Free DOT pre-trip inspection checklist
Free DOT pre-trip inspection checklist (printable 51-point PDF). FMCSA 49 CFR 396.13 DVIR items for commercial vehicles. Download and print free.
Updated 10 Aug 2026
DOT Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
Driver vehicle inspection report per FMCSA 49 CFR 396.13
Engine Compartment
Brakes and Air System
Steering and Suspension
Lights and Electrical
Tyres and Wheels
Cab and Safety Equipment
Coupling and Cargo
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Key takeaways
- The MapTrack DOT pre-trip inspection checklist contains 51 checks across 7 sections. Sections covered: Engine Compartment, Brakes and Air System, Steering and Suspension, Lights and Electrical, Tyres and Wheels, Cab and Safety Equipment, Coupling and Cargo.
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What is a DOT pre-trip inspection checklist?
A DOT pre-trip inspection checklist is a structured form used by commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to document the pre-trip inspection required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under 49 CFR 396.13. The regulation requires that before driving a CMV, the driver must be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition, review the last DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report), and sign the report to acknowledge that any defects noted have been corrected or do not need to be corrected before the vehicle is operated. The pre-trip inspection covers the engine compartment (oil, coolant, belts, hoses, leaks), cab and controls (steering, mirrors, gauges, horn, wipers, heater/defroster, seatbelt), lights and reflectors (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, clearance lights, reflective tape), tyres and wheels (tread depth, inflation, lug nuts, hub seals), brakes (service brakes, parking brake, air brake system including governor, air compressor, air tanks, slack adjusters, brake drums and linings), coupling devices (fifth wheel, kingpin, glad hands, safety chains), cargo securement (straps, chains, edge protectors, load distribution), and emergency equipment (fire extinguisher, warning triangles, spare fuses). This checklist aligns with the inspection items used during DOT roadside inspections under the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) North American Standard Inspection Programme, helping drivers and carriers prepare for enforcement encounters.
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Benefits of using this DOT pre-trip inspection checklist
- FMCSA compliance: meet 49 CFR 396.13 pre-trip inspection and DVIR review requirements with a documented checklist for each trip.
- Roadside inspection readiness: the checklist covers the same items inspected during CVSA Level I and Level II roadside inspections, reducing out-of-service rates.
- Air brake safety: dedicated air brake system checks (governor cut-in/cut-out, air leakage, low air warning, slack adjuster stroke) help prevent brake-related violations and accidents.
- Driver accountability: the signed checklist confirms the driver has personally inspected the vehicle and reviewed the previous DVIR before departing.
- Reduced CSA scores: consistent pre-trip inspections and defect correction improve your carrier Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores.
- Maintenance feedback loop: defects documented during pre-trip inspections feed directly into the maintenance schedule, helping shops plan parts and labor before failures occur on the road.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise commercial vehicle checklists in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
- Monitor odometer and service-interval triggers across your entire fleet.
- Capture fuel receipts and trip logs alongside vehicle inspection data.
- Compare vehicle downtime and repair costs to inform replacement decisions.
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What to include in a DOT pre-trip inspection checklist
This DOT pre-trip inspection checklist covers 11 key areas:
- Vehicle details: unit number, VIN, registration, carrier name, date, odometer.
- Driver details: name, CDL number, date, trip origin and destination.
- Engine compartment: oil level, coolant level, belts, hoses, steering fluid, wiper fluid, leaks.
- Cab and controls: steering play, mirrors, gauges, horn, wipers, heater/defroster, seatbelt, seat adjustment.
- Lights and reflectors: headlights (high and low beam), tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, clearance lights, marker lights, reflective tape.
- Tyres and wheels: tread depth (minimum 4/32" steer, 2/32" drive and trailer), inflation, lug nuts, hub seals, matching, sidewall condition.
- Brakes: service brake operation, parking brake, air brake system (governor cut-in/cut-out, air leakage, low air warning buzzer, air brake valves, slack adjuster stroke, brake drums/linings).
- Coupling devices: fifth wheel, kingpin, locking jaws, release handle, glad hands, air and electrical lines, safety chains.
- Cargo securement: number and condition of straps/chains, edge protectors, headboard, load distribution.
- Emergency equipment: fire extinguisher (charged, accessible), warning triangles (3), spare fuses.
- Previous DVIR review: review last DVIR, confirm defects corrected or noted as non-safety, driver signature.
How to use this DOT pre-trip inspection checklist
- Record the vehicle and driver details. Review the previous DVIR and confirm any noted defects have been corrected or documented as not requiring correction.: Enter the unit number, VIN, odometer, carrier name, driver name and CDL number. Locate the previous DVIR and verify each defect has a mechanic sign-off or a notation that repair was not required.
- Conduct the engine compartment inspection with the engine off: check oil, coolant, belts, hoses and look for leaks under the vehicle.: Pull the oil dipstick and verify the level is between the minimum and maximum marks. Check coolant in the overflow reservoir. Inspect belts for cracks, fraying and proper tension. Look underneath for drips of oil, coolant or fuel.
- Enter the cab, start the engine and check all gauges, controls, steering, mirrors, horn, wipers and lights.: Confirm oil pressure, coolant temperature and voltage gauges read within normal range after startup. Turn the steering wheel to check for excessive free play. Test the horn, windshield wipers, washers and heater/defroster operation.
- Perform the air brake check: build air pressure to governor cut-out, check cut-out pressure, perform the applied leakage test and verify the low air warning activates.: Build air to governor cut-out (typically 120 to 145 psi). With brakes applied, the pressure drop must not exceed 3 psi per minute for a single vehicle or 4 psi for a combination. Drain air and confirm the low air warning activates below 60 psi.
- Walk around the vehicle and check tyres, wheels, lights, reflectors, coupling devices and cargo securement.: Check each tire for minimum tread depth (4/32 inch steer, 2/32 inch drive and trailer), proper inflation and sidewall damage. Verify all lug nuts are present and tight. Confirm coupling devices are locked and air and electrical lines are secure.
- Record any defects and determine whether the vehicle is safe to operate. If not, do not drive until repairs are made. Sign and date the checklist.: Document each defect with a description and severity. If any defect affects safe operation, the vehicle must not be driven until repaired. Sign the checklist to certify the inspection is complete and the vehicle is or is not safe to operate.
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Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full DOT pre-trip inspection checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
FMCSA 49 CFR 396.13 requires a pre-trip inspection before every trip. The driver must be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving. If the driver is the same person who completed the post-trip DVIR for the previous day and no defects were noted, a brief review and signature may suffice, but best practice is to perform a full walk-around inspection before each trip. For multi-day trips, perform the pre-trip inspection at the start of each driving day. A post-trip DVIR (49 CFR 396.11) must also be completed at the end of each day operation. In MapTrack, you can schedule pre-trip and post-trip inspections per vehicle and automatically log them against the asset record.
Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:
- FMCSA 49 CFR 396.13 (Driver inspection before driving)
- FMCSA 49 CFR 396.11 (Driver vehicle condition report)
- CVSA North American Standard Inspection Programme
DOT Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist preview
The numbers behind this DOT pre-trip inspection checklist
Every figure below is sourced and dated, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without having to chase the original report.
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<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">DOT Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Vehicle details: unit number, VIN, registration, carrier name, date, odometer.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Driver details: name, CDL number, date, trip origin and destination.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Engine compartment: oil level, coolant level, belts, hoses, steering fluid, wiper fluid, leaks.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Cab and controls: steering play, mirrors, gauges, horn, wipers, heater/defroster, seatbelt, seat adjustment.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Lights and reflectors: headlights (high and low beam), tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, clearance lights, marker lights, reflective tape.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Tyres and wheels: tread depth (minimum 4/32" steer, 2/32" drive and trailer), inflation, lug nuts, hub seals, matching, sidewall condition.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/dot-pre-trip-inspection-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">DOT Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.
Cite this template
Writing about this topic? You’re welcome to quote this checklist. Here’s the wording to use so your readers can find the original.
The MapTrack DOT pre-trip inspection checklist contains 51 checks across 7 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack DOT Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/dot-pre-trip-inspection-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). DOT Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/dot-pre-trip-inspection-checklist
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/dot-pre-trip-inspection-checklist.
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