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Daily Vehicle Inspection/Maintenance and Operation Management & Roll-Call (Tenko)

Automobile Transportation · 自動車運送業 · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

Legal Duty of Daily Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Operation Implementation

Under Article 47-2 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act, users or drivers of commercial motor vehicles (trucks, taxis, and buses) are legally required to perform prescribed daily vehicle inspections 'once a day, before starting operations.'

Unlike private passenger cars, commercial vehicles (green plates) travel long distances carrying heavy cargo or passengers, where even a minor mechanical defect can cause a major disaster; skipping the daily pre-trip inspection is never permitted.

Daily inspection is carried out carefully according to the daily inspection checklist using your senses—looking with your eyes, listening for abnormal sounds, smelling for unusual odors, and feeling movement with your hands and feet—along with tools such as an inspection hammer and tire pressure gauge.

Before starting the inspection, park the vehicle on a flat, safe surface, firmly apply the parking brake, and place wheel chocks so the vehicle cannot roll.

If you find any abnormality such as a burned-out lamp, tire damage, or an oil or air leak, never depart as is; immediately report to the Operation Manager and Maintenance Manager for repair or vehicle replacement instructions.

Legal Duty of Daily Vehicle Inspection and Pre-Operation Implementation

Key points


  • Daily inspection of commercial vehicles is a legal duty required 'once a day, before starting operations'

  • Park on level ground, set the parking brake, apply wheel chocks, and inspect using your senses and proper tools

  • If any defect is found, do not depart—immediately report to the Operation Manager and Maintenance Manager
WordMeaning
daily vehicle inspection
Road Transport Vehicle Act
maintenance manager
wheel chock

Engine Compartment Inspection (Oil, Coolant, Brake Fluid, Belts, and Battery)

When inspecting the engine compartment before starting the engine, pull out the oil dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth, reinsert it fully, and pull it out again to check that the engine oil level is between the upper (MAX) and lower (MIN) marks and free of leaks or severe contamination.

Check the engine coolant level while the engine is cold by looking at the reserve tank from the outside to verify that the fluid is between FULL and LOW. Low coolant directly causes engine overheating and vehicle fires.

Never open the radiator cap while the engine is hot, because high-pressure steam and boiling water will spray out and cause severe burns.

Visually inspect the brake fluid level in the brake reservoir tank and the windshield washer fluid level. A sudden drop in brake fluid indicates a dangerous leak in the brake lines.

Also check the fan belt tension (deflection when pressed with a finger) and inspect for cracks or fraying, and check the battery fluid level as well as terminal tightness and corrosion.

Key points


  • Check engine oil before starting by wiping and reinserting the dipstick to verify the level is between MAX and MIN

  • Check coolant between FULL and LOW on the reserve tank, and never open the radiator cap while hot

  • Inspect brake fluid level, fan belt tension and wear, windshield washer fluid, and battery fluid level
WordMeaning
oil dipstick (oil level gauge)
engine coolant
reserve tank / reservoir
fan belt

Walk-Around Inspection: Lights and Tires (Air Pressure, Cracks, and Tread Depth)

Walk all the way around the vehicle to verify that headlights, turn signals, brake lamps, taillights, backup lamps, hazard lights, and license plate lamps all illuminate or flash properly and that their lenses are clean and unbroken.

When inspecting tires, check with an air gauge or inspection hammer that tire pressure is at the specified level, and inspect the tread and sidewalls for cracks, damage, embedded nails or stones, and uneven wear.

On dual tires (double tires) used on large trucks and buses, low pressure or a puncture in the inner tire is easily overlooked, so carefully check the sound and rebound with an inspection hammer and ensure no stones are wedged between the two tires.

Driving on tires worn down until the 'tread wear indicator (slip sign)' appears is illegal and causes skidding and hydroplaning in the rain, so such tires must never be used.

Under vehicle safety standards, minimum remaining tread depth is 1.6 mm on general roads for standard vehicles (on expressways: 2.4 mm for passenger cars and 3.2 mm for large buses and large trucks), while winter tires require at least 50% of original tread depth (before the platform indicator is exposed).

Key points


  • Check operation and lens condition of headlights, turn signals, brake lamps, taillights, and backup lamps

  • Inspect tire pressure, cracks, foreign objects, uneven wear, and inner dual tires / stones wedged between duals

  • Never use tires showing slip signs (on expressways, large trucks and buses require at least 3.2 mm of tread depth)
WordMeaning
lighting and signaling devices
uneven tire wear
tread wear indicator (slip sign)
dual tires (double wheels)

Preventing Wheel Detachment on Large Vehicles (Lug Nut Inspection and Retorquing)

On large trucks and buses, serious 'wheel detachment accidents'—where wheel bolts snap or lug nuts loosen while driving and a massive runaway wheel strikes pedestrians or oncoming cars—occur frequently, especially in winter.

In particular, modern 'ISO-type wheels (flat-seat lug nuts)' differ from older JIS-type wheels (spherical-seat nuts) in that all wheels use right-hand threads (clockwise to tighten), requiring proper maintenance to prevent initial settling looseness.

During daily inspection, tap each lug nut individually with an inspection hammer while touching it with your finger to check for any 'difference in sound (clear vs. dull tone)' or 'abnormal vibration.'

At the same time, visually check whether the arrows on 'wheel nut indicators (markers)' have shifted out of alignment and whether any 'reddish rust-streaked water trails (sabijiru)' are seeping from around the nuts or wheel hub.

Because wheel detachment accidents spike right after switching to winter tires, you must always perform 'retorquing (mashi-jime)' to the specified torque with a torque wrench 'after driving 50 to 100 km' following any tire change.

Key points


  • Inspect lug nuts using hammer sound, fingertip vibration, nut marker alignment, and signs of rust streaks (sabijiru)

  • Modern ISO-standard wheels use right-hand threads (clockwise to tighten) on both left and right sides of the vehicle

  • Always retorque lug nuts with a torque wrench after driving 50 to 100 km following a tire change
WordMeaning
wheel detachment accident
inspection hammer
rust streaks / rust-stained seepage
retorquing / retightening

Driver's Seat Inspection (Brakes, Air Tank Drain, Steering, and Instruments)

After getting into the driver's seat, start the engine to verify smooth starting without abnormal noise, and confirm that dashboard warning lights (oil pressure, battery charge, brake warning, ABS warning, etc.) go out properly.

On large trucks and buses equipped with air brakes, always check that the air pressure gauge needle rises smoothly into the specified green range and listen for any air leaks from the brake valve.

Because moisture (condensation / drain water) collecting inside the air tank causes valve corrosion and winter freezing that can disable the brakes, pull the drain cock daily to drain condensed water from the air tank.

Depress the brake pedal to check pedal free play (asobi), reserve travel from the floorboard when pressed hard (fumishiro), and pedal feel, and verify parking brake lever travel and holding power.

Also check steering wheel free play and looseness, windshield washer spray and wiper operation, mirror angles (including under-mirrors), horn operation, and defroster function before leaving the depot.

Key points


  • On air-brake vehicles, check air pressure buildup and air leaks, and drain condensed water (gyosui) from the air tank

  • Verify brake pedal free play (asobi), floor clearance (fumishiro), and parking brake lever travel

  • Confirm that dashboard warning lights go out and check steering play, wipers, mirrors, and defroster
WordMeaning
condensed water (in air brake tank)
free play (of pedal or steering wheel)
pedal reserve travel / floor clearance
warning light / indicator

Pre-Shift and Post-Shift Roll Calls (Tenko) by the Operation Manager and Alcohol Detectors

Motor transport operators must appoint a nationally certified 'Operation Manager (Unko Kanrisha)' at each depot to prepare driver rosters, manage rest facilities, supervise drivers, and conduct pre-shift and post-shift 'roll calls (tenko).'

Before starting duty, drivers must undergo a 'pre-shift roll call' in person in principle (or via approved remote/automated roll-call systems) to report and confirm: (1) daily vehicle inspection results, (2) absence of alcohol, and (3) absence of illness, fatigue, or sleep deprivation.

When checking for alcohol, the law requires the Operation Manager both to observe the driver's complexion, breath odor, and voice and to test the driver with an 'alcohol detector (breathalyzer).'

Alcohol detectors must be kept in working order at all times, and if any alcohol whatsoever is detected on a driver's breath, allowing that driver on duty is strictly prohibited.

After finishing duty, the driver undergoes a 'post-shift roll call,' is tested again with the alcohol detector, and reports on the vehicle, road, and operating conditions as well as any handover notifications (tsukoku) if relieved by another driver.

Key points


  • Pre-shift roll call confirms: (1) daily inspection results, (2) absence of alcohol, and (3) absence of illness, fatigue, or lack of sleep

  • Alcohol checks must be performed using both visual observation and a properly maintained alcohol detector

  • Post-shift roll call includes an alcohol test plus reporting on vehicle, road, and operating conditions and driver handovers
WordMeaning
operation manager
roll call / safety check (tenko)
under the influence of alcohol / alcohol on breath
alcohol detector (breathalyzer)

Driver's Log (Unten Nippo), Operation Instruction Sheet, and Tachograph

Whenever a driver goes on duty, they must accurately record in the 'driver's log (jomu kiroku / unten nippo)' the driver's name, vehicle registration number, start and end locations and times, main waypoints, distance driven, and break/sleep locations and times.

On truck runs where in-person intermediate roll calls cannot be conducted and on all chartered bus operations, the driver must carry and follow an 'Operation Instruction Sheet (Unko Shijisho)' specifying the route, arrival/departure times, and rest stops.

If severe weather, road closures, or shipper/passenger requests require changing the route or rest stops listed on the Operation Instruction Sheet, never change them on your own; always contact the Operation Manager for instructions.

Applicable commercial vehicles are legally required to be equipped with an 'operation recorder (tachograph / digital tachograph)' that automatically records driving speed, distance, and operating time.

In addition, 'drive recorders (dashcams)' that record video and audio ahead of and inside the vehicle are widely used not only to determine exact accident causes but also for driver safety training using near-miss footage and crime prevention.

Key points


  • Accurately record start/end locations and times, distance driven, and break locations/times in the driver's log (unten nippo)

  • Always obtain instructions from the Operation Manager before changing any route or rest stop on the Operation Instruction Sheet

  • Tachographs record speed, distance, and time, while drive recorders also support near-miss safety education
WordMeaning
driver's log / duty record
operation instruction sheet
operation recorder (tachograph)
drive recorder (dashcam)

Daily Inspection and Roll Call (Tenko)

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