Home · DVIR Guides · States · Washington
Last reviewed November 12, 2026.
This page summarizes what we could verify from official sources about how Washington applies driver vehicle inspection and related vehicle-inspection rules. It is not a complete reprint of Washington law.
Interstate operations
If you operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce to, from, or through Washington, 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 Washington-specific questions, including how the rules apply to operations that stay entirely inside Washington, contact Washington State Patrol.
What official sources say about state adoption
Official Washington Administrative Code 446-65-010 states that the Washington State Patrol adopts listed parts of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as they exist on April 25, 2026, for motor carriers used in intrastate or interstate commerce in their entirety. The adopted list includes Part 396, Inspection, repair, and maintenance, along with many other FMCSR parts.
Intrastate operations and variations
The official rule therefore applies Part 396 to motor carriers used in intrastate or interstate commerce. The same section includes Washington-specific modifications to other parts — for example, certain Part 391 qualification rules do not apply to motor carriers operating vehicles with a GVWR between 10,001 and 26,000 pounds in intrastate commerce when the vehicle is not used to transport placarded hazardous materials, and a minimum-age modification applies in those same conditions. The official text we reviewed does not state a similar Part 396 exception for that weight band. The section also contains hours-of-service modifications for certain log-haul and dump-truck operations, which are outside the scope of this DVIR page.
Confirm current coverage and any later amendment of WAC 446-65-010 with the Washington State Patrol. Links to the C.F.R. are available on the official WSP website, as the rule itself notes.
What we could not independently verify from official sources in this review:
- Any later amendment to WAC 446-65-010 after the official compilation we reviewed (the official page lists a filing effective October 9, 2026, among others), and any separate Washington statute that changes who is a “motor carrier” for purposes of this rule.
Please confirm those points with the state agency linked on this page before relying on them.
Related federal guides
Sources
- WAC 446-65-010 (official Washington Legislature / Washington State Patrol rule)
- Washington State Patrol
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.