PM checklist
Daily Truck Inspection Checklist
A daily checklist helps drivers catch obvious defects before dispatch and creates a record for follow-up work.
If this checklist creates repair items, record them in the maintenance log template and use the PM schedule generator to plan the next due mileage.
Printable Checklist
| Item | What to check | Why it matters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walkaround leak check | Look under engine, transmission, axles, tanks, DEF system, and wheel ends before moving. | Fresh leaks are easier to spot before the truck is parked over other stains. | Use location and fluid color, not just 'leak'. |
| Lights and reflectors | Confirm headlights, high beams, markers, turn signals, brake lights, flashers, and trailer lights. | Lighting defects are visible, common, and easy to document. | Carry lamp or pigtail notes separately from repaired items. |
| Tires and wheels | Check obvious pressure loss, cuts, exposed cord, lodged debris, lug nuts, hubs, and sidewalls. | Daily checks can prevent roadside tire events. | Write the tire position if something looks wrong. |
| Air pressure behavior | Observe warning lights, pressure build, air loss, and unusual purge behavior. | Air-system problems can become immediate dispatch blockers. | Do not guess at brake repairs from a walkaround. |
| Coupling | Check fifth wheel lock position, release handle, apron contact, kingpin area, air lines, and electrical cord. | Equipment swaps create coupling risk. | Recheck after yard moves when practical. |
How Often to Use This Checklist
Use before dispatch and after a trip when defects are noticed.
Common Mistakes
- Checking boxes without writing mileage, unit number, defect notes, and follow-up status.
- Treating a visual walkaround as a qualified mechanical inspection.
- Skipping records for small defects that later become repeated repair issues.
- Filing paper logs where drivers, dispatch, and maintenance cannot retrieve them quickly.
Records to Keep
- Completed checklist with date, odometer, driver or inspector name, and unit number.
- Defect correction notes, invoices, parts receipts, and photos when useful.
- PM due mileage, next inspection target, and any out-of-service decision notes.
Use the print button to print the checklist or save it as a PDF from the browser.
Related resources
Sources and Methodology
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Part 393 - Equipment safety rules used as a reference point for inspection-sensitive systems such as brakes, lamps, coupling devices, and tires.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Part 396 - Maintenance, inspection, repair, and recordkeeping requirements for motor carriers.
- Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports and Roadside Inspection Basics - Public FMCSA material used for inspection and recordkeeping context.