FMCSA Kills Unnecessary DVIR Paperwork

DON JERRELL
HNI Associate Vice President

Effective Dec. 18 (that's just seven days out), FMCSA will require a driver vehicle inspection report to be filled out only if defects or deficiencies are found.

Many of us in trucking agree that the DVIR process was burdensome and didn't deliver on promises of increased safety. This change of course by FMCSA endorses what we've been saying all along about the unnecessary paperwork.

Starting next Thursday (Dec 18), drivers only will need to submit DVIRs that list defects or deficiencies. The three signature requirement, however, remains intact. Signatures still are needed from:

1.) The driver who listed defect/deficiency

2.) The person who performed repair or representative of the carrier

3.) The next driver to operate the equipment

The retention period for DVIRs submitted to motor carriers still is 90 days.

According to a report in Transport Topics, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said this update will "will eliminate a burdensome daily paperwork requirement and save the trucking industry an estimated $1.7 billion annually without compromising safety."

Click here to view the official DOT doc that rescinds the paperwork policy. This final rule represents the Obama administration's largest reduction in unnecessary paperwork, which just about everyone, regardless of political affiliation, can get behind.

Would you believe that FMCSA estimated that drivers were spending about 46.7 million hours annually on DVIRs, and that 95 percent of the reports did not record defects?

Good thing this waste of time and resources is no more (T-minus seven days and counting)!

What do you think of this change? What plans have you made for the time you used to spend on DVIRs? Please share in comments.

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Report image via DriverLogBooks.com