How Often Do HGV's Need Inspecting?

An HGV is a huge vehicle that is responsible for covering many miles whilst transporting goods across the country. Not only do they play a very important role, but they are also incredibly dangerous if they are not safe and roadworthy. It is therefore essential that they are inspected on a regular basis to make sure that they are safe to be on the road.

In this article, Walker Movements take a look at what an HGV inspection should involve and how often these things should be taking place.

The frequency of commercial vehicle checks

Any operator of HGVs and public service vehicles are legally required to carry out regular checks and will be given a maintenance plan that they need to follow. The safety inspection intervals for HGVs can vary depending on the operating conditions of the vehicle, and so inspection frequencies can range from anything between four weeks and 13 weeks. Lightly loaded vehicles which undergo easy operating conditions have recommended inspection interval ranges between six and 13 weeks. This is because these vehicles are less prone to wear and tear, and so can go for longer periods between inspections.

Any HGVs which are involved in general haulage, such as trunking operations, will need to be inspected every five to 10 weeks. As these vehicles are subject to a lot of motorway miles, they can be prone to moderate levels of wear and tear. However, vehicles which have constant heavy loads or are made to operate under arduous conditions will need more frequent inspections. This can range between four and eight weeks as the heavy strain that is put on these vehicles will increase the levels of wear, and can lead to a greater number of defects, therefore making closer monitoring necessary.

Any HGVs operating off road, such as in the construction industry, should undergo inspections every four weeks. This is because the harsh environment and difficult terrain that they are required to work with can increase the risk of damage significantly and therefore ensuring that stringent safety checks must be put in place.

Vehicles which are more than 12 years old will need to be inspected every six weeks, irrespective of the operating conditions that they work under. This is because the risk of mechanical failure increases with age and so regular inspections will be needed to keep the vehicle safe.

HGV inspections

It is a legal requirement for HGVs to undergo inspections regularly. However, it is important to remember that if your vehicles are put through tough and hard-wearing conditions or substantial mileage then you may need to apply for shorter intervals in between inspections. The interval between inspections can also depend on the age and condition of the vehicle and its trailer. If a vehicle has been out of service for any period of time, it should always be inspected before use and any vehicle or trailer that is more than 12 years old should never have a gap longer than six weeks between inspections.

Features of an HGV inspection

HGV inspections should be seen as preventative maintenance checks. They provide an opportunity to take a close look at the condition of the vehicle and spot any small defects before they have the opportunity to become more significant and expensive.

The inspection itself should cover all aspects of the vehicle and should ensure that it would be capable of passing its MOT at any given time.

Driver responsibilities

Before a driver heads out on any journey, it is their legal responsibility to ensure that the vehicle they are in charge of is safe and in good condition. They should therefore carry out daily checks of their vehicles to help highlight any problems. This should involve basic checks of the tyres, lights and brakes, as well as looking for any obvious damage or defects. They should keep a checklist of the things they need to inspect at the start of the day including a list of vehicle parts, electrical connections, brake lines, trailer couplings, the condition of reflectors, windows and number plates, the horn and the lights. When these have been checked, the driver should make sure that they record their findings.

Any problems should immediately be flagged up to the fleet manager, who can then organise for the vehicle to be repaired or supply a different one. It is important to ensure that any issues are dealt with before the vehicle is taken out on the road. There are also a number of smartphone apps which are now available that can help drivers to report any defects.

First use checks

It is easy to assume that a brand-new vehicle will be in perfect condition, but this is not always the case. Therefore, if an HGV is new or you are using a hire vehicle, then an initial check should be made before it is allowed out on the road. You should follow a detailed safety plan to ensure that the vehicle has all the required safety features, such as reversing alarms and cameras, and that everything is in good and safe condition before it can be driven.

Scheduling your checks

It is clear that vehicle inspections and checks should take place as regularly as possible, and whilst these can sometimes seem an inconvenience, they are much easier to deal with if they have been properly scheduled. How often they are checked will depend on a number of factors, but if you ensure that time has been set aside for this to occur then it is much easier to manage day-to-day duties. A good system can ensure that vehicle inspections are rotated so that your fleet is never left without a number of vehicles, and you will be able to continue to meet all of your commitments.

Whether you manage a single HGV or a fleet of them, it is important you understand your legal requirements to inspect them and keep the roadworthy. By looking at the age of the vehicle and the conditions in which it usually works, you can then put together an inspection schedule that ensures the vehicle is always in its best possible condition.