NOVEMBER 1, 2018 – The FMCSA requires all drivers to inspect their vehicles daily to ensure they’re are safe to operate. These inspections must be completed at the end of each shift so that motor carriers can have their vehicles pulled out of service and repaired (if needed) before they go back on the road.
These inspections can be as comprehensive as you or your motor carrier would like, but must include the following:
Per a 2014 change to the regulation, a report only needs to be completed and filed with the motor carrier if a defect is found. These records must be signed by the driver and kept on file for three months along with the certification of repairs. Per the FMCSA, because the regulation doesn’t specify where the records must be kept, carriers are free to store them either at their principal place of business or where their vehicles are housed and maintained.
Please note that these reports can be prepared and stored either electronically or on paper. There is no standard form or application that must be used, so as long as the report contains all of the required information about the inspection and the needed repairs, drivers are free to use whatever digital or paper form they prefer.