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Trucks: the checks to do every morning before setting off
CalosGroup editorial team · Published on 3 November 2026
A ten-minute walk-around: lights, tyres, brakes, leaks, load and tachograph. The list to keep in the cab.
Ten minutes of checks before setting off avoid a breakdown on the road, a fine at a roadside check and often an accident. It is best to do them always in the same order, walking around the vehicle.
Why every day
A leaking tyre, a blown bulb or a loose load strap give no warning. At roadside checks they are among the most common faults, along with driving times and tachograph issues.
Write it down
If you find a fault, write it down and report it before leaving: a vehicle with a problem with the brakes or tyres must not go out.
The steps
- Look under the vehicle before getting in: stains of oil, diesel, coolant, or air hissing.
- Check the levels: engine oil, coolant, AdBlue, screen wash.
- Switch on all the lights and walk around: dipped and main beam, indicators, brake lights, side and marker lights.
- Look at the tyres: pressure by eye, cuts, bulges, tread; check that all the wheel nuts are there.
- Check brakes and air: system pressure, draining the tanks if required, test the parking brake.
- Check mirrors, wipers and windscreen.
- Check the load: anchorages, straps, side panels and tarpaulins closed.
- Insert your card in the tachograph and check you have documents and safety equipment on board.
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