Home · DVIR Guides · States · Arkansas
Last reviewed November 12, 2026.
This page summarizes what we could verify from official sources about how Arkansas applies driver vehicle inspection and related vehicle-inspection rules. It is not a complete reprint of Arkansas law.
Interstate operations
If you operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce to, from, or through Arkansas, the federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) apply, including 49 CFR Part 396 and the DVIR rules in § 396.11 and § 396.13. State rules do not replace those federal interstate requirements. Start with What a DVIR is and who must complete one.
State agency
For Arkansas-specific questions, including how the rules apply to operations that stay entirely inside Arkansas, contact Arkansas Department of Transportation / Arkansas Highway Commission.
What official sources say about state adoption
The official Code of Arkansas Rules, 27 CAR § 110-1801, adopts as Arkansas safety rules the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in 49 C.F.R. parts 383–399, as prescribed and adopted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, to the extent they are not in conflict with Arkansas law, and applies them to the intrastate operations of motor vehicles under the jurisdiction of the State Highway Commission.
The same rule states that the federal insurance-filing provisions in 49 C.F.R. §§ 387.15 and 387.35 do not apply to carriers having only Arkansas intrastate authority; those carriers must instead meet minimum limits set out in other Arkansas rules. That insurance exception is not a DVIR exception.
Intrastate operations and variations
27 CAR § 110-1801 expressly applies the adopted federal safety rules, which include Part 396, to intrastate operations under the Highway Commission's jurisdiction. This page does not list a separate Arkansas-specific weight threshold for Part 396 because the official rule text we reviewed adopts parts 383–399 without stating a different DVIR weight cutoff in that section. Confirm any vehicle-size, farm, or other exceptions with ARDOT.
What we could not independently verify from official sources in this review:
- Any Arkansas-specific vehicle weight threshold or DVIR paperwork exception that may appear in a different official rule or statute we did not review.
Please confirm those points with the state agency linked on this page before relying on them.
Related federal guides
Sources
- 27 CAR § 110-1801, General safety requirements (official Code of Arkansas Rules)
- Arkansas Department of Transportation
Need a printable form? DVIR.io offers free FMCSA-aligned PDF templates, including post-trip, pre-trip, bus and motorcoach, and intermodal reports.
Get the free DVIR templatesThis page is general information only. It is not legal advice, and it is not advice on any specific DVIR or vehicle-inspection requirement. Rules can change, and how they apply depends on your operation, your vehicles, and your location. Get advice in your own area on your specific state and federal requirements. If you have a question for DVIR.io, use the contact form.