Home » FORS Standard » Version 7.1 » 3. Bronze accreditation » 3.2 Vehicles » V2 Daily walkaround checks
FORS Logo Bronze

V2 Daily walkaround checks

Quick links

Evidence required

Requirement

To check vehicles, trailers and specialist equipment for defects immediately before they are used.

Purpose

To ensure that all vehicles, trailers and specialist equipment operate on the roads safely, within the law and with consideration of the environment.

Demonstration

FORS Operators shall have a daily walkaround check and defect reporting procedure in place for all vehicles, trailers and specialist equipment. This shall include the undertaking of walkaround checks by drivers before vehicles are used on the road each day, with a minimum of one check within each 24 hours.

The walkaround check procedure shall include an inspection of the whole vehicle, trailer and any specialist equipment. In particular, the walkaround check shall cover the serviceability of:

  • Wheels and tyres
  • Brakes and steering
  • Lights and markers
  • Mirrors and window glass
  • Obstructions to driver vision
  • Bodywork condition
  • Fluid levels and any leakages
  • Vehicle safety features

Where relevant, the walkaround check shall also cover any vehicle specific components such as:

  • The load and any load restraint systems such as lashing points, anchor points, bulkheads and curtains
  • Carrying equipment such as tanks, hoppers, mixers and refrigeration units
  • Lifting equipment such as cranes, winches, skip loaders, tipping bodies and tail lifts
  • Accessibility equipment such as ramps, lifts, rails and anchors
  • Trailer couplings and service connections
  • Charging cables or fuelling equipment for alternatively fuelled vehicles

Any defects shall be recorded and reported if they are found during:

  • The daily walkaround check
  • While the vehicle is in use
  • On return to the operating centre

The details recorded shall include:

  • Vehicle registration mark
  • Vehicle identification number for trailers, where relevant
  • Date
  • Driver’s name
  • Details of the defect or symptom
  • Who the defect was reported to

Defects that affect roadworthiness or safety shall be repaired before the vehicle, trailer or specialist equipment is used on the road.

Drivers who are expected to repair minor defects, such as light bulb or fuse replacement, shall be competent to undertake this task.

Where there is a change in vehicle or trailer during the day, the driver taking charge should conduct their own walkaround check.

If it is unsafe to conduct a walkaround check, there shall be a defect reporting system in place, that details the initial walkaround check and any defects reported during the day for the various drivers of a particular vehicle.

Drivers shall be made aware of their legal responsibilities regarding vehicle condition and the procedures for reporting defects.

The procedure, records and data relevant to walkaround checks and defect reporting shall be:

Evidence required

A documented daily walkaround checks procedure.

Defect reporting system in place that includes an inspection of the whole vehicle and trailer including enhanced vehicle safety features and any vehicle specific components;

If drivers are expected to repair minor defects, evidence that they are competent to undertake the task, i.e. training/competence records.

14 weeks of nill defect records and 15 months of defect reporting and rectification records for all fleet vehicles in scope of FORS.

Tips: Review PMI records for driver‑detectable defects and cross‑reference with daily walkaround checks; investigate discrepancies, provide additional driver training where required, and ensure all actions are documented.

Back to top