The HGV Driver's Pre-Drive Tyre Inspection Checklist

Your Legal Obligation to Check Tyres Before Driving

UK law requires HGV drivers to satisfy themselves that their vehicle is roadworthy before commencing each journey. The DVSA's guide to daily walkaround checks specifically identifies tyres as a key inspection item. Failing to conduct proper pre-drive checks — and driving a vehicle with defective tyres as a result — can result in a fixed penalty notice, points on your licence, and potential prosecution. More importantly, it can result in a tyre failure that causes a serious accident. The pre-drive check is not bureaucracy — it is a genuine life-safety procedure.

The Complete Tyre Inspection Checklist

Tyre Pressure: Check pressure on all tyres (including spare if applicable) using a calibrated gauge before the vehicle has moved (cold check). Compare against the vehicle specification placard. Record any tyre that is more than 10% below specification.
Tread Depth: Visual inspection of tread depth on all tyres — look for the tread wear indicators moulded into the grooves. Use a tread depth gauge on any tyre that looks low. Record any tyre below 3mm for immediate attention.
Sidewall Inspection: Walk around the entire vehicle inspecting each sidewall for cuts, bulges, cracking, or abrasion damage. Pay particular attention to the inner sidewalls of twin-rear tyres which are difficult to see without crouching.
Valve Caps: Check all valve caps are present and secure. A missing valve cap is a small issue that can become a major one — debris in an uncapped valve can cause a slow puncture.
Embedded Objects: Look for any screws, nails, glass, or other objects embedded in the tread of any tyre. Do not remove — note and report to your transport manager.
Wheel Nut Check: Look for any security markings (paint marks across wheel nuts) that have moved, indicating possible loose wheel nuts — a serious safety issue requiring immediate attention.

Recording and Reporting Defects

All defects found during a pre-drive tyre inspection must be recorded on the driver's daily walkaround check sheet and reported to the transport manager or maintenance supervisor before the vehicle departs. Defects that affect roadworthiness — including tyres below legal tread depth, bulged sidewalls, or significantly low pressure — must prevent the vehicle from operating until rectified. The completed check sheet should be retained as part of the vehicle's maintenance record for at least 15 months.