Guidance

Keeping commercial vehicles safe to drive (roadworthy)

How to keep heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and public service vehicles (PSVs) safe to drive, including daily checks, inspections, maintenance and record keeping.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Guide to maintaining roadworthiness: commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicles

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email govuk@dvsa-publishing.zendesk.com. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This guide explains the responsibilities and systems involved in keeping vehicles in a roadworthy condition, regardless of operating conditions, fleet size or vehicle type.

It includes guidance on:

  • daily checks and inspections
  • inspection and repair facilities
  • regular safety inspections
  • responsibilities for roadworthiness
  • monitoring

You cannot buy printed copies of the guide, but you’re allowed to print your own copies.

Drivers should use the HGV driver’s daily walkaround check and PSV driver’s daily walkaround check as part of your maintenance system.

You can also get expert advice on driving commercial vehicles by buying the:

Published 22 April 2014
Last updated 18 April 2023 + show all updates
  1. Updated to the latest version of the ‘Guide to maintaining roadworthiness: commercial goods and passenger carrying vehicles.

  2. Updated contact details for Logistics UK - the new name for the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

  3. Updated section 5.2 (tyre management system) in preparation for the ban on tyres 10 years or older being used on the front wheels of lorries, buses and coaches, and all wheels of minibuses.

  4. Updated the guidance to include advice on the monitoring of tyre age, and updated the daily walkaround check diagrams.

  5. First published.