Vehicle Inspection & DVIR · PDF template
Free Post-Trip Inspection Checklist
An end-of-shift post-trip inspection checklist that helps a driver report defects discovered during the day: the daily companion to the pre-trip walkaround and the basis for the post-trip DVIR. Use it alongside our fleet calculators to size the costs this template tracks, or browse fleet management software when you are ready to automate the workflow. See all downloads in the template library, and check the fleet glossary for any unfamiliar terms.
Built and reviewed by the FleetOpsClub research team. Preview it free below.
- Defect-focused checks grouped by brakes, steering, lights, tires, and coupling
- A defect / no-defect outcome line that drives the written DVIR
- Space to describe any defect that would affect safe operation
- Driver certification and next-driver review fields
- Editable CSV. Yours to keep
- Print or save as PDF
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How to use it
- 1
Complete the inspection at the end of the shift, before parking the vehicle for the day.
- 2
Walk the vehicle and check each grouped item for damage, wear, or malfunction that developed during the trip.
- 3
Note any defect that would affect safe operation in the remarks, with the unit number and location.
- 4
Mark the report 'defects' or 'no defects' and sign the driver certification.
- 5
Route safety-critical defects to the shop so repairs and the mechanic certification are done before the next dispatch.
What's inside
- Defect-focused checks grouped by brakes, steering, lights, tires, and coupling
- A defect / no-defect outcome line that drives the written DVIR
- Space to describe any defect that would affect safe operation
- Driver certification and next-driver review fields
- An ungated, printable format for clipboard or in-cab tablet
Preview the template
Here's a real sample of the layout — the actual columns and structure you'll work in. The complete template, plus the editable spreadsheet, unlocks the moment you enter your email.
Preview
Post-Trip Inspection Checklist
Brakes & Steering
- Service brake response and feel
- Parking / hand brake holds
- Air loss or low-pressure warning (if equipped)
- Steering free play and pull
- Unusual noises or vibration noted during the trip
Lights & Electrical
+5 more items in this section
Tires, Wheels & Coupling
+5 more items in this section
Cab, Body & Equipment
+6 more items in this section
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions buyers usually ask once the category, software, or rollout details start getting more specific.
The post-trip inspection is the act of checking the vehicle; the DVIR is the written report of any defects found. Under FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11 most regulated drivers must prepare a written post-trip report. Use this checklist to drive that report, and verify the current rule for your vehicle type.
A pre-trip inspection confirms the vehicle is safe before driving; the post-trip captures problems that surfaced during the day so they can be fixed before the next driver takes the wheel. Together they bracket the shift.
For the regulated vehicle types, a 'no defects' post-trip report is generally still required, though some categories have narrower rules. Confirm against the current regulation rather than assuming.
Reported defects affecting safe operation must be repaired and certified before the vehicle returns to service. The next driver should also review and sign acknowledging the certification before driving.