Vehicle Inspection & DVIR · PDF template
Free Brake Inspection Checklist
A brake-system inspection checklist covering both air and hydraulic brakes: friction material, chambers, lines, and the foundation hardware that decides whether a vehicle stops. Use it alongside our fleet calculators to size the costs this template tracks, or browse fleet management software when you are ready to automate the workflow. See all downloads in the template library, and check the fleet glossary for any unfamiliar terms.
Built and reviewed by the FleetOpsClub research team. Preview it free below.
- Separate air-brake and hydraulic-brake check sections
- Friction material, drum/rotor, and slack-adjuster / pushrod travel items
- Air-system checks: leak-down, governor cut-in/out, and low-pressure warning
- ABS, parking brake, and brake-balance checks
- Editable CSV. Yours to keep
- Print or save as PDF
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How to use it
- 1
Have a qualified technician perform the brake check: measuring lining thickness and pushrod travel requires the right tools.
- 2
For air brakes, run the leak-down, governor, and low-air warning tests with the engine off and the system charged.
- 3
Inspect friction material, drums or rotors, chambers, and hoses at each wheel position.
- 4
Verify the parking brake holds and the ABS lamp cycles and clears.
- 5
Log measurements and any out-of-adjustment finding; correct before the vehicle returns to service.
What's inside
- Separate air-brake and hydraulic-brake check sections
- Friction material, drum/rotor, and slack-adjuster / pushrod travel items
- Air-system checks: leak-down, governor cut-in/out, and low-pressure warning
- ABS, parking brake, and brake-balance checks
- An ungated, printable format for a technician-led brake check
Preview the template
Here's a real sample of the layout — the actual columns and structure you'll work in. The complete template, plus the editable spreadsheet, unlocks the moment you enter your email.
Preview
Brake Inspection Checklist
Air Brake System
- Governor cut-in and cut-out pressures within range
- Air pressure build-up time acceptable
- Static and applied leak-down within limits
- Low-air warning activates at correct pressure
- Spring brakes apply when pressure drops
+1 more item in this section
Hydraulic Brake System
+5 more items in this section
Foundation Brakes (each wheel)
+6 more items in this section
ABS & Parking Brake
+5 more items in this section
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions buyers usually ask once the category, software, or rollout details start getting more specific.
Drivers should check brake function on every pre-trip; a deeper technician-level brake inspection belongs in the preventive-maintenance interval and at the annual DOT inspection. Severe-duty and heavy-load operations warrant more frequent checks.
Air systems add governor, leak-down, low-air warning, and spring-brake tests, plus pushrod-travel measurement at each chamber. Hydraulic systems focus on fluid, master cylinder, lines, and pedal feel. This checklist covers both so it fits mixed fleets.
Out-of-service criteria cover things like linings below minimum, pushrod travel beyond the adjustment limit, leaks, and a defective number of brakes on the vehicle. The exact thresholds are defined in the CVSA out-of-service criteria. Verify the current version.
A driver can verify brake function, pedal feel, low-air warning, and parking-brake hold. Measuring lining thickness and pushrod travel and assessing drums/rotors should be done by a qualified technician.