Vehicle Inspection & DVIR · PDF template
Free Forklift Inspection Checklist
A daily forklift (powered industrial truck) inspection checklist built around the OSHA requirement to examine the truck before each shift — covering both the engine-off visual check and the engine-on operational check.
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 engine-off (visual) and engine-on (operational) check sections
- Sections tailored for both internal-combustion (LP/diesel) and electric units
- Forks, mast, chains, and hydraulic items that affect lift safety
- Operator sign-off and a 'remove from service' decision line
- An ungated, printable format to keep at the charging or fueling station
How to use it
- 1
Inspect the forklift before each shift (and after each shift change) as required by OSHA — examine more often in heavy use.
- 2
Complete the engine-off section first: tires, forks, mast, fluids, and the data plate.
- 3
Start the unit and run the engine-on section: brakes, steering, hydraulics, horn, and warning devices.
- 4
If any item is unsafe, tag and remove the forklift from service until it's repaired — do not operate it.
- 5
Record the operator name, hour-meter reading, and sign; file the completed sheet.
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
Forklift Inspection Checklist
Engine-Off Visual Check
- Tires for wear, cuts, and proper inflation (pneumatic)
- Forks for cracks, bends, and even heel wear
- Mast, lift chains, and rollers
- Hydraulic hoses and cylinders for leaks
- Engine oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluid levels (IC)
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Unlock the full template
Enter your name and email to reveal the complete template and download the editable spreadsheet. You can print it, save it as a PDF, or adapt the columns to your own vehicles. It's a fair trade: the preview costs nothing, and the full file costs you about 20 seconds.
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- Every row & section
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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.
OSHA (29 CFR 1910.178) requires powered industrial trucks to be examined before being placed in service, and they may not be used in unsafe condition. In practice that means an inspection at least daily, or before each shift. Verify the current OSHA standard for your operation.
Both. Do the visual items — tires, forks, fluids, leaks — with the engine off, then start the unit to test brakes, steering, hydraulics, and warning devices. This checklist separates the two so nothing is missed.
Remove it from service immediately, tag it so no one else operates it, and don't return it to use until the defect is repaired. Operating a powered industrial truck in unsafe condition is a violation and a serious hazard.
The power-source section differs — electric units focus on the battery, connector, and charge level, while LP/diesel units focus on the tank, fuel, and filters. The forks, mast, brakes, and steering checks are the same across both.
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