The pre-trip inspection and reviewing the last DVIR (49 CFR 396.13)

Home · DVIR Guides · The pre-trip inspection and reviewing the last DVIR

Last reviewed November 12, 2026.

49 CFR 396.13 states that, before driving a motor vehicle, the driver shall:

• Be satisfied that the motor vehicle is in safe operating condition;
• Review the last driver vehicle inspection report if required by § 396.11(a)(2)(i); and
• Sign the report to acknowledge that the driver has reviewed it and that there is a certification that the required repairs have been performed.

The signature requirement does not apply to listed defects on a towed unit which is no longer part of the vehicle combination. 49 CFR 396.13(c).

How this ties to the last post-trip report

The review-and-sign step applies when a last report is required by 49 CFR 396.11(a)(2)(i). Under the current rule, a report is required when a defect or deficiency was discovered by or reported to the driver; a report is not required if no defect or deficiency was discovered or reported. If there is no last report because none was required, there is nothing in § 396.13 that creates a duty to sign a report that was never prepared. The driver still must be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving.

If the last report listed defects, the driver should see a certification that those defects have been repaired or that repair is unnecessary, as required by 49 CFR 396.11(a)(3), before operating the vehicle. That process is described in Defects, repairs, and driver acknowledgment.

The related equipment inspection in 49 CFR 392.7

49 CFR 392.7(a) says no commercial motor vehicle shall be driven unless the driver is satisfied that the following parts and accessories are in good working order, and the driver must use them when needed:

• Service brakes, including trailer brake connections
• Parking (hand) brake
• Steering mechanism
• Lighting devices and reflectors
• Tires
• Horn
• Windshield wiper or wipers
• Rear-vision mirror or mirrors
• Coupling devices
• Wheels and rims
• Emergency equipment

That list matches the minimum post-trip list in § 396.11(a)(1). Section 392.7(b) adds a specific inspection list for drivers preparing to transport intermodal equipment.

§ 392.7 is a pre-trip condition-and-use rule. It does not, by itself, require a separate written pre-trip report. The written report described in § 396.11 is prepared at the completion of the day's work when a defect or deficiency has been found or reported. Some carriers still use a combined pre-trip and post-trip form as a company practice.

Electronic records

The reports required by § 396.13 may be created and maintained in electronic format, in accordance with 49 CFR 390.32. That is now stated in 49 CFR 396.13(d). See Electronic DVIRs.

Related guides

• What a DVIR is and who must complete one
• Post-trip report (49 CFR 396.11)
• Defects, repairs, and driver acknowledgment
• Electronic DVIRs

Sources

• 49 CFR 396.13 — Driver inspection
• 49 CFR 396.11 — Driver vehicle inspection report(s)
• 49 CFR 392.7 — Equipment, inspection and use
• 49 CFR 390.32 — Electronic documents and signatures