Prepare goods vehicles for driving

This standard is about preparing goods vehicles for driving and checking them before driving on public roads. It covers the physical checks that a driver has to make on the vehicle, and the documentation they are required to complete to comply with current legal and organisational requirements, before the start of each driving duty. 

It also includes the requirement for the driver to check that the relevant legal documentation is in place for the goods vehicle and driver.

This standard is relevant to all drivers who prepare goods vehicles as part of their job role.

1    maintain the health and safety of yourself and others at all times, in line with the relevant legislation and organisational requirements
2    assess the risks associated with the work before starting and throughout the activity, and take the required action to minimise or report risks in line with organisational procedures
3    confirm that the required personal protective equipment (PPE) for the work being carried out is worn at all times in line with organisational procedures
4    confirm that the relevant training has been received to carry out the work, recognise the limits of your competence and seek access to further training where required.
5    follow the organisational procedures for obtaining and holding the keys of goods vehicles
6     insert the driver’s card into the goods vehicle, where this is a requirement, to record all non-driving activities in line with legal requirements
7     prepare the goods vehicle for driving by carrying out checks to maintain the safety of the vehicle in line with Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) guidelines and organisational requirements
8     carry out all required vehicle checks in accordance with legal, organisational and manufacturer requirements, confirming that the vehicle is safe, roadworthy and compliant prior to use, following the required reporting format
9     check that all vehicle systems, controls and instruments are working, and that the goods vehicle is roadworthy in line with legal and organisational requirements
10   check that the goods vehicle has the required amount of fuel, battery charge, additives, oil, water and other fluids for safe road operations, and top up where required
11   check that ancillary equipment, if fitted or supplied, is in working order in line with manufacturer’s requirements and organisational procedures
12   check that all required legal documentation is in place for driver, vehicle and trailer, if used 
13    adjust the goods vehicle steering wheel, mirrors and seat for maximum control, observation, and comfort
14   secure loose items to ensure cab interiors are secure and safe for road operations
15    maintain effective communication with colleagues when carrying out the work
16    take the required action when any issues or faults with the goods vehicle are identified, whether new or previously reported, following organisational procedures
17   record goods vehicle checks in line with organisational procedures
18    carry out the work in accordance with approved procedures and practices and in compliance with the relevant statutory, organisational and other requirements relating to preparing goods vehicles for driving

1    your responsibilities under the relevant health and safety legislation and organisational requirements
2    how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the work being carried out, and suitable control measures and Safe Systems of Work (SSoW) that can be put in place to reduce risks
3    the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be worn when preparing goods vehicles for driving
4    the company security procedures for obtaining and holding goods vehicle keys and the importance of following these
5    the responsibilities of the driver for the security of the goods vehicle and        load, including in relation to theft and people smuggling
6    the daily checks that drivers are required to carry out to maintain the safety of goods vehicles, and trailers where used, in accordance with legal, organisational and manufacturer requirements, and the consequences of not completing these daily checks
7    how to check vehicle systems, controls and instruments, when preparing the goods vehicle for driving and where to find the relevant information
8    the different types of fuel, additives, oil, water and other fluid requirements for the goods vehicle being driven and how to top these up
9    how to refuel or charge the goods vehicle
10  the relevant legal documents that must be in place before the goods vehicle is driven
11  the importance of adjusting the steering wheel, mirrors and seat to suit the driver and maximise control, observation and comfort
12  the roles and responsibilities of colleagues and why it is important to maintain effective communication with colleagues when carrying out your work
13   how to identify potential electrical or mechanical problems with the goods vehicle and use basic fault-finding techniques to diagnose the problem
14   the issues and faults that can be resolved by the driver
15   the organisational procedures for reporting issues or faults and how to obtain information on previously reported problems
16   the organisational procedures for the official release of the goods vehicle for driving
17   the relevant legal documents your organisation requires you to complete during the preparation process, and carry with you in the goods vehicle
18   the approved procedures and practices, statutory, organisational and other requirements relating to preparing goods vehicles for driving

Controls: accelerator, clutch, footbrake, handbrake, steering wheel, gears, indicators, lights, windscreen wipers, demisters, heating and ventilation, Power Take Off (PTO), differential lock

Goods vehicle: the vehicle you normally drive, including a trailer when connected, and ancillary equipment

Health and safety includes mental and physical wellbeing

Instruments: gauges, warning lights, displays, audible alerts, tachograph, telematics, tyre-pressure indicators, coolant levels, oil levels, air pressure, charge levels

Legal documentation: insurance, road tax, vehicle plate, trailer plate, vehicle MOT test certificate, trailer MOT test certificate, transport operator's licence, goods vehicle driver’s licence

Load could include: containers; sealed loads or trailers; palletised goods; cages; individual boxes/packages; casks/kegs; bulk materials; liquids, powders or grains; food; temperature-controlled goods; livestock; hazardous goods; vehicles, plant or machinery; timber; customer’s removal goods; goods for return/repair etc

Organisation: the company you drive for or your own business

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) could include: high-visibility clothing, hard hats, protective clothing, eye protection, masks, gloves, safety footwear

Safe System of Work (SSoW) is a method of work that puts in place control measures arising from a risk assessment, in order to manage identified hazards, which are broken down into four elements: safe person; safe equipment; safe place; and safe practice.

Statutory, organisational and other requirements: 

• Driving, vehicle and transport regulations
• Machinery and equipment regulations
• Workplace safety regulations
• Working time regulations
• Codes of practice
• Organisational requirements
• Environmental, ethical and social considerations

Systems: ignition, electrical, lights, brakes, transmission, engine, fuel, tyres, trailer coupling, information technology, digital, communications and telemetry systems, ancillary equipment