Driver Vehicle Standards Agency
Youre responsible for making sure your vehicle is safe to drive.
Carry out a walkaround check of the vehicle before your journey to make sure its safe. Report any defects in writing to the person in charge of sorting out vehicle defects in your organisation.
The police and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) officers can stop you to do checks on your vehicles.
Officers can stop you from driving until you fix any problems they find, or they can issue you with a fine.
If youre a transport manager or vehicle operator, read guidance about how to make walkaround checks part of your processes for keeping your vehicles safe to drive.
Download the diagram
You can download a diagram to remind you of the main things to check.
Check from the drivers seat
1. Front view (mirrors, cameras, glass, and visibility)
Check that all mirrors are in place and not:
- damaged or missing glass
- covered up
- insecure
Check that the windscreen is not:
- cracked
- scratched
- discoloured
Check that the windscreen and front side windows are not excessively tinted.
Check that no objects get in the way of your front view.
As a general rule, there should be nothing in the swept area of the windscreen wipers.
As long as they do not seriously block your view of the road, you can have some official stickers and road safety items, such as an operator licence disc.
If you use a camera system instead of a mirror, check that it works and the view is correct.
2. Windscreen wipers and washers
Make sure the windscreen wipers work. Check that they are not:
- missing
- damaged or worn
Make sure the windscreen washer is working.
3. Warning lamps
Check that these work correctly:
- instruments
- gauges
- dashboard warning lamps, including the anti-lock braking system (ABS), full headlamp and parking brake
4. Steering
Check that the steering wheel:
- moves properly and that the power-assisted steering works correctly
- has no excessive play
- does not jam
Check that theres no excessive lift or movement in the steering column.
5. Horn
Check that the horn works and is easily accessible from the drivers seat.
6. Brake and air build-up
Check that:
- the air builds up correctly
- the warning system works
- there are no air leaks
- the footwell is clear
- the service brake works
- the parking brake works
- the service brake pedal does not have excessive side play or missing, loose or incomplete anti-slip tread
7. Height marker
Check the height displayed on the vehicle height marker in the cab.
8. Electronic ticket machine
Check that the equipment is operating correctly.
9. Drivers seat belt and cab interior
Check that the drivers seat belt:
- does not have any cuts, damage or fraying that may stop it from working
- stay secure when you plug them in
- retract against you when fitted, and fully retract when you take them off
Check that
Check inside the vehicle
10. Doors and exits
Check that doors and emergency exits:
- work correctly
- are secure when shut
- open fully
Check that there are visible emergency exit markings and that the lights work.
11. Accessibility equipment
If your vehicle is covered by Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations, you must check that these accessibility features are in good condition:
- the wheelchair space and its safety features
- the boarding device for wheelchair users
- priority seats
- handrails
- colour contrasting features such as handrails and steps
You must also make sure you know how these features work.
12. Seats and seat belts
Check that seats are secure, not damaged.
If seats are designed to retract automatically when not in use, make sure they retract correctly.
If there are seatbelts, check that they:
- do not have any cuts, damage or fraying that may stop them from working
- stay secure when you plug them in
- retract against you when fitted, and fully retract when you take them off
13. Communication with the driver
Check that:
- bell pushes work and make a sound when you push them
- signs that show your vehicle is going to stop work
- signs that show the route and destination work
14. Heating and ventilation
Check that:
- forced-air ventilation systems work, if your vehicle has them
- at least half of the ventilation system works, if your vehicle does not have forced-air ventilation
- ventilators, windows and roof hatches are secure
- de-mister equipment works
15. Emergency exit hammer
If your vehicle has glass emergency exits that need a hammer to break, check that the hammer is present and easy to access.
16. Fire extinguisher
Check that the fire extinguisher is the correct type. It must
- contain water or foam
- be marked BS 5423 or EN3
- have a minimum fire rating of at least 8A or 21B
Check that the fire extinguisher is:
- easy to access
- in good condition
- not discharged
17. First aid kit
Vehicles need a first aid kit if they are a bus with:
- 16 or more passenger seats (except local services)
- 9 to 16 passenger seats first used from 1 April 1988
Check that the first aid kit is:
- present
- in good condition
- easy to access
18. Body interior
Check that:
- exits are not obstructed
- nothing that a passenger may walk on will collapse or is defective or insecure
- retractable steps work correctly
- engine interior covers are present and do not allow fumes to enter the passenger compa