Health, safety and roadworthiness of the vehicle
Roadworthiness is checked by the driver every day; the annual PSV test does not remove that duty. The walkaround check takes roughly 10–15 minutes and is done before the vehicle is first used, in good light, with the result entered in the defect book - including a nil-defect report.
Cover tyres and pressures, lights and indicators, mirrors, wipers and washers, brake and air-pressure build-up, warning lamps, doors and emergency exits, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, bodywork and fluid leaks.
Tyre law: PCV tyres need at least 1 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of the breadth and around the whole circumference, with no cuts over 25 mm, bulges, or exposed cords. The 1.6 mm figure is the car standard - a classic distractor.
Safety-critical defects - brakes, steering, tyres with exposed cords, a door that will not latch - mean the vehicle must not be used until repaired and is declared off road.
Health: the eyesight standard is visual acuity of 6/7.5 in the better eye and 6/60 in the other with an adequate field of view; you must read a number plate at 20 m, wearing lenses if you need them. Medicals fall due at 45, then every five years until 65, then annually. Declare notifiable conditions, drowsiness-causing medicines, alcohol and drugs. Fatigue management is part of the same duty.
Worked example: during the walkaround you find a 30 mm sidewall cut with cords visible. The vehicle is off road and the operator informed - you do not 'keep an eye on it' and set off.