U.S. DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to eliminate the requirement for CDL drivers to submit, and motor carriers to retain, written daily vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) when no defects or deficiencies are found or exist, reports the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) in its Weekly Review newsletter. The proposed rule is important because it will eliminate unnecessary driver workload and reduce a common source of paperwork violations during routine DOT audits, notes the association newsletter.
The Federal Code of Regulations 49 CFR 396.11(a) states that every motor carrier must “require drivers to report, and every driver shall prepare a report in writing at the completion of each day’s work on each vehicle operated,” and that report shall cover a specific list of parts and accessories. Motor carriers are required to keep written DVIRs on file. The proposed rule is not eliminating the DOT requirement to inspect commercial motor vehicles on a daily basis, nor changing any other element of the inspection, repair, and maintenance requirements. Drivers would still be required to perform pre-trip evaluations of equipment condition, but only required to file a written DVIR if any defects or deficiencies are discovered or reported during the day’s operations.
Motor carriers will still be required to have in place systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance programs (including preventative maintenance) and maintain records to prove measures are being taken to reduce the risk of mechanical problems happening while the vehicle is in operation. While the DOT regulations only apply to interstate motor carriers, all states require intrastate operators to comply with the rules.
PMAA says it will file written comments to the FMCSA supporting the proposed changes.
