FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11

Electronic DVIR App for CDL Drivers & Carriers

Pre-trip and post-trip DVIRs, paired truck-trailer flow, BOLs with hazmat, and deficiency-to-mechanic workflow. Built to satisfy FMCSA 396.11 without the paperwork.

14-day free trial · No credit card · DVIR + BOL templates included

Rule Update · 2026

Electronic DVIRs are now explicitly authorized by the FMCSA.

On February 19, 2026 the FMCSA published a final rule (Docket FMCSA-2025-0115), effective March 23, 2026, amending 49 CFR 396.11 and 396.13 to explicitly allow DVIRs to be created and maintained electronically (per 49 CFR 390.32). eDVIRs were already permissible since 2018 — this removes any lingering ambiguity and encourages carriers to go paperless. DigiDocs gives you a compliant eDVIR today: driver e-signature, timestamps, and a permanent audit trail, no paper tag or filing cabinet required.

Read the final rule on federalregister.gov

A DVIR app built around the regulation

The FMCSA 396.11 templates ship with the citation referenced inline. One remarks area per inspection — the way the rule actually reads, not 17 nested comment boxes that drivers ignore.

Pre-trip and post-trip DVIRs

FMCSA 396.11 templates for both ends of the shift. Pass / Fail / N/A on every item, photo capture on fails, single remarks area per DVIR per the regulation.

Paired truck-trailer flow

One session covers both units. Completing the truck DVIR auto-routes the driver into the trailer flow so nothing gets missed and the carrier PDF ties them together.

Bills of Lading with hazmat

UN number, hazard class, packing group, weight, pieces, shipper / driver / consignee signatures, PDF export. Same app — no second login for paperwork.

Out-of-service determination

When a critical fail happens, the driver is prompted for an operability call. Out-of-service units are flagged on the dispatch dashboard and locked from new BOL assignment until repair is verified.

Deficiency-to-mechanic workflow

Driver flags it with a photo. Mechanic sees it on their dashboard. Repair logged → verified on next DVIR → audit trail intact for the carrier file.

Works offline at the dock

Installable PWA caches inspection routes and queues completed DVIRs. No signal at the fuel island, rural pickup, or loading dock? The DVIR submits when the device reconnects.

Recurring inspections beyond DVIR

Schedule periodic 396.17 annual inspections, 90-day brake checks, and meter-driven services. The scheduler surfaces upcoming and overdue items per unit on the dispatch dashboard.

Fleet health scoring

Every unit gets a 0–100 health score blending DVIR pass-rate, open deficiencies, and overdue schedules. Spot the units degrading before they ground at a roadside inspection.

Audit-ready PDF records

Every DVIR becomes a PDF with driver name, timestamp, photos, citation referenced, and signatures. Hand it to a roadside inspector, an insurer, or a CSA audit without re-keying.

From paperwork to closed-loop in three steps

01STEP · 01

Add your fleet

Import or hand-enter CDL trucks and trailers. The FMCSA 396.11 pre-trip and post-trip templates load automatically. Assign drivers to units.

02STEP · 02

Drivers DVIR

On their phone. Walk-around order, Pass / Fail / N/A, photo on fails, single remarks area, signature, submit. Paired with trailer flow if applicable.

03STEP · 03

Mechanics close it out

Deficiencies land on the mechanic dashboard with photos. Repair logged → next pre-trip verifies → carrier file is complete without paper.

FAQ · BEFORE YOU ASK

Frequently asked.

01

Are electronic DVIRs legal? (FMCSA eDVIR final rule, 2026)

Yes. On February 19, 2026 the FMCSA published a final rule (Docket FMCSA-2025-0115), effective March 23, 2026, amending 49 CFR 396.11 and 396.13 to explicitly authorize creating and maintaining DVIRs in electronic format (in accordance with 49 CFR 390.32). Electronic DVIRs were already permissible since 2018 under 390.32 — this rule removes any remaining ambiguity and explicitly encourages carriers to adopt paperless, cost-saving eDVIRs. DigiDocs produces fully compliant electronic DVIRs with driver e-signature, timestamps, and a permanent audit trail.

02

What is FMCSA 396.11 and what does a DVIR need to include?

FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11 requires drivers of commercial motor vehicles to prepare a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report at the end of each driving day on every vehicle operated. The DVIR must list any defect or deficiency that would affect safe operation or result in a mechanical breakdown, and the motor carrier must repair (or determine no repair is needed) before the vehicle is dispatched. DigiDocs ships pre-trip and post-trip DVIR templates that map directly to 396.11 and include the single end-of-section remarks area per the regulation's intent.

03

Does it handle paired truck and trailer inspections?

Yes. CDL truck and trailer share a session ID. When a driver completes the truck inspection, the workflow redirects into the trailer flow automatically so both are tied to the same shift. The completed DVIR PDF references both units together for the carrier's records.

04

Can drivers complete a DVIR offline?

Yes. The PWA caches inspection routes and queues completed DVIRs locally. Drivers in dead zones — fuel islands, yards, rural pickups — can complete the inspection and have it sync the moment the device reconnects.

05

Are Bills of Lading included?

Yes. BOLs live in the same platform with hazmat tracking (UN number, hazard class, packing group), e-signatures from shipper / driver / consignee, weight and piece counts, and PDF export. No separate BOL app.

06

How does the mechanic close out a deficiency?

Operator flags a fail with a photo. The deficiency lands on the mechanic dashboard with the photo, driver note, and equipment context. Mechanic logs the repair, marks complete. The next driver sees the repair status during their next pre-trip — closing the loop without a paper deficiency tag or radio call.

07

Can I run this for a mixed fleet of trucks and equipment?

Yes — that's the point. The same platform handles CDL DVIRs alongside crane, forklift, aerial lift, excavator, and other heavy equipment inspections. One dashboard, one billing account, one set of operators. Useful for general contractors and rental yards with mixed iron.

Run electronic DVIRs that hold up at roadside.

14-day free trial. No credit card. DVIR + BOL templates included.

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