PRO-DEFECT BOOKS – NEW UPDATES EFFECTIVE 2026

Our 4 in 1 Professional Driver Daily Check and Defect Report Books for HGV’s, Coaches and Vans have undergone a further update to meet the new DVSA, MISSION ZERO, FORS and Direct Vision Standards (DVS).

Previous updates include a practical solution to help drivers avoid bridge strikes by recording and confirming the in-cab height indicator display is set or adjusted correctly.

The latest updates in 2026 include additional and new references to:

• The new Assimilated Drivers Hours Rules (formally known as the EU drivers Hours Rules).
• A clearer prompt for the driver to delcare if a defect relates to the vehicle or the trailer.
• A clearer prompt for the driver to declare any supporting documents i.e job sheet / invoice / parts.

The 2026 updates further support the FORS, MISSION ZERO and Direct Vision Standards to checks, declaring the following:

Our vehicles are fitted with additional safety equipment and features to assist drivers with reversing, blind spot reduction and information for other road users and vulnerable road users. Please ensure that windscreens, side windows, mirrors, camera monitoring and Direct Vision windows are free from obstruction.

Check Number 20** Additional safety equipment must include checks and defect reports for the following items (if fitted and attached) …

• Camera monitors, proximity sensors and power cable sensors (if applicable)
• Turning left / reverse alarms
• Blind spot take care / No Smoking stickers
• Direct Vision Standards (DVS), FORS, Mission ZERO safety equipment
• Emergency beacons / Conspicuousy Markings

The latest update will ensure your drivers are complying with the DVSA’s heavy enforcement of the Assimilated drivers’ hours rules, the updated categorisation of defects guidance, the DVSA’s updated guide to maintaining roadworthiness guidance and all the additional safety equipment checks required to meet the Mission Zero / DVS / ER and FORS Bronze, Silver and Gold Standards.

Operators procuring our professional driver check and defect report books can be 100% confident you are ;puirchasing the only paperbased defect book that meets all of the DVSA, DVS, ER, Mission Zero and FORS standards combined.

Avoiding Bridge Strikes Section

Check Number 5 in the book – This updated section in our driver check and defect report book requires your drivers to check the in-cab height indicator is set correctly for the vehicle, trailer combination or the height of the load being transported.

During a first use / trailer swap / new load walkaround check drivers are required to check the overall height of the vehicle / combination / load and use the section provided to record in feet and inches or metres and centimetres;

• The height indicator setting as currently displayed or;
• The height the driver adjusted the height indicator to and;
• Confirm by way of ticking the next section that the height is correct

The main purpose of this new check is to ensure that drivers are not only checking vehicle and load heights but recording the height. This will be fresh in their mind as they set off on their journey and is a great strategy for operators to help their drivers avoid bridge strikes.

Road safety advice displayed in our professional driver check & defect report books

ATTENTION… It is illegal, and you must never use a handheld mobile phone whilst driving our vehicles. From the 1^st March 2017 fines were doubled to £200 and drivers will automatically receive 6 points penalty points even for a 1^st offence.

Driver Fatigue – Be Safe

Many studies make it clear that sleep deprivation is dangerous, Driver fatigue could be a factor in 10% of all road accidents. If your tired, pull over in the next services (or a safe and legal place) Please inform your manager that you had pulled over for a few minutes as you felt you needed a break due to tiredness to enable you to carry on.

Highway Code and Vulnerable Road Users

Drivers must observe all the rules of the road including speed limits, speed restrictions and weight limits for the vehicle this includes all yard limits at our operating centre and while at a third-party site.

Always drive all vehicles in line with rules of the road, the highway code, current legislation and in a manner appropriate for the prevailing road, weather conditions and give due care and attention to all other road users including cyclists, pedestrians (including old people, children and the disabled), horse riders, motorcyclists, highway maintenance workers and mobility scooters.

Section 1 of 4 – The Daily Driver Declaration Section

Even before a driver records a daily walk around check on a company vehicle the book requires them to sign the following daily declaration…

Prior to reporting for duty I have taken a legal Assimilated Drivers Hours Rules daily/weekly rest period. I have not completed any undeclared work with another employer. I will not use a handheld mobile phone whilst driving. I am not under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication prescribed or bought over the counter that will impair or affect my ability to drive

This declaration has been designed to protect and defend your operator licence from issues relating to:

• Assimilated Driver Hours (Previously the EU Drivers Hours Rules) and the Working Time Directive infringements.
• The use of handheld mobile phones whilst driving.
• Drivers testing positive at roadside for alcohol, drugs or undeclared medications.

More importantly the declaration gives your drivers ample opportunity to consider the legal requirements of their role and to report in confidence to a manager prior to taking control of a vehicle. On the front page the following notice is also clearly displayed..

ATTENTION!! If you do not meet the legal daily/weekly rest requirements or if you are unable to sign the daily declaration section due to health reasons or you are unsure if medication you have taken affects your ability to drive report immediately to a manager.

Section 2 of 4 – The Methodical Driver Daily Walkaround Checklist

The 22 driver checks set out within the book are listed in such a way as to guide a driver around the vehicle / trailer methodically. This makes our books an excellent training tool for new drivers as well as updating your existing drivers with new prompts relating to your operator licence compliance, additional vehicle roadworthiness checks and checks relating to additional safety equipment fitted to your vehicles. Drivers can record if the vehicle and trailer is in a roadworthy condition within this section by completing the “NIL” defect box and signing off the report.

Section 3 of 4 – The Dedicated Driver Defect Reporting Section

Should a driver identify a defect this dual-purpose section of the book allows a driver to provide a written report of all roadworthiness defects or operator compliance issues and record this against a vehicle or a trailer. This is to ensure that once the defect or issue has been rectified the report is entered into the correct maintenance file.

Section 4 of 4 – The Dedicated Defect Rectification Section

The defect rectification section is the final and most important section within the book. It enables the operator, the driver or a third party contracted in to rectify the defect to record the action they have taken and the parts used to rectify reported defects.

This section can be completed by the driver, a maintenance provider, a manager or a service provider. No matter who completes the defect rectification section a good transport manager should always check the quality of the repair work. A final failsafe regarding recorded rectifications within this section is the following declaration that must be signed off..

I consider that the above defect/s have been rectified and this vehicle/trailer is now in a safe and roadworthy condition. 

FREE Supporting Example Policy Template

We are the only provider of driver defect books that provide as standard a FREE comprehensive example policy template full of instructions, procedures and protocols to help you communicate the introduction of your updated defect reporting systems.

Costs per book for PRO TECT SOLUTIONS Members (deliver charges apply)

Orders of 50 books or less – £3.90+VAT per book (minimum order 20 books)

Orders over 50 books – £3.70+VAT per book 

Orders over 100 books – £3.50+VAT per book 

Orders over 200 books – £3.30+VAT per book 

Costs per book for Non- Members (deliver charges apply)

Orders of 50 books or less – £4.20+VAT per book (minimum order 20 books)

Orders over 50 books – £3.90+VAT per book 

Orders over 100 books – £3.70+VAT per book 

Orders over 200 books – £3.50+VAT per book 

Our bigger, easier to complete, easier to file A5 size books all contain 50 duplicate pages with a full wrap around protective cover.

Re-branding opportunities

We offer a personalised print service.

You can opt to have your own company logo and contact details printed on our Driver Defect Books. 

Interested? Then please get in touch for a free, no obligation quote, call: Barry Hood CMILT on 07925004910

To find out more about our defect books, supporting systems, re-branding opportunities or to discuss how you can access our membership rates and bespoke operator licence compliance packages please call Barry Hood CMILT on 07925004910 or email barry.hood@pro-tect-solutions.com and we will arrange for a consultant to make an appointment at a time to suit your business.

Find out more about the team at PRO T.E.C.T. SOLUTIONS, review our member and non-member testimonials. You can also view all of our Operator Licence compliance services, products and find out more about our trailblazing membership scheme by clicking on our home page www.pro-tect-solutions.com