1. What is a DVIR (and why you need one)?
DVIR stands for Driver Vehicle Inspection Report. Federal regulations require CMV drivers to inspect their vehicle three times over the course of a driving day. Each inspection serves a different purpose and lives in a different section of the FMCSA rules.
The three inspections
Pre-Trip · §392.7 / §396.13
Before you drive
Walk-around to confirm the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Review and sign the previous DVIR if a defect was reported.
En Route · §392.9
During the trip
Check cargo securement and runtime safety. Required within the first 50 miles, then every 3 hours or 150 miles, and at every duty change.
Post-Trip · §396.11
End of driving day · WRITTEN REPORT REQUIRED
Thorough end-of-day inspection. This is the only inspection that federal law explicitly requires to be a written, signed report. Defects logged here must be addressed before the next dispatch.
What the law actually requires in writing: Only the post-trip inspection (§396.11) must be a signed written report. Pre-trip and en route are real legal requirements, but the regulations don't require them to be documented as a DVIR. Smart operators document all three anyway, because a written record protects you in any dispute.
Why use the digital DVIR tool?
You've been doing these inspections on paper or in your head for years. The Compass Star DVIR tool turns each one into a digital record that's:
- Saved automatically to your account — no lost paperwork
- Timestamped so DOT can see exactly when you signed it
- Exported as a clean PDF you can hand off at a roadside stop
- Searchable by truck and date, so you can pull up any past inspection
- Tied to specific FMCSA citations on the PDF, so a roadside officer can verify compliance at a glance
Bottom line: A roadside inspector asks for your DVIR. You pull out your phone, open Compass Star, find the inspection, show them the PDF. Done.
2. Setup: Adding Your First Truck
Before you can run an inspection, the system needs to know about the truck you're driving. You only do this once per truck — after that, it's saved.
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Log in to your Compass Star account
Go to compassstarllc.com, click Log In, enter your email and password.
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Click DVIR in the top menu
You'll see it in the navigation bar. On a phone, tap the menu icon (three lines) first.
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Tap "+ Add a Truck"
You'll see this button under the "Vehicle" section.
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Fill in the truck details
The only required field is Truck Number (this is just whatever you call your truck — like "T-1" or "101"). Year, make, model, VIN, and plate are optional but recommended — they show up on the PDF.
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Pick the truck type
Tractor (semi), Straight Truck (box truck), or Trailer. Pick what fits.
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Tap "Save Truck"
Your truck is now in your account. You can add more anytime — useful if you drive multiple units or own a small fleet.
Tip: Adding the VIN takes 10 extra seconds and makes the PDF look more professional. It also helps if you ever need to dispute an inspection — VIN is the legal vehicle identifier.
3. How to Run an Inspection
You're about to start your day, on the road during a trip, or wrapping up the driving day. Each scenario has its own inspection type. Here's the flow.
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Pick the inspection type
At the top of the DVIR page, tap the inspection type that matches what you're doing right now: Pre-Trip at start of duty, En Route during the trip, or Post-Trip at end of driving day. The checklist will change based on what you pick — pre/post uses the full FMCSA checklist; en route uses a focused list for cargo securement and runtime safety.
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Select your truck
Tap the truck you're inspecting. If it's the only truck on your account, it's already selected.
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Fill in the basics
Date is auto-filled to today. Add your odometer reading (helps with the IFTA records too). Location is optional — useful if a defect later turns into a dispute about where it happened ("Pilot #428, Worthington IN").
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Walk through the checklist
For pre-trip and post-trip, the checklist follows the full FMCSA standard — 6 sections covering the cab, engine, lights, wheels, trailer, and your documents. Walk around the truck and physically check each item. For en route, the checklist focuses on cargo securement, tire condition, brake function, and surroundings — what you'd actually check at a rest stop or after the first 50 miles. Don't tap anything if it's fine. Tap an item only if you find a defect.
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Set the overall condition
The system auto-detects severity based on what you flagged. Adjust it if needed — most defects are Minor (safe to operate, log for later repair). Out of Service means do not drive until repaired.
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Add notes (optional)
Anything else the next person reading this needs to know — a comment for the mechanic, an unusual condition, a change since the last inspection.
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Sign and submit
Type your full legal name in Driver Name, then type the same name in Type Name to Sign. They have to match. Tap Submit Inspection & Generate PDF.
Why type your name twice? The first one identifies you. The second one is your signature — by typing your name a second time, you're certifying under federal law that the inspection is accurate. This is the digital equivalent of signing the paper form.
En route timing: The §392.9 rule requires you to check cargo within the first 50 miles of the trip, then again every 3 hours or 150 miles (whichever comes first), and at every duty change. You don't have to write down every single check — but logging the at-rest-stop ones in Compass Star is good insurance, especially if your cargo shifts or breaks loose later.
4. What to Do When You Find a Defect
Most days, nothing's wrong and you submit a clean inspection. But when you do find something, here's how to handle it right.
How to flag a defect
Tap the item in the checklist. It turns red, and a note field opens up. Type a short description — "left turn signal out," "tread depth low on inside front tire," "mirror cracked."
How to set severity
No Defects
Vehicle clear
Default if you don't flag anything. Vehicle is good to go.
Minor Defects
Safe to operate
Examples: small windshield chip, dim cab light, low washer fluid. Log for later repair.
Major Defects
Repairs needed soon
Examples: brake light out, low tire pressure, oil leak. Schedule maintenance.
Out of Service
Do not operate
Examples: brake failure, steering looseness, no headlights, flat tire on a tandem. Vehicle stays parked until fixed.
Important: If you flag a defect on a post-trip inspection, federal law requires that defect to be repaired (or determined unnecessary) before the next pre-trip. The Compass Star DVIR keeps the record — the actual repair is your or your mechanic's job.
What if you're not sure?
When in doubt, log it. A defect logged and explained is always better than a defect missed. If the issue gets worse on the road, your DVIR shows you noticed it and it wasn't safety-critical at the time — that protects you.
5. Saving and Sharing the PDF
When you submit an inspection, a PDF opens automatically in a new browser tab. You can save it, share it, or just leave it on your phone for the next time DOT asks.
How to save it on your phone
- iPhone: Tap the share icon → "Save to Files" → pick a folder
- Android: Tap the menu (three dots) → "Download" or "Save to device"
- Desktop: Press Ctrl+S (or Cmd+S on Mac), choose where to save
How to share it
From the same PDF view, you can email it to your dispatcher, your mechanic, or your accountant for IFTA. The PDF works in any email or messaging app.
For roadside inspections: You don't actually need to download the PDF. As long as you can log in to compassstarllc.com on your phone (need cell signal), you can pull up any past DVIR from the History page in under 30 seconds. But if you regularly drive in spotty-coverage areas, downloading the PDF after each inspection is good insurance.
6. Looking Up Past Inspections
Every DVIR you submit stays in your account permanently. You can view, search, or re-download any of them from the History page.
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Go to DVIR History
From the DVIR page, tap "View past inspections →" at the bottom. Or go directly to compassstarllc.com/dvir-history.html.
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Find the one you need
Inspections are listed newest-first. You can see the date, truck number, driver name, and severity badge at a glance.
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Tap "PDF →"
Re-opens that inspection's PDF in a new tab. Same file, no re-creation needed.
How long are records kept? Federal regulation (49 CFR §396.11(c)) requires DVIRs with defects to be kept for at least 3 months. Compass Star keeps all your DVIRs (with or without defects) for the lifetime of your account, so you'll never lose a record you need.
7. FMCSA Rules in Plain English
Here's what the federal regulations actually require, written for working drivers, not lawyers. Four sections of the rules govern daily inspections — each with its own purpose.
49 CFR §392.7 — Pre-Trip Equipment Check
Before driving, the driver must be satisfied that specific safety-critical components are in good working order: service brakes (including trailer brake connections), parking brake, steering, lights and reflectors, tires, horn, wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, and emergency equipment.
This rule does not require a written report — but you have to actually check before driving. Most drivers do this as a walk-around at the start of duty.
49 CFR §392.9 — En Route Cargo Securement
The driver must verify cargo securement and the vehicle's safe operation:
(a) Within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip, and adjust securement as needed.
(b) Every 3 hours or 150 miles (whichever comes first), reinspect.
(c) At every duty change (driver swap, fuel stop, meal break).
This rule also doesn't require written documentation — but it's a real legal requirement. If your load shifts and causes a problem, the agency will ask whether you were doing en route checks.
49 CFR §396.11 — Post-Trip Inspection (Written DVIR Required)
At the end of each driving day, the driver must prepare a written report on each vehicle operated, identifying any defect that would affect safety or cause a breakdown. If there are no defects, the driver must note that.
The report must be signed by the driver. If a defect is reported, it must be repaired (or determined unnecessary) before the vehicle is dispatched again, and that fact must be certified on the original report.
This is the only inspection that federal law explicitly requires to be a written, signed report.
49 CFR §396.13 — Pre-Trip Review
Before driving, the driver must:
(a) Be satisfied the vehicle is in safe operating condition.
(b) Review the last DVIR for the vehicle.
(c) Sign the previous DVIR if a defect was reported, certifying the required repairs were performed.
Connection to §392.7: the §392.7 walk-around is what makes you "satisfied" under §396.13(a). Different sections of the rules, same physical action.
What this means for you, the driver
- Pre-trip: walk around, satisfy yourself the truck is safe, review the last DVIR. Documenting it is optional but smart.
- En route: check cargo and the vehicle within 50 miles, then every 3 hrs / 150 miles, plus duty changes. Documenting is optional but smart.
- Post-trip: at end of day, run a thorough inspection. This one must be a written, signed DVIR. Compass Star handles this automatically.
- If you find a defect on post-trip, it has to be addressed before next dispatch.
- Records must be kept for at least 3 months (§396.11(c)). Compass Star keeps yours indefinitely.
Note: This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The full regulations are at
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations. If you're ever unsure about a specific situation, ask your safety officer or call FMCSA directly.
8. Common Questions
Do I have to do all three inspections every day?
You're legally required to think about all three — pre-trip walk-around (§392.7), en route checks (§392.9), and post-trip thorough inspection (§396.11). But only the post-trip inspection has to be written down as a signed report. The other two are real legal requirements, but the law doesn't require you to document them. That said, documenting all three protects you in any dispute and creates a habit that catches problems earlier.
How often is "en route" required?
The §392.9 rule says you must check cargo securement within the first 50 miles of the trip, then again every 3 hours or 150 miles (whichever comes first), and at every duty change. You don't need to log every single check — most drivers do a quick walk-around at fuel stops and rest breaks anyway. Compass Star lets you log an en route inspection any time you want a record.
What if I drive multiple trucks in one day?
One DVIR per truck per driving day for post-trip. Add all your trucks to your account once, then run a separate post-trip inspection for each one you operated. Pre-trip and en route follow the same per-truck rule but don't have to be written.
What if I forget to do my post-trip DVIR?
If you remember the same day, do it as soon as possible and note the actual time you completed the inspection. Don't backdate — that's a violation in itself. If you missed it entirely, document what happened in your notes and don't try to hide the gap.
Can a fleet manager or dispatcher submit a DVIR for me?
No. The DVIR is a driver-signed document. Only the driver who operated the vehicle can submit it. Compass Star is built around this — your signature is tied to your account.
What if the form rejects my signature?
The "Type Name to Sign" field has to match the "Driver Name" field exactly, including spelling and punctuation. If you typed "John A. Smith" in one and "John Smith" in the other, the form will reject it. Make them identical.
What happens if I switch inspection types after I've flagged defects?
The form will warn you and ask if you're sure. If you confirm, the flagged items get cleared because the checklist itself changes. Best practice: pick the right type at the start.
Can I edit a DVIR after I submit it?
No — and that's intentional. Once submitted and signed, the inspection is a legal record. If you need to log additional information after the fact (for example, a defect you missed), submit a new inspection with a note explaining the addition.
What if I lose internet connection at a truck stop?
You need internet to submit. If you're in a dead zone, the form won't save until you reconnect. Best practice: download your most recent DVIR PDF to your phone after each submission, so you always have it offline.