Daily inspection before departure (walk-around)

Always start at the same place — typically at the driver's door — and walk clockwise all the way round the vehicle and any trailer. A fixed route means that you spot deviations immediately and that you do not forget a point under time pressure.

Do the round in the same order every day — the habit is what catches the faults.

Check tyre pressure against the vehicle's data plate, look for visible cords, bulges, cuts and uneven wear, and check that the wheel-nut indicators are still aligned. A rotated indicator means a loose nut — stop immediately. Remember the spare wheel if one is fitted.

Uneven wear can reveal a wheel alignment or brake problem, not just a worn tyre.

Have the front, rear, brake, reversing and indicator lights and marker lights checked. Side marker and outline marker lights are required on lorries wider than 2.10 m (Færdselsloven). Clean dirty lamps — they do not count if they cannot be seen.

The windows must be clean and free of scratches in the field of vision. Check that mirrors and cameras (blind spot) are intact and correctly adjusted, and that wipers and screenwash work. Adjust the mirrors before you get in.

Let the air pressure build up to operating level and listen for unusual noises or air loss. Test that the parking brake holds — both on level ground and on a ramp. With a trailer: check that the coupling heads and brake hoses are correctly connected without leaks.

Never drive on with a brake, steering or load-securing fault.

Check the engine oil (between min and max), coolant (only with a cold engine), screenwash and AdBlue level. Check for leaks under the vehicle (oil, fuel, coolant, AdBlue) and that the battery terminals are tight and free of corrosion.

Check that the coupling or fifth-wheel lock is correctly locked and secured. Inspect lashing straps, chains and anti-slip mats for cuts, crushing and corrosion, and that the strap labels with LC/STF (EN 12195-2) are legible.

Check the warning triangle, high-visibility vest, torch, approved fire extinguisher with a valid service label, first-aid kit and wheel chocks. For dangerous goods: the additional ADR equipment according to ADR 2025 / BEK 915/2025.

An expired fire extinguisher does not count as approved equipment — check the date.

Insert the driver card and check that the tachograph shows no error message. New lorries over 3.5 t must have a 2nd-generation smart tachograph (mandatory fitting from 21 August 2023, EU 165/2014). Manually enter activity since the last rest.

Make sure the consignment note/CMR, haulage/Community licence (for international transport) and roadworthiness and insurance certificates are on board and valid. For dangerous goods: transport document and instructions in writing.

Write down any defect immediately and report it to the workshop or fleet manager before the journey begins. Safety-critical faults in brakes, steering, tyres, lights or load securing points are always «do not drive» until they have been rectified.

Five minutes of checks every morning prevents most roadside inspection remarks.