This Vehicle Pre-Start & Daily Check SOP (Safe Operating Procedure) gives drivers a clear daily routine for checking work cars, utes, vans and light and heavy trucks before they hit the road. It covers licence and fitness for duty, fluids, tyres, lights, mirrors, seatbelts, load and tow connections, registration, defect reporting, safe driving habits and isolating hydraulic tailgates or tipper bodies. It's written by WHS specialists, aligned to Australian WHS legislation, and fully editable in Microsoft Word.
Who it's for
Trade businesses with work utes and vans
Delivery and courier businesses
Transport and logistics companies
Councils and government fleets
Sales and service teams using company cars
Use it to
Train and induct workers in exactly how you expect the task to be done
Keep a clear reference at the machine, in the vehicle or on site
Record competency with the built-in sign-off
Show clients, insurers and auditors your safe work methods are written down
What this SOP covers
Breakdowns, crashes or fires from undetected faults, leaks or wiring damage
Unrestrained or poorly restrained loads shifting or falling
Poor visibility from dirty, cracked or misadjusted windscreens, mirrors or lights
Crush injuries from vehicle movement or a lowering tailgate or tipper body
Being struck by traffic while doing checks in yards or roadside
Driver fatigue, illness or impairment
Working near a vehicle on a slope without wheel chocks
What's included
9 pre-operational checks, from licence and fitness for duty to fluids, tyres, lights, seatbelts, load area and registration
A 7-step operating procedure covering seat and mirror setup, route planning, driving to conditions, phones, warning lights and reversing
Isolation and energy control for park brakes, wheel chocks, hydraulic tailgates, tipper bodies and battery isolation
6 shutdown, housekeeping and post-operation steps
Emergency actions for breakdowns, loss of control, crashes, fluid leaks and hydraulic faults
PPE checklist and a list of related documents
Competency acknowledgement and worker sign-off
Space for your logo, SOP number, version and review dates
Why use this template
Saves hours compared with writing an SOP from a blank page
Written as clear, numbered steps that workers can follow on the job
Fully editable, so you can match it to your equipment, site and how your team works
The competency sign-off gives you a training record from day one
How it works
Buy online and download straight away. You'll also get an email with your link.
Add your logo, company name, SOP number and dates.
Check it suits your equipment and site, and edit anything you need to.
Train your workers and have them sign the competency acknowledgement.
Need more than one SOP?
This SOP is also included in the Ultimate Agriculture & Farming SOP Bundle, Ultimate Air Conditioning & Refrigeration SOP Bundle, Ultimate Audio Visual SOP Bundle, Ultimate Automotive & Mechanical SOP Bundle, Ultimate Bricklaying & Masonry SOP Bundle, Ultimate Building & Construction SOP Bundle, Ultimate Carpentry SOP Bundle, Ultimate Civil & Earthworks SOP Bundle, Ultimate Cleaning SOP Bundle, Ultimate Concreting SOP Bundle, Ultimate Electrical, HVAC & Solar SOP Bundle, Ultimate Fencing SOP Bundle, Ultimate Fire Services SOP Bundle, Ultimate Gardening & Landscaping SOP Bundle, Ultimate Hire Services SOP Bundle, Ultimate Hospitality & Events SOP Bundle, Ultimate Internal Fit-out SOP Bundle, Ultimate Joinery & Cabinet Making SOP Bundle, Ultimate Manufacturing & Industrial SOP Bundle, Ultimate Painting SOP Bundle, Ultimate Pest Control SOP Bundle, Ultimate Plumbing SOP Bundle, Ultimate Professional & Business Services SOP Bundle, Ultimate Property Maintenance SOP Bundle, Ultimate Retail & Wholesale SOP Bundle, Ultimate Roofing SOP Bundle, Ultimate Security Services SOP Bundle, Ultimate Shopfitting SOP Bundle, Ultimate Steel & Metal Fabrication SOP Bundle, Ultimate Tiling & Waterproofing SOP Bundle and Ultimate Transport & Warehousing SOP Bundle. Each bundle is $197, which works out much cheaper than buying SOPs one at a time.
Common questions
Does it cover forklifts and mobile plant?
No. Forklifts and other mobile plant have their own plant-specific SOPs. This one is for road-registered vehicles driven on public roads.
Does it cover heavy trucks?
Yes. It applies to cars, utes, vans and light and heavy trucks used for work, provided the driver holds a current licence for that vehicle class.
Can I change it?
Yes. It's a Microsoft Word file, so you can add, remove or change any step, check or hazard, and add your own logo and details.
Does it suit my state?
Yes. It's written to the model WHS laws and suits all states and territories, including Victoria under the OHS Act and Regulations.
What if it doesn't suit my work?
You're covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee if it isn't fit for purpose.
