49 CFR 396.11 DVIR Requirements
49 CFR 396.11 requires drivers of commercial motor vehicles to prepare a written or electronic Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) at the completion of each day of operation. The DVIR must identify: the vehicle unit number or identifying information, the date, the location of the inspection, a description of any defect or deficiency discovered during the driver's trip inspection or reported by other drivers, and a certification by the driver either that no defects were found, or that defects were found and reported. The DVIR must cover all vehicle components that could affect safety, including: service brakes, parking brakes, steering, tires, lights, reflectors, horn, windshield wipers, rear-vision mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, and emergency equipment. The DVIR does NOT need to list items that are functioning correctly — it is specifically a defect report. A blank DVIR or a DVIR simply noting 'no defects' is legally acceptable if no defects were found. Retention requirement: DVIRs must be retained by the motor carrier for at least 3 months.