Emergency Vehicle Checklists

Civic.ly builds in checklists for inspecting a emergency vehicle, and your team can use whichever suits them. They appear in the checklist picker for the matching asset type, and any fault raises a defect automatically.

Before you use this checklist: you don't build these — they're built in and matched to your assets. To put one on someone's phone, create an inspection (or a job) on the asset and pick the checklist. A checklist only appears for the right asset type. See How to Use a Checklist.

Electric emergency vehicle: there's an (Electric) variant that swaps fuel/oil items for charging and high-voltage checks. The standard version is shown below; pick the variant that matches the machine.

Emergency Vehicle Check (quick, graded)

Covers: Emergency vehicle. recommended daily.

SAFETY

Braking System

EffectiveSoft PedalHandbrake WeakWarning LightFailedN/A

ⓘ Guidance

Test the service brake and parking brake on the emergency vehicle. Check pedal feel, stopping effectiveness, pull to either side, and warning lights.

Emergency Equipment

Present & CorrectFire Extinguisher MissingFirst Aid MissingTriangle MissingHigh-Vis MissingSpill Kit MissingExpiredAll MissingN/A

ⓘ Guidance

Verify emergency equipment on the emergency vehicle — fire extinguisher, first aid kit, warning triangle, high-vis, spill kit — is present, in date, and accessible.

Horn & Audible Warnings

FunctioningHorn FailureReversing Alarm FailedMultiple FailuresN/A

ⓘ Guidance

Test the horn and any reversing alarm, beacon tone, or audible warning fitted to the emergency vehicle.

Lights & Indicators

FunctioningHeadlight OutBrake Light OutIndicator FailedReversing Light OutFog Light OutMisalignedMoisture InsideMultiple FailuresN/A

ⓘ Guidance

Test all lights on the emergency vehicle including headlights (dip and main), sidelights, indicators, hazards, brake, reversing, and rear fog lights.

FUNCTIONALITY

Mileage

Enter a number

ⓘ Guidance

Record the current odometer reading on the emergency vehicle, in miles.

CONDITION

Fluid Levels

AdequateLow Engine OilLow CoolantLow Power SteeringLow HydraulicWasher EmptyLow FuelMultiple LowLow Brake FluidContaminatedEmptyN/A

ⓘ Guidance

Check all fluid levels on the engine — fuel level, engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering, screen wash, and hydraulic fluid where fitted.

Glass & Mirrors

ClearDirty/ObscuredCracked GlassMoisture InsideMissingN/A

ⓘ Guidance

Inspect windscreen, side windows, and all mirrors on the emergency vehicle for chips, cracks, delamination, or obscuration.

Overall Condition

NewGoodFairPoorCritical

ⓘ Guidance

Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the emergency vehicle. This rating will update the asset's condition record.

Tyres & Wheels

GoodLow PressureWorn TreadWheel DamageMultiple IssuesN/A

ⓘ Guidance

Check the four road wheels and tyres for tread depth, inflation, sidewall damage, and wheel integrity. Legal minimum tread on UK road vehicles is 1.6 mm.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleanliness

CleanDirty InteriorDirty ExteriorObscured PlatesContaminatedN/A

ⓘ Guidance

Assess cleanliness of the emergency vehicle inside and out. Check number plates, lights, mirrors, and windows are clear of dirt affecting visibility or identification.

Fluid Leaks

No LeaksWeeping ResidueOil LeakCoolant LeakHydraulic LeakBrake Fluid LeakFuel LeakActive DripMultiple LeaksN/A

ⓘ Guidance

Inspect the ground beneath the emergency vehicle and the underside of the engine for oil, coolant, hydraulic, brake fluid, or fuel leaks.

Emergency Vehicle Sweep (thorough, itemised)

Covers: Emergency vehicle. recommended daily.

CONDITION

Overall Condition

NewGoodFairPoorCritical

ⓘ Guidance

Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the emergency vehicle. This rating will update the asset's condition record.

SWEEP

00 Mileage

Enter a number

ⓘ Guidance

Record the current odometer reading on the emergency vehicle, in miles.

01 Fuel / oil / water leaks

OKN/ALeak found

ⓘ Guidance

Check the ground under the emergency vehicle for fuel, oil, or water leaks.

02 Headlights (incl. full beam)

OKN/AHeadlight issue

ⓘ Guidance

Test dipped and full-beam headlights.

03 Rear lights

OKN/ARear light issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check rear position and brake lights.

04 Side lights

OKN/ASide light issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check front and rear side lights.

05 Indicator lights

OKN/AIndicator issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check all four indicators flash correctly.

06 Hazard lights

OKN/AHazard light issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the hazard warning lights operate.

07 Reverse light

OKN/AReverse light issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the reversing light works in reverse.

08 Fog light

OKN/AFog light issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the rear fog light works.

09 Warning beacon

OKN/AWarning beacon issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the amber warning beacon operates.

10 Windows

OKN/AWindow issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the windscreen and windows are intact and clear.

11 Wiper blades

OKN/AWiper blade issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the wiper blades for splits, perishing, or smearing.

12 Bumpers & bodywork

OKN/ABodywork issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check bumpers, panels, and bodywork for new damage.

13 Number plates

OKN/APlate issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check front and rear number plates are present, secure, and legible.

14 Wing mirrors

OKN/AMirror issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check both wing mirrors are secure, intact, and adjusted.

15 Tyre condition (incl. spare)

OKN/ATyre issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check tread depth and sidewalls on all tyres, including the spare.

16 Tyre pressure

OKN/ATyre pressure issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check all tyres are correctly inflated.

17 Wheel nuts

OKN/AWheel nut issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check wheel nuts are present and tight.

18 Spare wheel & jack

OKN/ASpare / jack missing

ⓘ Guidance

Check the spare wheel and jack are present and serviceable.

19 Load / roof rack security

OKN/ALoad not secure

ⓘ Guidance

Check any load, roof rack, or towed trailer is secure and restraints are sound.

20 Brake fluid

OKN/ABrake fluid issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the brake fluid reservoir is between min and max.

21 Power steering fluid

OKN/ASteering fluid issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the power steering fluid level is between the marks.

22 Water / coolant

OKN/ACoolant issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the coolant level is between min and max when cold.

23 Window washer fluid

OKN/AWasher fluid issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the washer bottle is topped up.

24 Engine oil level

OKN/AEngine oil issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the engine oil on the dipstick is between the marks.

25 Fuel / charge level

OKN/ALow fuel

ⓘ Guidance

Check the fuel (or charge) level is sufficient for the shift.

26 Battery condition

OKN/ABattery issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the battery is secure with clean terminals and no leaks or swelling.

27 Seatbelts & locking

OKN/ASeatbelt issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check seatbelts extend, retract, and latch securely.

28 Cab heater / blowers

OKN/ABlower issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the hot and cold air blowers work correctly.

29 Washers & wipers operation

OKN/AWash / wipe issue

ⓘ Guidance

Operate washers and wipers together; check they clear the screen.

30 All other switches & buttons

OKN/ASwitch / button issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check all remaining cab switches and buttons operate.

31 Horn

OKN/AHorn issue

ⓘ Guidance

Test the horn.

32 Power steering play

OKN/ASteering play issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check for excessive play or unusual noise in the steering.

33 Brakes (service & handbrake)

OKN/ABrakes ineffective

ⓘ Guidance

Test the service brake and parking brake for firm pedal, effective stopping, and secure hold.

34 Dashboard warning lights

OKN/AWarning light on

ⓘ Guidance

Check no warning lights remain illuminated after start-up.

35 First aid kit

OKN/AFirst aid issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the first aid kit is present, accessible, and in date.

36 Fire extinguisher

OKN/AExtinguisher issue

ⓘ Guidance

Check the fire extinguisher is present, charged, and in date.

37 Warning triangle

OKN/AWarning triangle missing

ⓘ Guidance

Check the warning triangle is present and accessible.

Using these checklists in Civic.ly

Every checklist here is built into Civic.ly as a standard template — you don't recreate it. Add the asset, create the inspection or job (standalone or via a routine), pick the checklist, and it appears on the assigned person's phone, with any fault raising a defect automatically. New to this? See How to Use a Checklist.

Common Questions

Should we run the Check or the Sweep?

Many teams run the quick Check for a daily or pre-use look and the thorough Sweep weekly, or whenever a different operator takes it. Match it to your insurer's wording.

Do these replace statutory testing (MOT, LOLER, servicing)?

No — they're the routine duty-holder checks your own team makes. Statutory testing and servicing by a competent person still apply; the checks are the layer in between and the evidence you kept an eye on things.