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DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report)

The report a driver files documenting vehicle defects found during a pre-trip or post-trip inspection.

Also called: Driver vehicle inspection report, Pre-trip / post-trip report

Quick answer

What is DVIR?

A DVIR is a driver vehicle inspection report documenting defects found during a post-trip inspection of a commercial vehicle. Federal rules require a written report only when a defect is found, but the driver must still inspect, and any defect affecting safety must be repaired before the truck runs again.

Last verified by ELD Hub.

What has to be inspected

49 CFR 396.11 lists the parts and accessories a driver must cover. The inspection itself is mandatory at the end of each driving day; the written report is required when a defect or deficiency is discovered.

  • Service brakes, including trailer brake connections
  • Parking brake
  • Steering mechanism
  • Lighting devices and reflectors
  • Tires, wheels, and rims
  • Horn, windshield wipers, and mirrors
  • Coupling devices
  • Emergency equipment

No-defect reports

Since 2014, property-carrying carriers no longer have to file a DVIR when no defect is found. Many carriers still record a no-defect entry voluntarily because it creates a clean, dated audit trail proving the inspection happened. Passenger-carrying operations must still file a report every day regardless of findings.

What happens after a defect is reported

The carrier must repair any defect that affects safe operation before the vehicle is dispatched again, and must certify on the report that the repair was made or that no repair was needed. The next driver must review the prior report and sign that the defects were addressed.

Electronic DVIRs

Filing DVIRs through the driver app attaches the report to the unit and the date automatically, keeps a defect history per truck, and puts the repair certification in the same record. It also removes the classic audit failure where paper reports exist but the repair certification does not.

Example

A driver finds a cracked mirror during the post-trip. The DVIR is filed in the app, the shop replaces the mirror the next morning and certifies the repair in the same record, and the next driver signs off before dispatch. In an audit, that one record shows the defect, the fix, and the review.

Why it matters for a small fleet

Vehicle maintenance produces more out-of-service orders than any other roadside category. DVIR records are what an auditor uses to decide whether your maintenance program is real.

Running 1–20 trucks? Compliance starts at $15/truck/month

ELD Hub is an FMCSA-registered ELD with HOS logs, DVIRs, IFTA, and GPS included. No contract. PT-30 hardware is $150 with free ground shipping, or keep the PT-30 or IOSiX you already own.

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FAQ

Common questions

Is a DVIR required every day?

The inspection is required at the end of each driving day. A written DVIR is required whenever a defect is found. Passenger-carrying carriers must file a report daily regardless of whether defects are found.

How long must DVIRs be kept?

Carriers must retain the original DVIR and the repair certification for at least three months from the date the report was prepared.

Does ELD Hub include DVIRs?

Yes. Electronic DVIRs are part of the $15 per truck per month plan along with HOS logs, IFTA, and GPS tracking. There is no separate maintenance module fee.

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