Keep your drivers and vehicles safe with truck inspection checklists

Have you got a supply chain business? Then, it’s important to have reliable and safe transportation to deliver goods to customers efficiently and ethically. 

This means having well-maintained and working vehicles on your side. Why?  Firstly, your goods need to arrive in one piece, to make your sales and customers happy. Secondly, your drivers need to be kept safe at all times from accidents and potential dangers. An added benefit to this, is that they will know you care about their welfare, making them more motivated and productive at work.

But wait, there’s more.

With safe and roadworthy vehicles, you can safeguard your company from non-compliance on the roads. And last but not least –  save money, by fixing problems before they become costly, and affect your profits and vehicle uptime. 

We know that having effective preventative maintenance is the biggest part of this puzzle, but you can also use daily truck inspection lists to help keep your vehicles in peak condition. 

Let’s unpack this more. 

Spot vehicle faults in real time with truck inspection lists

A daily truck inspection list is a checklist that helps businesses inspect specific aspects of their vehicles to pinpoint faults with parts and wear and tear, to avoid excessive vehicle damage. There are many types of checklists out there. However, with INControl’s 4PL software solution, this process is easy. You can perform your checks directly on the system, where the data will be stored safely, and you can download reports on your inspections. This helps you keep a record of checklists and monitor trends in your vehicle inspections, to make maintenance decisions and assess the quality of your vehicles 24/7.

Every fleet is different, which is why you should be able to tailor the checklist to your business requirements, so you can maintain your trucks properly. INControl can configure your checklist for you, so you’re doing the appropriate checks that you specifically need. 

Another point to note is that some checks can be done every few months or when you reach a certain mileage, but there are certain ones that should be done daily. 

As a starting point, here are some areas your checklist should cover to keep your fleet healthy, no matter when you perform them. 

What to include in your truck inspection checklist

Engine and fuel system

Listen for any strange noises coming from the engine, such as rattles, and look for evidence of leaks and cracks. Also, check fuel levels and exterior gas caps.

Trailer

Check the trailer portion of the vehicle for any signs of damage as well, such as scrapes in the doors, signs of vandalism, dents or scratches along the side of the vehicle, loose hubcaps, or body stripping. 

Light checks

Inspect the lights around the entire vehicle including high beams, low beams, fog lights, tail lights, turn signals, and emergency flashers – especially important for nighttime driving.  

In-cab inspection

Check that the windshield and side mirrors are clean and not cracked. Also, see if the horn and seatbelts work properly. 

Brake systems

The brakes are one of the most important systems in a truck, to keep your drivers and others safe.  Gently apply the brakes when you leave the garage or driveway to ensure they are working properly. Then, firmly apply pressure to the brakes to test the ABS. 

Wheels and tyres

Before you hit the road, take a walk around the truck and perform a visual inspection of the wheels and tyres. Check that your tyres are properly inflated and there is no sign of damage and unusual wear. Always make sure that your spare tyre(s) are available and are in good condition.

Driver and vehicle documents

Make sure that your drivers have all the necessary paperwork and documentation on hand for legal and liability reasons. These include a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.

Do you need a truck checklist?

Contact INControl to create powerful vehicle inspections in your fleet, so you can keep your vehicles, cargo, and drivers safe – to manage your supply chain business effectively.