Truck maintenance checklist: daily, weekly and PM service

Checklists work because they remove memory from the job. On a tired morning or a rushed afternoon, the same items get checked in the same order. That is what catches the soft tire, the leaking seal or the out-of-adjustment brake before it becomes a breakdown or a violation.

The checklist

Tick items as you go. Progress saves in your browser, and the print button produces a one-page sheet.

Daily checks: what the rules say

Two federal rules shape the daily inspection. Before driving, under 49 CFR 396.13, the driver must be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition, review the last driver vehicle inspection report, and sign it if defects were listed. After the day's driving, under 49 CFR 396.11, the driver prepares a report covering at least the service brakes and trailer brake connections, parking brake, steering, lights and reflectors, tires, horn, wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, and emergency equipment. For property carriers, no report is needed when no defect is found.

Source: 49 CFR 396.11 and 396.13, checked October 2026

For a full interactive version of the daily walk-around, use the pre-trip inspection checklist.

Weekly checks

Weekly checks catch slow problems: a belt starting to crack, a hose going soft, a battery terminal corroding, coolant dropping a little each day. They take 15 minutes and are best done at the same time each week, such as the start of the week at home.

PM service items

PM items follow the intervals in your maintenance program, which come from the vehicle and engine makers. Our truck maintenance guide explains how PM A, B and C services are usually grouped and how to set intervals.

Daily checklist: how to do it well

A daily inspection is only useful if it is done properly. A few habits help:

• Follow the same route around the truck every time, so nothing is skipped. Many drivers start at the driver's door and work clockwise.
• Look, listen and touch. Look for leaks and damage, listen for air leaks with the system charged, and feel for loose parts.
• Use a flashlight, even in daylight, for wheel ends, brake chambers and the fifth wheel jaws.
• Check the in-cab items with the engine running: gauges, warning lights, air pressure build-up and the low air warning.
• Write down what you find, even small items, so they can be planned into the next service.

Weekly checklist: details that matter

• Engine oil: check on level ground, after the engine has been off for a few minutes.
• Coolant: check the level in the reservoir with the engine cool; never open a hot radiator cap.
• Belts: look for cracks, glazing, fraying and correct tension.
• Hoses: squeeze coolant hoses for softness or swelling, and check clamps.
• Batteries: clean corrosion and confirm terminals are tight.
• Air tanks: drain manual tanks to remove water and oil; check the air dryer is working on trucks that have one.
• Brakes: check pushrod stroke or adjustment indicators where you can do so safely.
• Lights: check every exterior light, including trailer lights, with help or by walking around with the hazards and lights on.

PM checklist: working with your shop

PM items are usually done by a shop or a trained technician. To get the most from each visit:

1. Bring your list of issues from daily and weekly checks.
2. Ask for the PM checklist the shop uses, and compare it with your truck's needs.
3. Ask for measurements, such as brake lining thickness, tread depth and brake stroke, not just pass or fail.
4. Ask the shop to note anything that will need attention soon.
5. File the completed checklist and invoice in your maintenance records.

Equipment-specific additions

Add items for the equipment on your truck:

• Reefer: unit fuel level, belts, refrigerant performance and the temperature recorder.
• Liftgate: hydraulic fluid, hoses, chains or cables, and the platform's operation.
• Flatbed and step deck: straps, chains, binders, tarps and edge protectors.
• Dump body: hoist, hydraulic lines, tailgate latches and the PTO.
• Tanker: valves, vents, hoses, gaskets and required test and inspection dates.
• Car hauler: ramps, hydraulic cylinders, tie-down straps and wheel chocks.

Using the checklist with drivers

If you hire drivers, give them the checklist and explain why each item matters. Ask them to report problems right away rather than at the end of the week. Review their inspection reports, and make sure defects are repaired and the repair is noted before the truck goes out again. A driver who knows the owner reads the reports takes them more seriously.

How long the daily check takes

A thorough daily check of a tractor-trailer often takes somewhere around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the equipment. That time is well spent: catching a soft tire or an air leak in the yard costs a few minutes, while the same problem on the highway can cost a load.

Seasonal additions

Add a few items to the checklist at the start of each season:

• Before winter: coolant freeze protection, battery tests, block heater operation, wiper blades, washer fluid rated for cold, chains, and fuel treatment for cold weather.
• Before summer: air conditioning performance, cooling system cleanliness, tire pressures adjusted for heat, and belts and hoses that may fail in high temperatures.
• Before a long trip: a full walk-around, fluid levels, tire condition, a spare fuse kit and the paperwork the trip requires.

Digital vs paper checklists

Some owners use apps or electronic inspection systems that record checks with time stamps and photos. Others use paper forms kept in a binder. Either works if it is done every time and the records are kept. Digital systems make it easier to share reports with a shop or a dispatcher and to search past inspections. Paper is simple and does not depend on a phone or signal. Use whichever you will actually keep up with.

Checklists and roadside inspections

Many roadside inspection findings are items a daily check would have caught: lights out, tires low, brakes out of adjustment, air leaks. A truck that is checked properly every day tends to pass inspections, and a clean inspection history helps with insurance and with brokers who look at safety records.

Keeping the records

Federal rules require motor carriers to keep inspection, repair and maintenance records for each vehicle they control for 30 days or more. A signed, dated checklist is good evidence the work was done. Keep checklists with your invoices in a truck maintenance log, on paper or digitally.

When a check finds a problem

1. Write it down on the inspection report with the location and what you saw.
2. If it affects safety, do not drive until it is fixed.
3. Get it repaired, and have the repair noted on the report.
4. Keep the invoice with the record.

Our guide to semi truck repair covers choosing a shop and getting a clear diagnosis.

Checklists and costs

A checklist does not just prevent breakdowns; it also lowers the cost of maintenance, because problems found early cost less to fix. Our guide to semi truck maintenance cost covers what routine items and common repairs cost, and how to set aside money per mile for them.

Making the checklist stick

• Do the checks in the same order every time.
• Keep the printed sheet in the truck.
• Do the weekly checks on the same day each week.
• Share the list with any driver who runs your truck.
• Review the list every year, and add items for your equipment, such as a reefer unit or liftgate.

Where we fit

Dispatch is our job, for 26 ft box trucks and every bigger rig. We plan loads around your service days. Learn more about our dispatch service.