Pre-trip and end-of-day truck inspection reminders

A quick walkaround list from FMCSA's inspection rules before you roll, and an end-of-day defect note to log in your company's report.

What it does

For drivers of commercial trucks and buses, federal rules (49 CFR 396.13) say that before driving you must be satisfied the vehicle is in safe operating condition, and if the last driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) listed defects, review it and sign that the needed repairs were certified. At the end of each day's work, 49 CFR 396.11 says the report covers at least service brakes and trailer brake connections, parking brake, steering, lights and reflectors, tires, horn, wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, and emergency equipment; for most non-passenger trucks a written report is only required when a defect is found or reported, and the carrier must fix safety defects before the vehicle runs again. Your bot sends that walkaround list each morning, and at the end of the day asks "any defects?" and turns your quick voice note into a clean line to enter in your company's DVIR app or paper form. Box-truck, delivery, utility and service-van drivers can use the same list as a good habit. It's a reminder, not an inspection: you and your company's process decide if a vehicle is safe.

Copy-paste prompt

Be my pre-trip and end-of-day inspection reminder, based on FMCSA rules 49 CFR 396.13 (driver inspection) and 396.11 (driver vehicle inspection reports).

My vehicle: [e.g. Class B box truck / tractor-trailer / service van / bus]. My company's report: [DVIR app name / paper form / not sure]. Shift start: [5:30 AM]. Shift end: [around 4:00 PM].

1. At shift start, send a short walkaround list built from the 396.11 items: service brakes and trailer brake connections, parking brake, steering, lights and reflectors, tires, horn, wipers, mirrors, coupling devices, wheels and rims, emergency equipment. Add [my company's extra items].
2. Remind me: if the last report listed a defect, check that the repair was certified and sign that I reviewed it before I drive.
3. At shift end, ask: "Any defects or problems today?" If I say no, just note "no defects reported." If I send a voice note about a problem, turn it into a clear line for my company's report: vehicle/unit number, what I found, where, and when. I enter and sign it myself.
4. If I describe a brake, steering, tire or coupling problem, tell me to report it to my supervisor or shop before the vehicle goes out again, not to "keep an eye on it."
5. Never tell me a vehicle is safe or legal to drive, and never message my dispatcher or shop for me. Don't text me while I'm driving; send messages only at shift start and shift end.

Keep each message under 8 lines. My company's policy and FMCSA rules come first; this is just a reminder.