Free truck pre-start checklist
Free truck pre-start checklist (PDF-ready). Covers cab, engine, brakes, tyres, load restraint, safety and compliance. Download free.
Updated 3 May 2026
Truck Pre-Start Checklist
Daily pre-trip inspection | Rigid, articulated and B-double trucks
A - Cab Exterior
B - Engine and Mechanical
C - Tyres and Wheels
D - Brakes and Steering
E - Interior and Controls
F - Safety and Compliance
G - Trailer Checks (if applicable)
Driver Sign-off
Driver signature
Print name
Date & time
How to use: download the PDF, print or complete digitally on any device.
- PDF format, ready to print or fill on screen
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- Scan the asset’s QR tag with any phone
- Submitted forms can trigger alerts
- Photos on fails, audit-ready records
- Export responses, PDF reports with your logo
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These templates are free general guides provided as-is. They do not constitute legal, safety or compliance advice. You are responsible for ensuring any form meets your specific workplace obligations, industry standards and applicable regulations.
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Key takeaways
- The MapTrack truck pre-start checklist contains 58 checks across 7 sections. Sections covered: A - Cab Exterior, B - Engine and Mechanical, C - Tyres and Wheels, D - Brakes and Steering, E - Interior and Controls, F - Safety and Compliance, G - Trailer Checks (if applicable).
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Used by construction, mining and field service teams
What is a truck pre-start checklist?
A truck pre-start checklist (also called a truck pre-trip inspection form or daily truck inspection) is a structured list of tasks completed by the driver before a truck is driven. It confirms the truck is roadworthy, mechanically sound, and compliant before entering the road. Truck pre-starts are particularly important under Australia's Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations, which place legal responsibility on drivers, operators and fleet managers to ensure vehicles are safe before use. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) recognises documented pre-trip inspections as a key component of a Maintenance Management System (MMS) for heavy vehicles.
Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.
Benefits of using this truck pre-start checklist
- Driver safety: identify brake, tyre or steering defects before entering public roads.
- Regulatory compliance: meet NHVR, HVNL and Chain of Responsibility obligations.
- Load security: confirm load restraint equipment is present, in good condition and correctly applied.
- Prevent breakdowns: catch minor issues before they cause roadside failures or delays.
- Recordkeeping and audit trail: maintain inspection records for CoR investigations, insurance and maintenance planning.
- Consistent standards: all drivers follow the same procedure regardless of experience or shift.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise truck checklists in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
- Auto-schedule pre-start forms so operators are prompted before every shift.
- Flag overdue pre-starts on the dashboard so nothing leaves the yard unchecked.
- Link each pre-start to the asset record for a complete inspection history.
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What to include in a truck pre-start checklist
This truck pre-start checklist covers 8 key areas:
- Truck and driver details: fleet number, registration, make/model, odometer, driver name, licence class and number, date, time, route.
- Cab exterior: windscreen, mirrors, lights (headlights, indicators, brake, tail, clearance), cab body, steps, number plates, reflectors.
- Engine and mechanical: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid/air pressure, belts, hoses, battery, fuel, leaks, exhaust.
- Tyres and wheels: tread depth, cuts/bulges, pressure, wheel nuts, spare tyre, mudflaps.
- Brakes and steering: service brake feel, parking brake, ABS indicator, exhaust/engine brake (if fitted), steering free play.
- Interior and controls: seatbelt, horn, gauges and warning lights, reversing alarm/camera, two-way radio.
- Safety and compliance: fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle, load restraint equipment, speed limiter, registration, roadworthy.
- Trailer checks (if applicable): coupling secure, safety chains, trailer lights, trailer brakes, trailer tyres, load securing points.
How to use this truck pre-start checklist
- Complete truck and driver details at the top of the checklist.: Record the fleet number, registration, make, model, current odometer reading, your name, licence class and number, the date, time of inspection and the planned route or job. This information is essential for Chain of Responsibility traceability and links the inspection to a specific vehicle and driver for compliance records.
- Perform the walk-around: start at the cab exterior, work around the truck systematically, check the engine bay, then inspect each axle group (tyres, wheels, brakes). Mark Pass or Fail for each item.: Begin at the front left and walk clockwise. Check the windscreen for cracks, all lights for function, mirrors for position and condition, and number plates for legibility. Open the engine bay and check oil, coolant, brake fluid or air system, belts, hoses and the air filter indicator. At each axle, check tyre tread depth, tyre pressure, sidewall condition, wheel nut tightness, brake drum or disc condition and mudflap security. Mark Pass or Fail for every item on the form.
- If any item fails, especially brakes, tyres, steering or load restraint, do not drive the truck. Record the defect and report to your supervisor or fleet manager. Tag the vehicle out of service until repaired.: Safety-critical defects including any brake fault, steering deficiency, tyre below minimum tread depth, structural crack or non-functional headlights or brake lights must prevent the truck from being driven. Write a clear description of the fault in the defect section and notify the supervisor and maintenance team. Attach an out-of-service tag to the steering wheel or ignition key. Under HVNL, driving a defective heavy vehicle can result in infringement notices or prosecution for both the driver and operator.
- Complete the interior and compliance sections, then sign and date. File a copy per your CoR records requirements.: Check the seatbelt, horn, dash gauges, warning lights, reversing alarm and camera from the cab. Verify the fire extinguisher is charged with a current service tag, the first aid kit is stocked and in date, and a warning triangle is accessible. Confirm registration is current and any required load restraint equipment is in good condition. Sign and date the completed checklist, noting the time. File the form in the vehicle maintenance diary or submit digitally through MapTrack for automatic Chain of Responsibility recordkeeping.
In MapTrack, you can run digital pre-starts attached to each asset. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full truck pre-start checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
A truck pre-start inspection must be completed before the first trip of each day, or before each shift where multiple drivers use the same vehicle. Under NHVR guidelines, heavy vehicle operators are expected to conduct and document daily vehicle inspections. If the truck has had repairs, been idle for an extended period, or is used by a different driver, always complete a fresh inspection. Your company policy may also specify additional inspection requirements for specific routes, loads or operating conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:
- WHS Regulations 2017 (Part 5.1 Plant)
- Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) (Chapter 4 - Vehicle standards)
- HVNL Chain of Responsibility (COR) (Part 2.2)
- NHVR Maintenance Management System (MMS)
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Truck pre-start checklist preview
The numbers behind this truck pre-start checklist
Every figure below is sourced and dated, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without having to chase the original report.
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<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Truck pre-start checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Truck and driver details: fleet number, registration, make/model, odometer, driver name, licence class and number, date, time, route.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Cab exterior: windscreen, mirrors, lights (headlights, indicators, brake, tail, clearance), cab body, steps, number plates, reflectors.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Engine and mechanical: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid/air pressure, belts, hoses, battery, fuel, leaks, exhaust.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Tyres and wheels: tread depth, cuts/bulges, pressure, wheel nuts, spare tyre, mudflaps.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Brakes and steering: service brake feel, parking brake, ABS indicator, exhaust/engine brake (if fitted), steering free play.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Interior and controls: seatbelt, horn, gauges and warning lights, reversing alarm/camera, two-way radio.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/truck-pre-start-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Truck pre-start checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.
Cite this template
Writing about this topic? You’re welcome to quote this checklist. Here’s the wording to use so your readers can find the original.
The MapTrack truck pre-start checklist contains 58 checks across 7 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Truck pre-start checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/truck-pre-start-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Truck pre-start checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/truck-pre-start-checklist
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/truck-pre-start-checklist.
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