Chris Jennings

The Department of Transport require a daily walkround check to be carried out by the driver before any PCV is used each day. This is a legal requirement and failure to comply can result in prosecution, points on your licence and possible disqualification.

A thorough Daily Walkround check of a PCV will involve checking the following…

• Excise and operator’s licence
• Entrance/exit doors, emergency exits
• All exterior lights
• Dangerous or protruding body damage
• Access flaps and lockers
• Emergency engine stop
• Wheel nuts and tyres
• Oil and fuel leaks/ filler cap security
• All interior lights
• Fire extinguisher
• Bell pushes and grab rails
• Seats and frames (including driver’s)
• Seat belts (where applicable)
• Floor and staircase covering
• Emergency door buzzers and hammers
• Windscreen, wipers and washers
• Horn and warning buzzers
• Offensive graffiti
• Foot brake/ air leaks pedal rubber
• Excessive exhaust emission

All defects should be reported to the engineering department and where necessary rectified before entering on the road.

Safety is paramount in the transport industry.

As a PCV Operator, the need for a thorough daily ‘top side check‘ are paramount to ensure the vehicle being taken out on the road is roadworthy.

The onus lies with the first driver taking the vehicle out, they are the one accountable for carrying out the ‘walkaround check‘. With PCV vehicles picking up children, students, OAPs, families, mothers with young babies and disabled people on a regular basis, the need for safety is crucial.

Professional PCV drivers when completing their ‘first use check‘ can get things remedied prior to entering service on the road, be it a bulb out, seat loose, faulty wiper or even a bell push not working.

Many companies I have worked closely with have implemented a good, routine ‘walkaround check’. I’ve seen at first hand drivers take a real pride in ensuring their vehicle is 100% roadworthy which in turn passes onto the passengers.

Also if all drivers adopt a thorough vehicle check, defects on vehicles can be rectified as soon as they arise to ensure a high and continued vehicle standard.

The Department of Transport and VoSA I know share this belief and regularly spot check vehicles to ensure this is happening.