Motor carriers must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain every commercial vehicle under their control under 49 CFR Part 396, including a written Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) at the end of each day's work, an annual periodic inspection by a qualified inspector, and maintenance records retained for at least 12 months.
Under 396.11, drivers must inspect their vehicle and prepare a written report at the end of each day's work, covering at least the specific systems and components listed in the rule, and noting any defect that would affect safe operation or could cause a mechanical breakdown. The carrier must keep the original DVIR, the certification that any listed defect was repaired, and the certification that the driver reviewed it, for 3 months from the report date.
Every vehicle needs documentation that a periodic (annual) inspection was completed by a qualified inspector within the last 12 months — that record stays at the vehicle's home terminal for a year, and for 6 more months after the vehicle leaves the carrier's control. Separately, a carrier must maintain a maintenance file for any vehicle under its control for 30 or more days (which covers basically every owned or longer-leased truck), and keep preventive maintenance records for at least 12 months from when they were created.
Breakdown Cost Estimator
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Preventive Maintenance Scheduler
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Pre-Trip / Post-Trip DVIR Checklist
49 CFR 396.11 compliant Driver Vehicle Inspection Report with defect tracking.
Yes — the requirement is to prepare a written report at the end of each day's work regardless of outcome, not only when a defect is found. A clean DVIR is still a required record.
DVIRs and their repair/review certifications need to be kept for 3 months from the report date. Preventive maintenance records need 12 months, and annual inspection documentation needs to be kept for 12 months at the vehicle's home terminal plus 6 more months after the vehicle leaves your control.
Yes — the rule applies to any vehicle under a carrier's control for 30 or more days, which covers essentially all owned trucks and any lease longer than 30 days, not just vehicles you hold title to.
This is a plain-language summary for reference, not legal advice. Always verify current requirements against the official regulation text or consult a compliance professional for your specific operation.