Van checks

[Sickofit]

So what should the daily van check be? Nobody does it at my place

[therailway]

Its all detailed in the front of the vehicle log book, daily, duty and weekly. Make sure you do it otherwise it could be another excuse!

[fishtank]

Duty checks (inside the cab)
• Completion of logbook
• Seat belts (operation of)
• Fuel level (ensure sufficient for duty)
• Brake pedal movement/operation (static check)
• Handbrake movement/operation (static check)
• Horn (operation of) but consider operating times
• Operation of windscreen wipers and washers
• Steering (free play)
• Cleanliness of vehicle (inside)
• Operation of heater/demister
• Dashboard warning lights.

Duty checks (walking around the vehicle)
• Condition/cleanliness of all glass, including mirrors
• Lights and lenses (operation, condition and security)
• Doors (security)
• Tyres’ visual check (pressure, tread and sidewall)
• Vehicle excise duty (correctly displayed and in date)
• Visual inspection of wheel nuts/indicators
• Condition of number plate bodywork and attachments
• Cleanliness of vehicle (outside)
• Signs of: oil/coolant/fluid leaks
• Load, including security and condition of restraint straps/system
• Operation and security of tail lift (where fitted).

Additional duty checks for LGVs
• Trailer connections (suzies)
• Fifth-wheel connection and safety chain
• O’Licence disc displayed
• Trailer tail lift power lead (where fitted)
• Trailer lights
• Trailer number plate
• Trailer leg stowage
• Vehicle height displayed/set in cab
• Side guard and under run protection equipment (>3.5t vehicles).

Daily checks
• Engine oil - all plated vehicles and light vehicles
• (Top up if required and report on PMT1 if this has fallen below the minimum level)
• Coolant (top up if required)
• Brake fluid level (visual check)
• Screen washers (top up if required)
• Signs of: oil/coolant/fluid leaks
• Service/inspection due reminder sticker, date and mileage entered.
In addition to all duty and daily checks, the following items must be checked once a week.

Weekly checks
• Tyre pressures and tread depth (using gauges)
• Engine oil - all unplated and low-mileage vehicles only (top up if required).
Details of any damage or faults with the vehicle identified upon takeover must be recorded in the Vehicle Condition & Mileage Logbook (P1061E).
Where damage is not previously mentioned in the logbook, it must be referred to your manager before taking the vehicle onto the road, and the logbook should be counter-signed by your manager for future reference.
Always check to ensure a sufficient level of screen-wash fluid is in your vehicle.
In adverse weather conditions, a method to de-ice your vehicle will be provided
by your manager.

[Hitcher]

Lol at all of the above.

[Sickofit]

Be good if they allowed us time to do this lol

[singingpostman]

I don,t take my own car out without doing basic checks, so why, when you are about to go out on a 5hr plus rural would you not do the basic checks to ensure a safe and comfortable journey ? how long does it to take 5 mins ?, rather do that than spend 3 hours waiting for a recovery truck to turn up. Sorry if this comes across as a "goody goddy " post, but the van is my working area for most of my day, so I like it to be clean the same as I would if it was an office area.

[fishtank]

Be good if they allowed us time to do this lol

They do.
It's in black and white in the drivers manual.

[DGP1]

I don,t take my own car out without doing basic checks, so why, when you are about to go out on a 5hr plus rural would you not do the basic checks to ensure a safe and comfortable journey ? how long does it to take 5 mins ?, rather do that than spend 3 hours waiting for a recovery truck to turn up. Sorry if this comes across as a "goody goddy " post, but the van is my working area for most of my day, so I like it to be clean the same as I would if it was an office area.

Used to keep the inside nice and clean.........got fed up with the collections taking it and filling it with rubbish.....I mean, who the f*** leaves an apple core sitting in the middle of the van and I mean that, they never fill in the log book

My van is legal and that's all that matters to me.

[DAF85]

Be good if they allowed us time to do this lol

any vehicle you take out as part of your duty - you should have 25 minutes facility time built in to your duty for these checks at start and 15 minutes at end (for fueling up etc)

[fishtank]

Be good if they allowed us time to do this lol

any vehicle you take out as part of your duty - you should have 25 minutes facility time built in to your duty for these checks at start and 15 minutes at end (for fueling up etc)

I don't know where you get those times from DAF.

[Biker Mouse]

I don,t take my own car out without doing basic checks, so why, when you are about to go out on a 5hr plus rural would you not do the basic checks to ensure a safe and comfortable journey ? how long does it to take 5 mins ?, rather do that than spend 3 hours waiting for a recovery truck to turn up. Sorry if this comes across as a "goody goddy " post, but the van is my working area for most of my day, so I like it to be clean the same as I would if it was an office area.

Used to keep the inside nice and clean.........got fed up with the collections taking it and filling it with rubbish.....I mean, who the f*** leaves an apple core sitting in the middle of the van and I mean that, they never fill in the log book

My van is legal and that's all that matters to me.

Collection Drivers must be of the same mindset in all offices! My van always comes back like a fast food takeaway bin and I always report it but to no avail!

[DAF85]

I don't know where you get those times from DAF.

Tacho vehicles - but the chart you posted for smaller vehicles highlights that there should still be time included in a duty involving driving for required vehicle checks.

[Lounge Lizard]

I don,t take my own car out without doing basic checks, so why, when you are about to go out on a 5hr plus rural would you not do the basic checks to ensure a safe and comfortable journey ? how long does it to take 5 mins ?, rather do that than spend 3 hours waiting for a recovery truck to turn up. Sorry if this comes across as a "goody goddy " post, but the van is my working area for most of my day, so I like it to be clean the same as I would if it was an office area.

"comfortable journey" - in a Vauxhall Combo ?
And as for "Duty checks (inside the cab)• Horn (operation of) but consider operating times" I've never heard anyone check that in all my years working for Royal Mail.

[foodforthought]

the problem is it's not one persons van, sure of the 5 days one driver has it, does the checks, keeps it all in order. has a day off sat, come in on monday/tuesday rubbish on front seat, flat tyre, no fuel. happens all the time

[Bahia Feliz]

Fuel-Under a 1/4 of a tank?
Report offender to manager.