Truck pre-start checklist
Every item on the NHVR heavy vehicle daily check, what counts as a fault, and how to keep a signed record of each check.
The short answer
The NHVR daily check covers 8 areas: brakes, couplings, wheels, tyres and hubs, structure and body condition, lights and reflectors, mirrors, windscreens and windows, engine, driveline and exhaust. Check each before the first trip of the day, and don't drive with a fault until it's fixed.
Brakes
- Brake failure indicators are operational
- Pressure/vacuum gauges are operational
- Air tank drain valves are operational
Faults to look for
- Pressure/vacuum gauge indicator shows a failure
- Pressure, vacuum or low level warning devices or gauges are not operating
- Air reservoir drain valves are not operational
Couplings
- Fifth wheel/ballrace and associated mountings are secure
- Towbar, drawbar and couplings are securely mounted
- Trailer coupling is secure (if applicable)
- Kingpin is correctly engaged in fifth wheel jaws
- All air-lines, electrical connectors and any ABS/EBS connectors are correctly attached to trailer (if applicable)
Faults to look for
- The fifth wheel pivot bracket pin/s or bushes are missing or insecure
- Any towing attachment, any mounting bolts, fasteners or weld beads are loose, cracked, broken or extensively corroded
- The towbar is not securely mounted or is bent or cracked
Wheels, tyres and hubs
- Tyres are correctly inflated
- Condition and depth of the tyre tread
- Wheels are secure
Faults to look for
- A tyre does not have at least 1.5 mm tread depth in a continuous band which runs around the whole circumference of the tyre and extends across at least 75% of the width of the tyre
- A tyre (including sidewalls) has deep cuts, chunking, bumps, bulges, exposed cords or other signs of carcass failure
- Dual tyres contact each other
- Any wheel has missing, cracked or broken wheel nuts, studs or bolts
- Hub seals are leaking
Structure and body condition
- Panels and readily visible structures are secure
- Horn is operational
Faults to look for
- Any panels, structures, chassis or sub-frame have visible signs of advanced rust or are cracked, distorted, sagging, broken or loose
- The horn is not operational, or is not a single tone, or is not loud enough to warn other road users
Lights and reflectors
- Lights, including the clearance lights, are operational
- Reflectors and lenses are present and in good condition (not faded, broken or damaged)
Faults to look for
- The headlights, direction indicator lights, brake lights, tail lights, reversing lights or clearance lights are damaged or not operational
- For an LED type light, more than 30% of the individual LEDs do not function (if a lamp has 10 LEDs, at least 7 must be working)
Mirrors
- Mirrors are present, in good condition, secure and appropriately adjusted
Faults to look for
- Any reflective surface of a rear view mirror has a missing section, is cracked, is deteriorated reducing the view to the rear of the vehicle or is obscured
Windscreens and windows
- Windows are operational
- Wipers and windscreen washers are functioning to ensure a clear forward vision
Faults to look for
- The primary vision area (swept by the wipers) is damaged (such as scoring, sandblasting or severe discolouration) so that it interferes with the driver’s view
- The primary vision area has a bullseye or star fracture over 16 mm in diameter, a hairline crack over 30 mm long, or a crack from the edge of the windscreen over 75 mm long
Engine, driveline and exhaust
- No fluid is leaking (oil, fuel, water, refrigerant/coolant, hydraulic fluid, brake fluid or other) from the vehicle (excluding condensation from air conditioning or the refrigeration system)
Faults to look for
- Oil leaks from the engine, gearbox, differential, brake system, power steering or any joint or seal onto brake friction surfaces, the exhaust system or the road surface
Checklist text from the NHVR guide, used under CC BY-SA 3.0 AU.
Common questions
Is a daily pre-start check required?
Drivers must make sure the vehicle is safe before driving it. A daily check is the usual way to show that, and many operators require it.
What does the NHVR daily check cover?
brakes, couplings, wheels, tyres and hubs, structure and body condition, lights and reflectors, mirrors, windscreens and windows, engine, driveline and exhaust, plus extra items for electric and gas-powered vehicles.
What if I find a fault?
Do not drive the vehicle until the fault is fixed or assessed as safe by someone competent. Record the fault and report it.
Sources
- NHVR — Creating heavy vehicle daily checks (CC BY-SA 3.0 AU) — checked 2026-09-29
A guide, not legal advice. Your permit, notice, registration or accreditation can set different limits; check them before you rely on a figure here.