Daily vehicle check for PHV drivers

The handbook says that as a professional driver you are responsible for checking your vehicle is safe and legal to drive. It then gives a four-part checklist. This guide sets that list out in an order you can follow in about five minutes. It is a companion to the summary in our safer driving guide.

Why check every day

The handbook states that all drivers must make sure their vehicle is maintained to the required standard, and that the laws on safe use of vehicles include having insurance, a current MOT certificate and a driving licence, wearing a seat belt and not driving a faulty vehicle. A daily check is how you find a fault before a passenger or an officer does.

1. Driver's compartment

• Seat and seat belt are in good condition, secure, and adjust as you need.
• Steering wheel is secure and in good condition.
• Clutch and brake pedals have anti-slip covers.
• Handbrake is in good working condition.
• Warning lights do not stay lit when the engine starts.
• Indicators work correctly.
• Horn works.
• Windscreen washers and wipers are in good condition.
• Devices for opening and closing the driver and front passenger windows work.
• You can see in all the mirrors.

2. Passenger compartment

The handbook says this should be clean and all equipment must be in good working order:

• Seat belts fitted to all passenger seats.
• Upholstery, headlining, carpets and door trims.
• Passenger courtesy lights.
• Wheelchair safety belts or seat belts, if applicable.
• All doors and door locking mechanisms.
• Vehicle heater system.
• No smoking signs.
• CCTV signage in a prominent position, only where CCTV is installed. See CCTV in private hire vehicles.

3. Wheels and tyres

Tyres must be the correct size, speed and weight rating for your vehicle's make and model, and all wheel nuts must be in place and secure. Tyres must be free from:

• Cuts, lumps, bulges and tears.
• Excessive or uneven wear.
• Excessive damage to the wheel rim.

Tyre wear bar indicators sit around the tyre. If the tread has worn down to the level of the indicators, the handbook says you must replace the tyre.

4. Outside the vehicle

Check there are no signs of fluids, such as oil or brake fluid, leaking from under the vehicle onto the ground. Then check:

• All external lights and reflectors are there, secure, undamaged and working.
• Body panels have not been badly repaired.
• There is no evidence of serious damage to the external body panels.
• There is no serious rusting or corrosion that has produced sharp edges.
• All windows are clean, undamaged and free from unapproved signage or advertising material.

5. Licence discs and paperwork

Section 2 adds licensing items to the same walk-round. You cannot use a vehicle for private hire if the licence discs are missing, badly damaged or spoilt in appearance. If you are exempt from displaying them, you must carry the exemption notice. The handbook also encourages you to carry details of valid hire or reward insurance when working. See vehicle licence and insurance basics.

Before you move

Take a moment for visibility. Clear any device or sign that reduces your view, and make sure nothing sits on the swept area of the windscreen. See phones and sat navs while driving.

After a collision

If you own your PHV, the handbook says you must tell TfL within 72 hours of any collision that affects the safety, performance, appearance or comfort of the vehicle, and that the vehicle may need to be re-examined before it can continue as a PHV. Do the walk-round again after any knock.

Keep a record

A tick on a simple sheet, with the date, shows you checked. Our record keeping guide explains the habit. Bring in problems you find to your operator or garage the same day.

What this guide cannot tell you

The handbook does not say how often to check or what a passing standard looks like for each item. It also does not replace MOT or TfL vehicle inspections. If you are costing a vehicle, use the cost per mile calculator with your own figures.

Where this comes from

Handbook section 7 (Vehicle safety; Driver's compartment; Passenger compartment; Wheels and tyres; Outside the vehicle; Following traffic laws), section 2 (Licences and licence discs; Insurance; Collision damage). Checked on 2 October 2026.