• Before beginning a trip, a driver of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) must evaluate certain parts and accessories and be satisfied that they are in good working order.
• If the last driver who drove the CMV prepared a driver’s vehicle inspection report (DVIR) indicating that the vehicle had a defect, the next driver must review and sign the DVIR before driving, acknowledging that the defect was corrected.
• The driver of the CMV must make en-route inspections within 50 miles of beginning a trip and at every change in duty status, or after every three hours, or after every 150 miles, whichever occurs first.

The primary requirements for CMV inspections are contained in 49 CFR 396, with additional pretrip and en-route inspection requirements for drivers in Part 392.

Pretrip inspections

Section 392.7 requires that drivers be satisfied that basic parts and accessories are in good working order before driving the CMV. This pretrip evaluation must include the following parts and accessories:

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

Section 392.8 requires drivers to be satisfied that the emergency equipment listed in 393.95 (fire extinguishers, spare fuses, and warning devices) is in place and ready for use.

In addition, a driver may not drive a CMV unless:

• The cargo is properly distributed and secured.
• The tailgate, tailboard, doors, tarps, spare tire, cargo securement devices, and other equipment are secured.
• Required lamps and reflective devices are not obscured or covered, such as by the tailboard, the load, dirt, or any added vehicle or work equipment (392.33); and
• Cargo or other objects are not obscuring the driver’s view ahead or to the right or left sides, interfering with the driver’s ability to freely move his or her arms and legs, hindering access to emergency equipment, or preventing anyone from easily exiting the cab or driver’s compartment.

The regulations do not specifically require a pretrip inspection, nor an inspection report, but an inspection is widely seen as the only way to ensure a vehicle’s safety before driving. In addition, company policies may require a pretrip inspection and report, and may specify a minimum amount of time for each inspection.

Pretrip DVIR signing

If the last person who drove the vehicle prepared a DVIR indicating that the vehicle had a defect, the next driver must review and sign the DVIR before driving, to acknowledge the mechanic’s or other agent’s certification that the required repairs were completed. No signature is required for defects that were on a trailer that is no longer a part of the combination. (396.13)

Driveaway-towaway operations

Before operating a combination vehicle in a driveaway-towaway operation, the motor carrier must make a careful inspection and test that:

• The tow-bar or saddle-mount connections are properly secured to the towed and towing vehicle;
• The connections function properly, without cramping or binding; and
• The towed motor vehicle follows substantially in the path of the towing vehicle without whipping or swerving. (396.15(b))

En-route inspections

The driver of a truck or truck tractor must perform periodic cargo inspections during each trip. The driver must inspect the cargo and cargo securement devices, and make any necessary adjustments:

• Within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip; and
• At every change in duty status, or after every three hours, or after every 150 miles, whichever occurs first.

Responsibility for proper cargo securement falls to the motor carrier and driver, not the shipper! The driver and carrier must ensure that the cargo is properly secured before driving.

EXCEPTIONS: En-route inspections are not required if the vehicle is sealed and the driver was ordered not to open it, or if the vehicle was loaded in a manner that makes inspection impracticable.