Introduction
Every operator talks about compliance, but the truth is that most roadside prohibitions come down to one thing: poor or rushed daily walkaround checks. These few minutes at the start of a shift can be the difference between a safe journey and a costly prohibition, DVSA intervention, or even an accident.
A Real-World Example
Imagine this scenario: a driver assumes their vehicle is fine and skips a proper check. Later that day, the lorry is pulled over at a DVSA check site. The officer spots a bald tyre, something that would have been picked up immediately during a thorough check. The result? An immediate prohibition, a hit to the company’s OCRS score, and potential fines.
What should have taken 15 minutes in the yard could now cost the operator thousands in downtime, reputational damage, and future compliance scrutiny.
What the Law Says
The law is unambiguous:
- Drivers must complete a walkaround check before taking a vehicle on the road.
- This is a legal duty under the Road Traffic Act.
- Traffic Commissioners expect operators to keep accurate, accessible records of these checks.
- Failure to comply can result in prohibitions, fines, and calls to Public Inquiry.
Best Practice for Operators
If you want to avoid unnecessary risk, here’s how to strengthen your daily walkaround process:
✅ Train drivers thoroughly in what to check and why.
✅ Provide a structured checklist (paper-based or digital).
✅ Randomly audit completed checks to ensure they’re genuine.
✅ Act quickly on reported defects – never ignore them.
✅ Reinforce the message: a rushed check isn’t a check at all.
Final Thoughts
Walkaround checks aren’t just a tick-box exercise – they’re your first line of defence against compliance failures and serious accidents.
👉 If you’re not confident your team is carrying out checks to the right standard, we can help with training, checklists, and compliance systems designed to protect your operator’s licence.
📞 Contact LDP Transport Consultancy today to keep your fleet safe and audit-ready.
