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POLIT TRANSPORT LTDTRANSPORT SAFETY
Version 3.4 · August 2026

HGV DRIVER SAFETY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Safety & Compliance

These are the minimum safety rules for every shift in England, Scotland and Wales. Read every requirement and confirm it only when you understand and agree to follow it. For Northern Ireland or international work, obtain the additional local instructions before starting. Where a customer-site or task-specific rule is stricter, the stricter safe rule applies.

STOP WORK AUTHORITYNo delivery, deadline or instruction overrides safety or the law. If anything appears unsafe, illegal or unclear, stop safely and contact the transport office before continuing.
TRANSPORT OFFICE0117 486 9390For urgent safety advice, defects, incidents or an unsafe instruction. Call 999 first for immediate danger.SIGNED FORM · SAVE OR SHARE AFTER COMPLETION
01

Driver details

Name, surname and date are required

02 · MANDATORY CONFIRMATIONS

Driver safety rules & risk controls

Tick every point only after reading it. If you do not understand a requirement, contact the transport office before signing.

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01
A · Responsibility & competence

Personal legal and safety responsibility

Drive safely and legally and take reasonable care of yourself and everyone affected by your work. Follow the Highway Code, company procedures and applicable site controls. You remain responsible for the vehicle while driving or using it.

02
A · Responsibility & competence

Stop-work authority and time pressure

No delivery, collection, deadline or instruction overrides safety or the law. If the vehicle, load, site, task or instruction appears unsafe or illegal, stop in a safe place, make the situation safe where possible and contact the transport office before continuing.

03
A · Responsibility & competence

Dynamic risk assessment

Before starting an unfamiliar task, and whenever conditions change, check the people, vehicle, load, equipment, ground, traffic, weather and escape route. Do not continue until significant risks are controlled.

04
A · Responsibility & competence

Training, competence and safety devices

Only drive a vehicle or use equipment for which you are licensed, trained, competent and authorised. Follow the safe system of work and never bypass, remove, misuse or interfere with guards, alarms, cameras, interlocks, restraints or any other safety device. Report defects and ask the office or site supervisor if unsure.

05
A · Responsibility & competence

Customer-site rules and cooperation

Complete required inductions and obey site traffic plans, signs, speed limits, pedestrian routes, exclusion zones and emergency arrangements. Where a site rule is stricter, follow it unless it would be unsafe or illegal; then stop and escalate.

06
B · Fitness, hours & records

Licence, Driver CPC and driver card

Keep the correct driving entitlement valid and available. Where required for the assigned vehicle and journey, also keep Driver CPC and tachograph-card requirements valid and available. Immediately report expiry, loss, suspension, restriction, endorsements or any other change that may affect authorisation to drive. Do not drive until authorised if validity is uncertain.

07
B · Fitness, hours & records

Medical fitness and eyesight

Meet DVLA medical and eyesight standards and wear prescribed glasses or contact lenses. Notify DVLA of any medical condition where the law requires it and follow medical or DVLA restrictions. Promptly tell the company if your fitness or entitlement to drive is affected; you do not need to disclose unrelated medical details.

08
B · Fitness, hours & records

Alcohol, drugs and medication

Never drive or work while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, misuse of substances or medication. Check warnings and obtain professional advice where needed. Tell the office before duty if any medicine or condition could affect alertness, coordination or judgement.

09
B · Fitness, hours & records

Fatigue, sleep and illness

Start duty adequately rested and fit. Never continue because of schedule or customer pressure when sleepy, exhausted or unwell; stop safely and tell the transport office. Breaks and legal limits do not guarantee fitness if fatigue is present.

10
B · Fitness, hours & records

Drivers' hours, breaks and rest

Comply with the drivers' hours rules that apply to the journey, including driving limits, breaks and daily and weekly rest. Never agree to, create or conceal an infringement. Notify the office early if the plan cannot be completed legally.

11
B · Fitness, hours & records

Working Time, night work and other employment

Accurately account for driving, other work, availability, breaks and rest, including work for another operator or employer. Comply with applicable Road Transport Working Time and night-work arrangements and disclose outside work that affects legal limits or fitness.

12
B · Fitness, hours & records

Tachograph use and manual entries

Where tachograph rules apply, insert and use only your own driver card, select the correct mode and make complete manual entries for other work, availability, rest and off-vehicle activity as required. Never record vehicle checks, loading, unloading, paperwork or other work as break or rest; record waiting time according to the rules that apply. Check the unit is recording and report errors or infringements promptly.

13
B · Fitness, hours & records

Mobile phones, devices and distraction

Never hold or use a handheld phone or device while driving, including while stationary in traffic. Set navigation before moving; do not type, photograph, message or handle paperwork while driving. Hands-free use must be minimal—park safely before any distracting communication.

14
B · Fitness, hours & records

Seat belt, passengers, smoking and cab safety

Wear the seat belt whenever driving and ensure any authorised passenger is restrained. Do not carry unauthorised passengers. Smoking is prohibited in any shared work vehicle and vaping is prohibited by company policy. Keep windows, steps, footwell, pedals and controls clear and secure loose items.

15
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Daily roadworthiness and walkaround check

LEGAL REQUIREMENT — BEFORE USING THE VEHICLE: You must carry out a meaningful walkaround check before using the HGV or trailer on a public road. If a trained, authorised responsible person performed it, you must see evidence that the check was completed and the vehicle is free from safety defects before driving.Legal basis: Road Traffic Act 1988, section 40A; Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, regulation 100; and the DVSA Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness. At least one check must be completed in every 24-hour period the vehicle is in service, and each different trailer must be checked. You remain legally responsible for the condition of the vehicle while using it. Record the result and report defects in writing. Do not use the vehicle or trailer until any safety defect is rectified.

16
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Meaningful check of tractor and trailer

Check all accessible safety items, including lights, markers, tyres, wheels and nuts, brakes and air, steering, mirrors and cameras, glass, wipers, fluids and leaks, bodywork, doors, spray suppression, coupling, electrical and air lines, landing legs, number plates, height indicator, load and securing equipment.

17
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Record and report every check and defect

Record the check result in the approved system, including a nil-defect result when company procedure requires it. Report in writing every defect found before use, during the journey or at the end of duty, with enough detail for assessment and repair. Never hide, delete or falsely clear a defect.

18
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Safety-critical defects and rectification

Do not use or continue with an unroadworthy vehicle or trailer or a defect that affects safe operation. Stop safely and report it. Continue only after suitable repair or competent assessment and a recorded release confirming roadworthiness; an office instruction alone cannot make an unsafe vehicle roadworthy. If DVSA or police issue a prohibition, comply with its terms.

19
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Safe coupling and uncoupling

Use the trained procedure on firm, level ground where possible. Apply tractor and trailer parking brakes, confirm coupling height, visually check fifth-wheel jaw engagement, fit the safety device, complete a tug test, connect lines correctly, raise and secure landing legs, and complete a final walkaround.

20
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Safe stop, parking and runaway prevention

Before leaving the seat, allowing anyone to approach or making an adjustment, apply the parking brake, place controls in neutral, switch off power and remove or isolate the key unless an authorised procedure requires otherwise. Secure tractor and trailer and use chocks or restraints where required. Never make an unauthorised repair or go beneath a raised cab, body or trailer without competent maintenance controls and approved supports.

21
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Vehicle height and bridge-strike prevention

Know the actual overall height of the vehicle, trailer and load. After changing trailer or load, measure where necessary and set the in-cab height indicator correctly; vehicles over 3 metres must display it. Plan around low bridges and stop before a restriction if clearance is uncertain.

22
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Weight, axle limits and vehicle suitability

Use a vehicle and trailer suitable for the load and never exceed gross, axle, plated or site limits. Check load distribution and available weight information. If weight, axle loading, dimensions or suitability cannot be confirmed, do not depart until the office resolves it.

23
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Route planning and restrictions

Use an HGV-suitable route and check height, width, length, weight, access, road and environmental restrictions before departure. Never follow sat-nav blindly. Stop safely and contact the office rather than enter an unsuitable road, bridge, tunnel, yard or delivery point.

24
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Breakdown and roadside safety

If possible, leave the motorway or reach a place of relative safety, switch on hazard lights and contact recovery and the office. If stranded in a live lane, switch on hazard lights and call 999 immediately. Exit away from traffic and get well behind a barrier only if it is safe; otherwise remain inside with seat belts fastened and follow emergency-service instructions. Never place a warning triangle on a motorway.

25
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Weather and road conditions

Adjust speed, distance and manoeuvres for rain, fog, snow, ice, flooding, wind, heat and poor visibility. Take particular care with high-sided, lightly loaded or empty trailers. Stop in a safe place when conditions make continued driving or site work unsafe.

26
C · Vehicle & roadworthiness

Safe driving and vulnerable road users

Obey legal and site speed limits, maintain a safe following distance and use mirrors, direct observation and blind-spot aids correctly. Take extra care around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children and road workers. Never assume you have been seen or rely on technology alone.

27
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Yard traffic and pedestrians

Use only authorised vehicle and pedestrian routes and keep out of moving-vehicle and materials-handling equipment zones. Approach blind corners, crossings, gates and bays slowly. Stop if a pedestrian, vehicle or obstruction enters the danger area.

28
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Reversing and banksman control

Avoid unnecessary reversing and assess the full route, blind spots, people, structures and overhead hazards. Use GOAL—Get Out And Look—when unsure and use a trained banksman where required. Agree signals and stop immediately if the banksman disappears from view or instructions are unclear.

29
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Loading and unloading safety

Use a designated area that is stable and suitable. Apply brakes and required stabilisers and follow bay lights, dock levellers, restraints, chocks, key-control and exclusion-zone procedures. Stay clear of moving forklifts, falling goods and suspended loads unless your role requires you to be there and controls are in place.

30
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Safe waiting and drive-away prevention

Report to the correct person and wait only in the designated safe area when not involved in loading. Follow key surrender, air-line or Susie-lock, restraint, wheel-chock or other immobilisation systems. Confirm loading is complete, people and equipment are clear and authority to depart has been given before moving.

31
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Load distribution and security

All loads must be stable and secured for the vehicle, load type and journey. Check the load platform, headboard, anchor points, restraints and distribution. Ordinary curtains are not load restraint; a certified XL-rated body may contribute only within its certificate and approved loading conditions. Use separate suitable restraints whenever those conditions are not met, and never depart with an insecure, overweight or unstable load.

32
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Load checks during the journey

Recheck security when safe and required, especially after initial movement, harsh conditions, partial deliveries or load changes. If a load moves or a restraint fails, stop safely, keep people away and obtain a safe recovery or re-securing plan. Do not open the vehicle merely to investigate an unstable load.

33
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Trailer doors, curtains and load shift

Before releasing doors, curtains, straps or bars, assess whether the load may have shifted and identify the fall zone. Open from a protected position, keep others clear and secure doors and curtains against wind. Do not use damaged restraints or stand where the load or equipment can strike you.

34
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Safe access and falls from vehicles

Use three points of contact and approved steps, platforms or access equipment; never jump from the cab or trailer. Avoid climbing onto vehicles or loads. Where work at height cannot be avoided, use the trained method and required fall prevention or protection before starting.

35
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Manual handling

Avoid unnecessary manual lifting and use suitable mechanical help where available. Assess the weight, shape, grip, route and your ability; use a safe technique and get assistance for heavy, unstable or awkward items. Stop if the task cannot be handled safely.

36
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Tail lifts, pallet trucks and other work equipment

Use equipment only when trained and authorised. Complete pre-use checks, obey capacity limits, use stabilisers and guards and keep people clear of trapping and fall zones. Never ride equipment unless it is specifically designed for ride-on use and you are trained and authorised for it. Isolate, secure and report defective equipment immediately.

37
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Company minimum when outside the cab in an operational yard, warehouse or loading area is suitable safety footwear and high-visibility clothing. Wear a hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection or other PPE when required by the site, task or risk assessment. Where the PPE at Work Regulations apply, required PPE is provided free and maintained or replaced by the employer; use it correctly, care for it and immediately report anything missing, unsuitable or damaged.

38
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Overhead hazards and restricted clearances

Check for overhead power lines, canopies, doors, gantries, branches and lifting equipment before raising a body, tail lift, crane, mast or load or entering a restricted area. Maintain required clearances and use a banksman or isolation controls where specified. Stop if clearance is uncertain.

39
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Slips, trips and housekeeping

Keep the cab, steps, catwalk, trailer floor and work area clear of loose items, ice, oil, water and other contamination where possible. Use designated walkways and handholds and report damaged surfaces or lighting. Wear suitable footwear and do not rush.

40
D · Workplace, loading & equipment

Refuelling, fire and spills

Switch off the engine before refuelling, prevent ignition sources, do not smoke or vape and follow site fuel, AdBlue and spill procedures. Do not improvise with leaks or hazardous substances. Raise the alarm, move to safety and call emergency services for a fire, significant spill or immediate danger.

41
E · Incidents, security & reporting

Collisions, injuries, damage and near misses

Stop in a place of relative safety, protect people, call emergency services when needed and inform the transport office as soon as practicable. Give the legally required name, address, vehicle-owner details and registration; if details are not exchanged, report to police as soon as reasonably practicable and within 24 hours. If another person is injured and the insurance certificate is not produced at the scene, report to police as soon as possible and within 24 hours, then produce the certificate within seven days. Collect evidence only when safe, give truthful facts and do not speculate or accept blame.

42
E · Incidents, security & reporting

Lone working, personal and load security

Follow check-in and emergency arrangements, use safe authorised parking and secure the vehicle, trailer, keys, cards, documents and load. Do not confront aggressive people or suspected thieves; withdraw to safety and contact police or the office. Follow seal and clandestine-entrant checks when applicable and never carry an unauthorised person.

43
E · Incidents, security & reporting

Food, temperature-controlled and sealed loads — when assigned

When assigned such a load, follow hygiene, contamination, allergen, seal and temperature instructions. Keep the load area suitable, verify refrigeration settings, record required temperatures and report faults or broken seals. Do not enter restricted areas or interfere with sealed goods without authority.

44
E · Incidents, security & reporting

Dangerous goods (ADR) — only when specifically authorised

Do not accept, load or move dangerous goods unless the transport office has specifically authorised the job and all required ADR training or certification, documents, markings, equipment and vehicle conditions are in place. Follow the ADR Instructions in Writing and emergency procedures supplied for the load; this general acknowledgement does not replace them.

45
E · Incidents, security & reporting

Reporting, emergency arrangements and speak-up

Promptly report unsafe conditions, defective equipment, unsafe loading, injuries, damage, near misses, threats and anything affecting legal or safe operation. Follow site alarms, evacuation, first-aid and emergency instructions. Raise genuine concerns without delay; you will not be penalised for reporting a genuine safety concern in good faith. If the answer is unclear, remain stopped and contact the transport office.

03

Driver declaration

Final acknowledgement and signature

I confirm that I have received this information in a language and form I understand, have been able to ask questions, and have read and individually acknowledged all 45 requirements in this POLIT TRANSPORT LTD HGV Driver Safety & Compliance document. I understand my responsibilities and agree to follow applicable law, company procedures, safe systems of work and customer-site controls. I will stop and report any unsafe or illegal condition rather than continue under pressure.

Typing your full name creates your electronic acknowledgement. This page does not automatically transmit or store the completed form. After completion, use “Save or share signed PDF”. The PDF is created on your device. Save it there or use Share to send it through WhatsApp or another approved channel; you choose the recipient. This document supports—but does not replace—suitable risk assessments, training, supervision, maintenance, safe planning, site-specific instruction or the legal duties of the operator, employer, customer, consignor and other dutyholders.

Privacy notice

Controller: POLIT TRANSPORT LTD. Entries stay in this browser unless you save or share the PDF. The company uses a received form to record mandatory safety instruction and transport compliance, based on legal obligations and legitimate interests in safe operations. Completing it is required before the company may authorise assigned HGV work. Access is limited to authorised personnel and information may be shared with advisers, insurers, customers, police or regulators only where necessary. The form is normally retained for six years from signature, and longer only for a live claim, investigation or legal duty; there is no automated decision-making. You may request access, correction, restriction, erasure or objection where applicable by emailing polit.transportltd@gmail.com or calling 0117 486 9390. You may complain to the ICO.

Official guidance: HSE workplace transport; DVSA daily HGV checks; roadworthiness; load security; and drivers' hours.