Abbreviation: DVIR
Driver Vehicle Inspection Report
A written report completed by a CDL driver before and after each trip documenting the vehicle's condition and any defects found.
Required under 49 CFR Part 396. Pre-trip inspection must be completed before each trip; post-trip after. Carriers must repair safety-affecting defects before the vehicle is used again. The driver must review the previous day's post-trip DVIR and sign it if defects were noted and repaired. DVIR records must be kept for 3 months.
What must be inspected
The DVIR must cover all parts and accessories specified in 49 CFR 396.11, including: service brakes, parking brake, steering mechanism, lighting and reflectors, tires, horn, windshield wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, and emergency equipment. Any defect that affects safe operation must be noted. If no defects are found, the driver certifies the vehicle was inspected and found in satisfactory condition.
Carrier responsibilities
The carrier must ensure a qualified mechanic reviews and signs the DVIR when a defect is reported. The mechanic certifies the defect was repaired or that repair is not needed. Safety-affecting defects must be repaired before the vehicle operates. The next driver must review and sign the previous post-trip DVIR before departing if defects were noted.
Recordkeeping
DVIR records must be retained at the carrier's principal place of business for 3 months from the date of inspection. If the vehicle is leased, the lessee must maintain the records. DVIR records are reviewed during FMCSA compliance audits and roadside inspections. Missing or unsigned DVIRs are a common inspection violation.
Last updated: May 28, 2026
When this definition matters
This term usually matters when a driver, owner-operator, or small carrier is deciding whether a federal rule applies, preparing a compliance file, or checking a state CDL step. Use this definition as a starting point, then confirm the controlling requirement in the official source listed below before making a licensing, hiring, dispatch, or recordkeeping decision.
The related terms above are included because they often appear in the same compliance workflow. Reviewing them together can prevent common mix-ups, such as treating a state licensing step as a federal carrier obligation or confusing a driver record with a separate employer record.