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No-defect DVIRs eliminated for bus drivers

A new rule removes the need to prepare a DVIR when there are no defects to report

Posted July 17, 2020

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a new rule removing the need for bus and motorcoach drivers to prepare a post-trip inspection report on days when there are no vehicle defects to report.

Announced on July 15, 2020, the rule will harmonize the requirements for bus and truck drivers and is expected to save $74 million per year for operators of passenger-carrying vehicles.

Currently, 49 CFR §396.11 requires drivers of passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles to prepare a driver’s vehicle inspection report (DVIR) each day for each vehicle operated. Under the new rule, those drivers will only need to prepare a DVIR if there is a vehicle defect that needs reporting.

“This rule will remove outdated and overly burdensome reporting requirements on commercial buses that don’t contribute to improving safety” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The rule is expected to go into effect in late August, 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The official publication date has not yet been announced.

The FMCSA revised §396.11 in December 2014 to remove the requirement that drivers of property-carrying vehicles fill out “no-defect” DVIRs.

This article was written by Kathy Close of J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

 

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