Free DVIR Template for Waste Haulers — DOT-Compliant (49 CFR 396.11)
Editable Word document. Add your logo, your company info, print, and use. Built for garbage haulers, roll-off operators, and portable restroom services.
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What's included
Pre-trip checklist
14 DOT-required inspection items your driver verifies before the truck leaves the yard.
Post-trip checklist
Same 14 items checked at the end of every driving day, as required by FMCSA.
Fluid & fuel tracking
Hydraulic oil, motor oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering, and DEF.
Defects section
Space for driver to note any defect found, mechanic to certify the repair, and the next driver to sign off.
Who it's for
Independent waste haulers
Owner-operators and small fleets running residential or commercial routes.
Roll-off and dumpster operators
Contractors running heavy trucks that haul open-top containers.
Portable restroom services
Service trucks are commercial motor vehicles too — this form covers them.
Why it matters
DOT requires every commercial motor vehicle driver to complete a written report at the end of each driving day per 49 CFR 396.11. Most haulers patch this together with paper forms borrowed from other companies or with apps that cost $30 a truck per month. This template gets you compliant in five minutes for free.
Common questions
Is this DVIR template DOT-compliant?+
Yes. It covers the inspection items required by 49 CFR 396.11 and 396.13 for commercial motor vehicles. The form includes pre-trip and post-trip checklists, defect reporting, and mechanic certification fields.
Do I have to fill one out every day?+
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires a driver vehicle inspection report at the end of each driving day for every commercial motor vehicle in service. If a driver operates more than one vehicle in a day, a separate report is required for each one.
Can my drivers fill this out on a phone or tablet?+
The Word version is best for printing or editing on a desktop. If you want a fillable digital version for tablets, let us know — we are building one next.
How long do I have to keep these on file?+
FMCSA requires you to keep the original report and the certification of repairs for at least three months from the report date.
What if a driver finds a defect?+
The driver notes the defect in the Defects/Deficiencies section and signs. A qualified mechanic reviews the defect, completes the Mechanic Certification section indicating whether the defect was corrected or did not require correction, and signs. The next driver reviews and signs before operating the vehicle.
Is this really free?+
Yes. About-Trash.com is free for waste haulers — listings, jobs, news, tipping fee data, and resources like this. We make money from vendors who sell to haulers, not from haulers themselves.
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