THE FMCSA has rescinded the requirement that CMV drivers operating in interstate commerce, except drivers of passenger carrying CMSVs, submit, and motor carriers retain, DVIRs when the driver has neither found nor been made aware of any vehicle defects or deficiencies. If deficiencies are found, or if operating a passenger carrying CMV, drivers are required to prepare a written inspection report for each vehicle or intermodal equipment at the completion of each day’s work. The report must contain at least the following components:
Motor Vehicles.
- Service brakes, including brake connections.
- Parking brake.
- Steering mechanism.
- Lighting devices and reflectors.
- Tires.
- Horn.
- Windshield wipers.
- Rear vision mirrors.
- Coupling devices.
- Wheels and rims.
- Emergency equipment.
Intermodal Equipment.
- King pin upper coupling device
- Rails or support frames
- Tie down bolsters
- Locking pins, clevises, clamps, or hooks
- Sliders or sliding frame lock
- Wheels, rims, lugs, tires
- Lighting devices, lamps, markers, and conspicuity marking material
- Air line connections, hoses, and couplers
- Brakes
The driver must list any defect that would affect the safety of operation or would result in a mechanical breakdown. If no defects are discovered, the driver must so indicate on the report. In all instances, the driver must sign the report, except that, in team operations, only one driver needs to sign the report, provided both drivers agree as to the defects or deficiencies.
Any defects likely to affect the safety of operation must be repaired and the motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider must certify on the report that the defects have been corrected or that correction is unnecessary before the vehicle or intermodal equipment is dispatched again. This report must be retained for three months from the date the report was prepared.
Form 7-1, “Driver Vehicle Inspection Report” and form Form 7-1B “Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (Bus)”, are examples of typical driver vehicle inspection forms. It can be found at the end of this chapter. This form may be changed, but it should contain the required items to be inspected and the proper driver signatures and certifications.
