Template Library > Transport Checklists > DVIR Form
DVIR forms streamline and document pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections. They ensure a comprehensive check by covering all the essential information related to the health and safety of the vehicle.
With a DVIR checklist, you can:
With the GoAudits Vehicle Inspection App, you can:
Easy inspection app for your digital checklists
A Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) form is a document that drivers must fill out before and after operations to ensure the vehicle is safe and in working order. Drivers use these forms to note and report any defects and see to it they are addressed promptly.
DVIR forms are based on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 49 CFR 396.11 and 49 CFR 396.13 laws. They help fleet managers and regulatory authorities monitor the condition of vehicles to ensure overall road safety.
DVIR checklists standardize collecting and organizing information related to vehicles. They allow stakeholders to access accurate inspection data at any point during operations. Over time, DVIRs become a valuable historical record that aids fleet management and maintenance planning.
For drivers, they serve as a standardized document to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections. DVIR forms help them identify and report mechanical issues, safety hazards, or equipment failures that may affect the vehicle’s roadworthiness.
Companies can utilize DVIR forms consistently to address maintenance concerns, reduce the risk of accidents, comply with regulatory requirements, and contribute to the safety of both drivers and the public.
Filling out DVIR checklist templates accurately and consistently offers the following benefits:
These advantages often help fleet management companies reduce the following risks:
👉 DVIR Apps: Discover the best software to digitize DVIRs.
Driver and carrier both are responsible for filling out the DVIR inspection form.
The driver’s responsibilities majorly include performing pre and post-trip inspections. Additionally, they submit a report to the carrier mentioning defects, deficiencies, issues, and repairs they think the vehicle requires before the next operation.
The main task of the carrier involves repairs. Based on the inspection reports submitted by the driver, the carrier needs to determine if a repair is needed for the defects reported.
Furthermore, the carrier has to certify that a mechanic completed the maintenance tasks on the vehicle and that a DVIR was completed for the same. In some instances, a carrier can also note that a repair suggested by the driver is not needed. In either case, the carrier is not exempt from filling out the DVIR.
FMCSR clearly states that carriers need to “review the last driver vehicle inspection report if required” and “be satisfied” that the vehicle is in “safe operating condition.” This means, that even if repairs are not needed, the carrier must still certify on the DVIR form that the vehicle is safe to operate. In all cases, the carrier must keep a copy of the DVIR for at least three months.
DVIRs are legally required in the US, and noncompliance with regulations can lead to severe penalties under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
Furthermore, vehicles considered unsafe by a DOT officer can be removed from the road immediately until a repair is complete, resulting in indirect losses for the transport company.
👉 DOT and FMCSR Compliance Software: Discover the top that will help you comply with DOT regulations.
A comprehensive Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) template includes the following key elements:
Essential Information
Vehicle Components
A detailed vehicle inspection checklist of components should be included with space to indicate the component’s condition. This typically covers brakes, steering, lights, reflectors, horn, windshields, etc.
Defect Reporting
It clearly describes defects found during pre or post-inspections with components like the severity of defects, their location, photos, etc.
Repairs
It consists of information related to repairs performed – description, date, mechanic’s name and signature, carrier and driver’s signatures confirming repairs.
Signatures
Additionally, DVIR template forms may have space for additional comments or observations and an option to rate the overall condition of the vehicle.
Digitize your Vehicle inspections