Pre-trip inspection checklist for trucks
Updated · Reviewed by Israel Margulies, founder and CEO of High Point GPS
A walk-around checklist drivers use before the first trip of the day: under the hood, inside the cab, all around the truck and the trailer, the coupling and the brakes. Mark each item, write down defects, and don't drive until a safety defect is fixed.
A pre-trip inspection is the driver's last chance to find a flat tire, a leak or a dead light before the road finds it. Federal rule 49 CFR 396.13 has drivers be satisfied the vehicle is in safe condition before driving and review the last vehicle inspection report; this checklist is how most fleets make that check every morning.
The pre-trip is a different form from the DVIR. The DVIR is the written report at the end of the day; the pre-trip happens before you leave. Use both: the pre-trip catches what happened overnight, the DVIR passes defects to the shop.
Pre-trip inspection
Fields: Driver · Date and time · Truck / tractor no. · Odometer (miles) · Trailer no(s). · Location
Engine compartment
- Oil, coolant and power steering fluid levels
- Leaks under the hood and under the truck
- Belts and hoses
- Air compressor and alternator mounts
- Steering box and linkage
In the cab
- Gauges and warning lights after start-up
- Air pressure builds and holds; low-air warning works
- Parking brake and service brake test
- Horn, wipers and washers, defroster
- Mirrors and windshield
- Seat belt
- Emergency equipment: fire extinguisher, triangles, spare fuses
Lights and reflectors
- Headlights, high beams, clearance and marker lights
- Turn signals and four-way flashers
- Brake and tail lights
- Reflectors and reflective tape
Tires, wheels and brakes
- Tire tread, inflation, cuts and bulges
- Lug nuts present and tight; no rust streaks
- Rims and hubs: cracks, leaks
- Brake chambers, slack adjusters and hoses
- Suspension: springs, airbags, mounts
Coupling and trailer
- Fifth wheel locked, jaws closed on the kingpin, no gap
- Air and electrical lines connected, not chafing
- Landing gear up and handle stowed
- Trailer doors, tie-downs and cargo secured
- Trailer lights, tires and mud flaps
Fill it in the right way
- Start with the last DVIR: read any defects and check they were repaired or certified.
- Walk around with the engine off: fluids, leaks, belts, tires, wheels and coupling.
- Start the engine and check gauges, warning lights and air pressure, then test the brakes.
- Turn on all lights and walk around again to check each one.
- Mark every item, write down defects and report them before driving.
- Don't drive if a defect affects brakes, steering, tires, lights or coupling.
Tips
- Do the walk-around in the same order every time; it's how drivers stop skipping items.
- Use a reflection or a helper to check brake lights.
- Write where a defect is ("right rear trailer tandem, inside tire"), so the shop doesn't have to look for it.
- Patterns matter: the same defect on the same truck week after week is a maintenance problem.
Do it in FleetZap
- Put a QR label on each truck and trailer; the driver scans it to do the check on a phone without an account.
- Failing an item opens a repair work order for the shop and notifies the right people.
- An odometer entered on the check updates the truck's meter, which drives mileage-based PM.
- Checklists can include pass/fail, reading, photo and signature steps, with required steps that block closing.
- FleetZap records checks and repairs; it doesn't certify compliance.
Sources
FleetZap Maintenance
Work orders, PM, parts, compliance, assets and KPIs. Explore FleetZap Maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pre-trip inspection?
A driver's check of a truck before driving it: engine compartment, cab, lights, tires, brakes, coupling and trailer. Federal rules have drivers be satisfied the vehicle is safe and review the last inspection report first.
Is a pre-trip inspection the same as a DVIR?
No. The DVIR (49 CFR 396.11) is the written report at the end of the day's work. The pre-trip is the check before driving (396.13). Most fleets use a form for both.
How long should a pre-trip take?
Long enough to check every item properly. A quick glance misses the things that cause breakdowns and roadside violations.
What if I find a defect?
Report it before driving. Don't drive the truck if the defect affects safe operation until it's repaired.