaining roadworthiness. Updates include: - added HTML version of yourthe guide - added advice on outsourcing maintenance system.

    Youwork canto alsosection get'5. expertSafety adviceinspections and repair facilities' - added guidance on drivingusing commerciala vehiclesdecelerometer byto buyingsection the:

Published- 22added Aprilexample 2014
Lastrisk updatedassessment 18to April'Annex 2023 + show7 allperformance updates
    risk assessment'

  1. Updated to the latest version of the ‘Guide to maintaining roadworthiness: commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicles.

  2. Updated contact details for Logistics UK - the new name for the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

  3. Updated section 5.2 (tyre management system) in preparation for the ban on tyres 10 years or older being used on the front wheels of lorries, buses and coaches, and all wheels of minibuses.

  4. Updated the guidance to include advice on the monitoring of tyre age, and updated the daily walkaround check diagrams.

Sign up for emails or print this page