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Vehicles and maintenance
VEH-01 · Checklist · v3.1

Daily Vehicle Prestart and Defect Escalation Checklist

Daily prestart checklist with clear steps for escalating defects.

Who it's for

Suits: All operators running vehicles

What it proves at audit

Heavy Vehicle Accreditation criteria this document produces evidence for. Check your readiness.

Why operators use it

We use VEH-01 to make sure a driver pauses before work, checks the actual vehicle/configuration and reports unsafe or uncertain conditions before they become a roadside failure, incident or defect notice.

Vehicle standards, maintenance and safe operation are connected. A service interval or workshop record does not show what happened to a vehicle since its last service; a driver’s quick prestart check can identify a warning, leak, tyre, wheel, light, coupling, brake/air, vision, body or equipment concern before the vehicle leaves the yard or rest area. The checklist provides an early-warning control and a clear link to the formal defect, maintenance and release-to-service process.

From the companion guide that comes with this document.

This is practical guidance based on current industry standards. You must verify specific requirements against the latest NHVR regulations or state-specific laws (e.g., WA/NT) before implementation.