Truck pre-trip inspection checklist

You can easily adapt this template by adding vehicle-specific components or removing irrelevant sections. Focus on your truck’s unique features like specialized equipment attachments or specific cargo securement requirements. The digital format allows you to adjust categories while maintaining all required DOT inspection points.

Skipping inspection items can lead to undiscovered mechanical issues that cause breakdowns, accidents, or DOT violations during roadside inspections. You might face fines up to several thousand dollars, negative impacts on your CSA score, and potential liability issues if an accident occurs due to a mechanical failure.

The digital checklist eliminates paperwork, creates automatic timestamps for compliance verification, allows photo documentation of defects, and generates maintenance action items instantly. You’ll build a searchable inspection history that proves your commitment to safety during audits while saving time on administrative tasks.

Drivers should complete the inspection before starting their first trip of the day and after any extended break where the vehicle was out of sight. FMCSA regulations require at least one inspection logged daily, but best practice is to perform checks before each new trip, especially when switching trailers or cargo.