21/09/2025
NEW Guidance for Walkaround Checks
GOV.CO.UK has published fresh advice for ‘Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain’ - which is essentially anyone who works with vehicles, fleets etc. We’ve summarised some of the content below:
It is a legal duty and critical safeguard for public safety to conduct a Walkaround Check. Whether operating Heavy Goods Vehicles or Public Service Vehicles, these checks ensure vehicles are road-worthy before entering public roads. Additional inspections may be needed for vehicles used off-road, older models, or those with past defects.
Why this matters:
- Helps prevent avoidable accidents and injuries
- Reduces the risk of roadside prohibitions from authorities like DVSA or the police
- Minimises vehicle downtime and supports public protection
- Demonstrates compliance with obligations to Traffic Commissioners
Importantly, these checks count as working time, and drivers must be given sufficient time to complete them.
Operators and Transport Managers are responsible for training staff, implementing robust defect-reporting systems, and ensuring complete audit trails from defect identification to re-inspection. Failure to comply can lead to regulatory actions including licence curtailment, penalties, and damage to professional reputation.
This is invaluable guidance. We would recommend reading the entire webpage, a link to which can be found in our comments.
In commercial transport, where time pressures are high and responsibilities wide-ranging, routine tasks can sometimes be rushed or overlooked.
