Looking after you and your company’s HGV is more than just a reasonable expectation, it’s also a legal requirement. These checks involve interior and exterior inspections and are regularly carried out to make sure that they’re road-worthy and in tip-top condition. But, if you don’t know what to inspect, don’t worry, the HGV safety inspection checklist makes everything pretty straightforward.
If you’re looking for quality HGVs for sale, Smith Bros can certainly help you out. With over 50 years of industry experience under our belts, we know a thing or two about trucks, from tractor units to tippers, with our expert team of specialists available to assist you with your purchase and effortlessly optimise your business.
The HGV safety inspection checklist
One of the most important documents for any HGV owner should be the DVSA HGV inspection manual. This handbook details everything you need to know about the inspection itself, including a step-by-step checklist that takes you through how to prepare your vehicle for an evaluation, how to carry it out and how to look after your vehicle going forward.
Detailed and comprehensive, the inspection manual contains 74 mandatory inspections that must be recorded, documented and carried out by a qualified mechanic. These checks include an interior and exterior inspection.
Interior checks
Cab safety equipment: The maintenance of safety features such as seatbelts, airbags and door locks. Seatbelts must not be damaged and must be securely fitted to the seat. Meanwhile, airbags must be in perfect working order. A missing or disconnected airbag is considered a major fault in the inspection.
Seats: No matter what kind of vehicle you’re after, a crane truck or a flatbed for sale, interior safety and comfort shouldn’t be ignored. Seats must be structurally sound and should be perfectly fitted without any defects. Adjustment mechanisms must also be in working order.
Mirrors: Mirrors should be spotless of long-term damage or decay. There should be the right number of mirrors and the right types, with the brackets that fit the mirror to the cab being in perfect condition.
Dashboard features: The horn must be operational, easily accessible to the driver and loud enough for other road users to hear. The speedometer and other dials must be perfectly readable without any obstruction. They should also be in great working order and must also illuminate when necessary.
Exterior checks
Wheels: It is vital that the health of your wheels and tyres is maintained, as failure to do so will detriment your HGV’s fuel efficiency. Check for any damage to the wheel itself, including any visible elongation of a stud hole. You should also ensure that the tyres are of the correct size and have no major wear, bulges, or tears.
Suspension: Evaluating your vehicle’s suspension is an essential part of the HGV safety inspection checklist. Suspension should be checked regularly for fracturing or cracking, which would be considered a major issue if discovered. Similarly, if the suspension looked insecure to the point where detachment is likely to occur, this should be immediately addressed.
Brake System: Particularly for HGVs, regular brake maintenance is crucial as wear and tear is very common. The entirety of the braking mechanism should be checked, including the brake drums, pipes and reservoir, with each section being evaluated for corrosion, misplacement, wear and general damage.
Lamps: As well as making sure all lamps, including headlights, rear fog lamps and brake lights are clean and functional, they should also be tested for long-term safety. During the check, it must be ensured that lamps are in the correct position and are not likely to become detached, they must also be showing the correct colour.
Transmission: Due to the sheer weight and power needed for HGV haulage, transmission systems can experience more strain and damage over time. Flange bolts should be evaluated to make sure they are secure. In addition, they must be checked for damage and replaced if necessary.
Dealing with HGV defects
Once your HGV safety inspection checklist has been completed, all defects must be recorded and reported, and the necessary corrective action should be taken. If a dangerous defect that poses a serious safety risk is reported, the vehicle must not be driven until the fault is fixed. Daily walkarounds, which involve a thorough inspection of your vehicle, should be carried out to make sure that any minor issues are closely monitored, ensuring the maintenance of your fleet.
Why are HGV safety inspections necessary?
HGV safety inspections are not merely a tick-box exercise, they are a mandatory legal assessment that guarantees the safety of a vehicle for the driver. Legally required by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) of the UK, these checks ensure compliance with the law and could result in serious consequences if they are not followed. Penalties for non-compliance could include:
Fines.
A suspension of a fleet licence if there is a flagrant lack of communication and compliance.
Want vehicles that have the HGV safety inspection checklist ticked off?
Looking for quality trucks that are ready to drive? At Smith Bros, we pride ourselves on our vast selection of second-hand trucks for sale. Sold by our team of specialists who can provide their own expertise to inform your purchase, we are a provider who has been providing large businesses and independent companies with excellent vehicles for over 50 years.
No matter what kind of vehicle you’re looking for, Smith Bros can source it for you, with our wide network of stockists available to contact if you can’t find the truck you’re looking for on our site. Ready to optimise your business? Contact us today to learn more about our range of versatile and reliable trucks that will take your business to the next level.
