Free dvir - driver vehicle inspection report
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Free DVIR driver vehicle inspection report (PDF-ready). Pre-trip and post-trip inspection covering brakes, tyres and lights. Download free.
Commercial Director
Key takeaways
- A DVIR is a written record of a pre-trip and post-trip inspection of a commercial motor vehicle. In the US it is mandated by FMCSA under 49 CFR 396.11 and 396.13; in Australia NHVR requires daily inspections under the Heavy Vehicle National Law.
- A written DVIR must be prepared at the end of each day for every commercial motor vehicle operated. The next driver must review the most recent DVIR before driving and verify that any reported defects have been corrected.
- The DVIR must cover service and parking brakes, steering, lights and reflectors, tyres, horn, wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, and emergency equipment. Any defect affecting safety must be corrected before the vehicle returns to service.
- When a defect is corrected, the mechanic signs the verification section to close the loop. The driver, the mechanic and the motor carrier all carry chain-of-responsibility obligations under HVNL Chapter 4 and FMCSA Part 396.
- FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11(c) requires the motor carrier to retain each DVIR for at least 90 days. Many operators keep records for 12 months or longer; NHVR recommends three years to support audit and insurance reviews.
Updated 3 May 2026
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What is a dvir - driver vehicle inspection report?
A DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report) is a written record of a pre-trip and post-trip inspection of a commercial motor vehicle. In the United States, DVIRs are mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under 49 CFR 396.11 and 396.13. Drivers must inspect their vehicle before and after each trip and document the condition of safety-critical components including air brakes, service brakes, tyres and wheels, steering, lights and reflectors, horn, mirrors, windshield and wipers, coupling devices, and emergency equipment. In Australia, similar daily inspection requirements apply under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) for heavy vehicles. The DVIR creates an audit trail of vehicle condition, defect identification and correction.
The DVIR process ensures that defects are identified, reported and corrected before the vehicle returns to service. When a driver reports a defect, the motor carrier must arrange repairs and a mechanic must sign off the correction. The next driver then reviews the previous DVIR before operating the vehicle, creating a continuous chain of accountability between drivers, mechanics and fleet managers. Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), Chapter 4 imposes obligations on every party in the chain of responsibility to ensure vehicles are maintained in a safe condition before use. Section 19 of the WHS Act 2011 places a primary duty of care on the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers. A documented DVIR that captures the condition of every safety-critical component before and after each trip provides the evidence needed to demonstrate compliance with both FMCSA regulations and Australian work health and safety obligations.
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Benefits of using this dvir - driver vehicle inspection report
- Regulatory compliance: meet FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11/396.13 requirements and Australian NHVR daily inspection obligations.
- Early defect detection: systematic pre-trip inspections catch brake, tyre, lighting and steering issues before they cause breakdowns or accidents.
- Driver accountability: the signed report confirms the driver has personally inspected the vehicle and certified its condition.
- Mechanic verification: when defects are corrected, the mechanic sign-off creates a clear chain of responsibility.
- Audit trail: completed DVIRs provide documented evidence for DOT audits, safety investigations and insurance claims.
- Reduced downtime: identifying and correcting minor defects early prevents costly roadside breakdowns and out-of-service orders.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise vehicle checklists in MapTrack, you get:
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- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
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- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
- Monitor odometer and service-interval triggers across your entire fleet.
- Capture fuel receipts and trip logs alongside vehicle inspection data.
- Compare vehicle downtime and repair costs to inform replacement decisions.
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What to include in a dvir - driver vehicle inspection report
This dvir - driver vehicle inspection report covers 8 key areas:
- Vehicle details: date, driver name, vehicle/unit number, licence plate, odometer reading, trip type (pre-trip or post-trip).
- Pre-trip exterior (P/F): tyres/wheels condition and pressure, lights (headlights, tail, brake, turn), mirrors, windshield/wipers, fuel/fluid leaks, body damage, reflectors/reflective tape, coupling devices.
- Pre-trip cab (P/F): gauges and warning lights, horn, seat belt, steering play, service brakes, parking/emergency brake, air brake system pressure and build-up.
- Safety equipment (P/F): fire extinguisher, warning triangles/flares, first aid kit, spare tyre/jack/wrench, load securement.
- Post-trip defects table: item number, description of defect, severity (minor/major).
- Defect certification: driver statement that defects need not be corrected or have been corrected.
- Mechanic verification: mechanic name, signature and date confirming corrections.
- Driver declaration and sign-off: certification that the vehicle has been inspected and is/is not safe to operate.
How to use this dvir - driver vehicle inspection report
- Complete the vehicle details section - date, driver name, vehicle/unit number, licence plate, odometer and trip type.: Record the exact odometer reading and confirm the vehicle unit number matches the assigned vehicle. Note whether this is a pre-trip or post-trip inspection. Use 24-hour time format for consistency.
- Conduct the pre-trip exterior walk-around. Inspect tyres, lights, mirrors, windshield, body and coupling devices. Mark Pass or Fail for each item.: Start at the driver door and walk clockwise around the vehicle. Check each tyre for tread depth, inflation and sidewall damage. Confirm all lights illuminate and mirrors are secure. Inspect coupling devices for wear and proper engagement.
- Complete the pre-trip cab inspection. Check gauges, horn, seat belt, steering, brakes (service, parking, air system). Mark Pass or Fail.: Start the engine and verify all gauges read within normal range. Test the horn, check the seat belt latch, and turn the steering wheel to feel for excessive play. Apply the service brake and confirm firm pedal feel. Build air pressure to governor cut-out.
- Verify safety equipment - fire extinguisher, warning devices, first aid kit, spare tyre and load securement.: Confirm the fire extinguisher is fully charged and within its service date. Check that three warning triangles or flares are present and accessible. Inspect the first aid kit contents and verify the spare tyre is inflated and serviceable.
- After the trip, record any defects noted during operation in the post-trip defects table with severity ratings.: Document each defect with a clear description, location on the vehicle and severity rating (minor or major). Include any unusual noises, vibrations, warning lights or handling issues observed during the trip.
- Complete the defect certification - confirm whether defects need correction or have been corrected. If corrected, the mechanic must sign.: If defects were reported, the motor carrier must certify that repairs have been completed or that no repair is needed. The mechanic performing the repair signs and dates the verification section to close the defect loop.
- Sign the driver declaration certifying the inspection has been completed and the vehicle is or is not safe to operate.: The driver signs the declaration to confirm they personally performed the inspection, reviewed the previous DVIR, and certify the vehicle condition. Retain the completed report for a minimum of 90 days per FMCSA requirements.
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Under FMCSA regulations, a DVIR must be completed at the end of each day's work for every commercial motor vehicle operated. The pre-trip inspection must be completed before the vehicle is driven. If a previous driver reported defects, the current driver must verify that corrections have been made (or are not needed) before departing. In Australia, NHVR requires daily inspections of heavy vehicles before first use each day. Best practice is to complete both a pre-trip and post-trip inspection, even if only one is legally required, to catch defects early and maintain a continuous record of vehicle condition.
Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:
- FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11 - Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports
- FMCSA 49 CFR 396.13 - Driver inspection
- Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) Chapter 4
- WHS Act 2011 (Section 19 - Primary duty of care)
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