Pre-Trip Fleet Vehicle Inspection Checklist
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A printable walk-around and under-hood checklist for drivers and managers to run before any long trip, so small problems get caught in the yard instead of on the shoulder of the interstate.

[ ] Check the service log before anything else: confirm the vehicle is not past any interval, and if it is, decide now whether the trip waits or the service does.
[ ] Confirm registration, insurance card, and any required inspection stickers or permits are current and physically in the cab.
[ ] Record the current odometer reading and engine hours in the maintenance log before the vehicle leaves the yard.
[ ] Note every warning light on the dash and write down whether it is being handled before departure or after the vehicle returns.
[ ] Check engine oil level and condition on level ground; top off if low, and flag an oil change if the reading is close to the interval.
[ ] Check coolant level in the reservoir with the engine cold, and look for crust, stains, or wet spots around the radiator, hoses, and water pump.
[ ] Check brake fluid, power steering fluid where fitted, and windshield washer fluid, and note any level that dropped since the last check.
[ ] Inspect belts for cracks, glazing, fraying, or missing ribs, and squeeze hoses for soft spots, bulges, or hardening near the clamps.
[ ] Look under the vehicle for fresh drips or puddles and identify the fluid by color and location before the engine is started.
[ ] Check the battery terminals for corrosion and a tight fit, and confirm the vehicle starts cleanly without a slow crank.
[ ] Set every tire to the pressure on the door placard, including the spare if the vehicle carries one, and record any tire that needed more than a small top-off.
[ ] Check tread depth on every tire and look for uneven wear, cuts, bulges, exposed cord, or objects stuck in the tread.
[ ] Check lug nuts by sight and by hand, especially on any wheel that was recently removed for tire or brake work.
[ ] Test all exterior lights with a second person or a reflective surface: headlights, high beams, brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, and marker and clearance lights.
[ ] Test the horn and the wipers, and replace streaking or chattering blades before the trip rather than after the first rainstorm.
[ ] Walk around for body damage, loose mirrors, a cracked windshield in the driver's line of sight, and anything hanging below the frame or bumper.
[ ] If towing, check the hitch, safety chains, trailer lights, and trailer tire pressure, and confirm the load is secured and within the rated capacity.
[ ] Test the brakes at low speed in the yard and listen for grinding, pulling to one side, or a pedal that feels soft or travels farther than usual.
[ ] Confirm the emergency kit is in place: warning triangles or flares, fire extinguisher with a charged gauge, first aid kit, jumper cables, flashlight, and basic tools.
[ ] Confirm the driver has the number for roadside help and knows which approved shops are near the route in case something goes wrong anyway.
[ ] Plan a mid-trip check of fluids, tires, and lights at fuel stops on any run longer than a day, and note where it will happen.
[ ] After the trip, log every issue the driver noticed so it enters the schedule as a work order instead of being forgotten by the next run.