Pre-drive checklist

Use this template to help create a road safety pre-drive checklist that suits your workplace to help keep your workers safe on the road. Note: this template should be used as a guide only. Tailor to your workplace size including fleet and travel requirements for your organisation.

This is an induction checklist to explain vehicle, route and driver induction processes for new or existing drivers. The checklist should be completed prior to starting your trip in the vehicle.

Before you drive, use this checklist to ensure you and your vehicle are ready to drive safely on the roads. It is your employer’s responsibility to ensure all fleet vehicles are in good working order. If you note any defects notify your manager or fleet coordinator immediately and do not drive the vehicle.

Driver name:
Destination:	Date:
Vehicle model:	Registration:
Manager:

Before you drive

Do you hold a valid licence for this vehicle?

Are you fit to drive? You must not drive if you have a condition that will impair your ability to drive. Use of some prescription medication, feeling fatigued or unwell will affect your ability to drive.

You must abide by the road rules.

You must drive to the road conditions and share the road with other road users.

Have you been inducted into the use of this vehicle?

Ensure your vehicle is set up correctly, adjust your seat, steering wheel, head rest and mirrors.

Have you familiarised yourself with the vehicle controls and safety features of the vehicle?

Have you performed a quick external inspection of the vehicle, including checking tyres?

Personal assessment
Fatigue check	Are you well rested and fit to drive? If you have consumed alcohol or drugs, do not drive.
Planning	Do you need to prepare a travel plan and complete a risk assessment? Have you planned the safest route? Have you factored in enough time to reach your destination? Have you planned where to take rest breaks on your journey, if needed? Has the length of the work day been considered in relation to the journey? Have you checked the weather, noting any potential storms, bushfire warnings or extreme weather?
Contact	Have you informed your manager and colleagues where you are going and what time you are expecting to arrive? Have you scheduled check in/s with a designated person? Make sure you contact them when you arrive.
Supplies	Have you had a meal, or do you need any snacks? Do you have water?

Vehicle check
Tyres	Do all tyres look like they have good tread and are not flat? Does the vehicle have a spare tyre?
Fuel	Is there enough fuel in the vehicle or for electric vehicles has the battery been charged? Have you determined a suitable location to refuel/recharge if needed?
Brakes	Are the brakes working correctly, including the handbrake?
Lights	Are both headlights working? Are the indicators working and displaying on the front and back of the vehicles? Are the brake lights working?
Windscreen	Is the windscreen clean and not damaged or chipped?
Wipers	Are the wipers working? Is there sufficient water in the washer reservoir?
Seat	Is the head rest adjusted correctly? Is your seat in the correct position? Is the seatbelt operational and free of damage?
Mirrors	Are the side view mirrors clean and adjusted correctly? Is the rear vision mirror adjusted so you can see out the rear window?
Steering wheel	Is the steering wheel adjusted to the correct height?
Warning lights	Are there any warning lights on the dashboard, such as engine check or airbag warnings?
Safety features	Safety technology and alerts are enabled and you are familiar with how they operate?
Phone enabling features	If in-car phone use is allowed in your business and you are a full licence holder, put your mobile phone in the cradle and connect to the vehicles Bluetooth before driving. If there is no cradle or you are not a full licence holder, put your mobile phone on silent and out of sight so you don’t touch it. You could also set your phone to ‘do not disturb’ to automatically reply to messages, divert phone calls or block notifications.
Navigation	Have you programmed in your destination before starting to drive?
Glove box	Is there an instruction manual to explain vehicle functions, features (including safety features)? Ensure you familiarise yourself with safety features, as each vehicle can be different. Does the vehicle logbook highlight any maintenance issues? Is there information on who to call and what to do in the event of a breakdown or crash?

Tools to help you plan

Add links to relevant information for your workplace, such as the Country Fire Service (CFS), monitor emergency broadcasts, including checking www.bom.gov.au, Traffic SA for roadworks, incidents and planned events in South Australia or use SAPOL Traffic Watch to report non-urgent traffic related incidents that do not require police attendance.