DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report)

A Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) is a written or electronic document that commercial drivers must complete to record the condition of a vehicle before and after each shift, under FMCSA regulation 49 CFR § 396.11. The DVIR must list defects or deficiencies that would affect safe operation — brakes, lights, tires, steering, mirrors, wipers, horns, coupling devices — and every defect must be either repaired or formally declared non-safety-critical before the vehicle returns to service.

The post-trip DVIR is the primary legal record the carrier relies on to demonstrate it was not aware of an issue that caused a crash. For NYC fleets, DVIRs are a routine compliance burden but also a strategic one: consistent records can reduce insurance claims, shorten roadside inspections, and — importantly — serve as documentary evidence in NYC violation disputes (e.g., proving a plate light was working at the start of a shift).

Failure to conduct and document DVIRs is itself a roadside out-of-service violation and a common CSA Vehicle Maintenance BASIC finding. Many fleets now complete DVIRs through mobile apps integrated with telematics and maintenance workflows for speed and auditability.