About This Form

ATVs and UTVs are essential ranch tools but are involved in hundreds of fatalities annually. A quick pre-ride inspection takes just 5 minutes and can prevent accidents and breakdowns. This form follows the T-CLOCS inspection method adapted for ranch use.

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ATV/UTV PRE-RIDE SAFETY INSPECTION

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T - TIRES AND WHEELS

Tires

Item	Front Left	Front Right	Rear Left	Rear Right
Pressure (PSI)	_____ / _____	_____ / _____	_____ / _____	_____ / _____
Tread depth OK	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
No cuts or damage	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
No bulges or bubbles	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
No embedded objects	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]

Spec: Front PSI: _______ Rear PSI: _______ (Check door/frame sticker)

Wheels

Item	OK	Needs Attention
All lug nuts tight	[ ]	[ ]
No bent or cracked rims	[ ]	[ ]
No excessive rust or corrosion	[ ]	[ ]
Valve stems intact	[ ]	[ ]
Valve caps in place	[ ]	[ ]

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C - CONTROLS

Handlebars/Steering (ATV) or Steering Wheel (UTV)

Item	OK	Needs Attention
Steering responds without binding	[ ]	[ ]
No excessive play in steering	[ ]	[ ]
Grips secure (ATV)	[ ]	[ ]
Steering wheel tight (UTV)	[ ]	[ ]

Throttle

Item	OK	Needs Attention
Throttle moves freely	[ ]	[ ]
Throttle returns to idle when released	[ ]	[ ]
No sticking at any position	[ ]	[ ]
Cable not frayed or damaged	[ ]	[ ]

Brakes

Item	OK	Needs Attention	STOP - DO NOT RIDE
Front brake lever/pedal firm	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Rear brake firm	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Brake fluid at proper level	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
No brake fluid leaks	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Parking brake holds	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Brake pads adequate (visual check)	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]

Clutch (If Equipped)

Item	OK	Needs Attention
Clutch engages smoothly	[ ]	[ ]
Clutch disengages fully	[ ]	[ ]
Cable not frayed (if cable type)	[ ]	[ ]

Shift Lever/Selector

Item	OK	Needs Attention
Shifts into all gears	[ ]	[ ]
Gear indicator accurate	[ ]	[ ]
Shift pattern visible/readable	[ ]	[ ]

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L - LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL

Lights

Item	OK	Needs Attention	N/A
Headlight(s) high beam	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Headlight(s) low beam	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Taillight(s)	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Brake light(s)	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Turn signals (if equipped)	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Warning/hazard lights	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Work lights (if equipped)	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]

Electrical

Item	OK	Needs Attention
Battery secured	[ ]	[ ]
Battery terminals clean/tight	[ ]	[ ]
Ignition switch operates correctly	[ ]	[ ]
Kill switch functions	[ ]	[ ]
Horn functions (if equipped)	[ ]	[ ]
All gauges read correctly	[ ]	[ ]
No warning lights on dashboard	[ ]	[ ]

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O - OIL AND FLUIDS

Engine Oil

Item	OK	Needs Attention
Oil level at proper mark	[ ]	[ ]
Oil appearance normal (not milky or gritty)	[ ]	[ ]
No oil leaks visible	[ ]	[ ]

Coolant (If Liquid-Cooled)

Item	OK	Needs Attention	N/A
Coolant level adequate	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
No coolant leaks	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Radiator clear of debris	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Hoses not cracked or leaking	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]

Fuel

Item	OK	Needs Attention
Fuel level adequate for planned use	[ ]	[ ]
No fuel leaks or smell	[ ]	[ ]
Fuel cap seals properly	[ ]	[ ]
Fuel lines not cracked	[ ]	[ ]

Other Fluids

Item	OK	Needs Attention	N/A
Brake fluid level	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Differential fluid (visual for leaks)	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Transmission fluid (if separate)	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]

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C - CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION

Frame

Item	OK	Needs Attention	STOP - DO NOT RIDE
No visible frame cracks	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
No severe rust or corrosion	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Welds intact	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Footrests/running boards secure	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]

Suspension

Item	OK	Needs Attention
No visible damage to shocks/struts	[ ]	[ ]
No leaking shock fluid	[ ]	[ ]
A-arms/control arms not bent	[ ]	[ ]
Ball joints not excessively worn	[ ]	[ ]
Springs not broken	[ ]	[ ]

Drive System

Item	OK	Needs Attention
Drive belt not cracked/worn (visual)	[ ]	[ ]
Chain tension correct (if equipped)	[ ]	[ ]
Chain lubricated (if equipped)	[ ]	[ ]
CV boots intact (no tears or grease spray)	[ ]	[ ]
No unusual noise when rolling	[ ]	[ ]

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S - STANDS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT

UTV Specific

Item	OK	Needs Attention	STOP - DO NOT RIDE
ROPS/roll cage intact	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
ROPS mounting bolts tight	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Seat belts present and functional	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Seat belt latches secure	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Doors/nets in place (if equipped)	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]
Passenger capacity posted/known	[ ]	[ ]	[ ]

ATV Specific

Item	OK	Needs Attention
Seat secure	[ ]	[ ]
Grab handles secure (if equipped)	[ ]	[ ]
Fenders not cracked or loose	[ ]	[ ]

General Safety Items

Item	OK	Needs Attention
First aid kit on board	[ ]	[ ]
Tool kit on board	[ ]	[ ]
Cell phone/communication device	[ ]	[ ]
Fire extinguisher (optional but recommended)	[ ]	[ ]

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OPERATOR READINESS

Personal Protective Equipment

Item	Wearing	Need to Get
DOT-approved helmet	[ ]	[ ]
Eye protection (goggles or face shield)	[ ]	[ ]
Long pants	[ ]	[ ]
Over-the-ankle boots	[ ]	[ ]
Gloves	[ ]	[ ]
Long sleeves (recommended)	[ ]	[ ]

Operator Verification

Item	Yes
I am trained to operate this vehicle	[ ]
I am familiar with this specific vehicle	[ ]
I know the terrain I will be covering	[ ]
Someone knows where I am going and when to expect me back	[ ]
I have not consumed alcohol or impairing medications	[ ]
I am physically capable of operating this vehicle today	[ ]

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TEST RIDE (Conduct in safe, open area)

Function	OK	Needs Attention
Engine starts normally	[ ]	[ ]
Idles smoothly	[ ]	[ ]
Throttle response smooth	[ ]	[ ]
Brakes stop vehicle promptly	[ ]	[ ]
Steering responds correctly	[ ]	[ ]
Transmission shifts properly	[ ]	[ ]
No unusual sounds	[ ]	[ ]
No unusual vibrations	[ ]	[ ]
4WD engages (if testing)	[ ]	[ ]

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INSPECTION RESULT

Vehicle Status

[ ] READY TO RIDE — All items pass inspection

[ ] NEEDS ATTENTION — Minor issues noted, safe for limited use (Schedule repairs soon)

[ ] DO NOT RIDE — Safety issues identified, repair before operating

Issues Requiring Attention

Issue	Severity	Estimated Repair

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OPERATOR CERTIFICATION

I have completed this safety inspection and confirm:

[ ] Vehicle is in safe operating condition OR issues have been reported
[ ] I have appropriate PPE for today's ride
[ ] I understand safe operating procedures for this vehicle
[ ] I am authorized and competent to operate this vehicle

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ATV/UTV SAFETY REMINDERS

``` ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ REMEMBER BEFORE EVERY RIDE ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ - HELMET ALWAYS - even for "quick" trips ║ ║ - NO EXTRA RIDERS on ATVs - they're designed for ONE ║ ║ - SEAT BELTS in UTVs - ROPS only work if you stay inside ║ ║ - MATCH SPEED TO TERRAIN - what you can't see can hurt you ║ ║ - NEVER ride on public roads unless specifically legal ║ ║ - TELL SOMEONE your plans and expected return time ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ ```

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TexasRanchSafety.com | Keeping Texas Ranchers Safe

This inspection should be completed before each use. Keep copies on file for maintenance tracking and insurance documentation.