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.
Built and reviewed by the FleetOpsClub research team. Preview it free below. Enter your name and email to unlock the full template and the editable spreadsheet — a CSV that opens in Excel, Google Sheets, or Numbers.
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What you get
- 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
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.
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
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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.
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