You've heard you have to do a pre-trip and a post-trip, but what actually has to be checked, and when do you have to write it down? Here's the straight answer, plus why getting this right protects both your truck's uptime and your driving record.
Are pre-trip and post-trip inspections actually required?
Yes. Daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections are legally required for commercial drivers, with no exceptions. This isn't a suggestion or a company policy you can skip on a short run.
The point is simple: catch problems before they put you on the shoulder. A walk-around takes a few minutes. A blown tire, a brake out of adjustment, or a busted light caught in a roadside inspection costs you hours, money, and a mark on your record.
What you're actually checking
A real inspection means putting eyes and hands on the things that keep you and everyone around you safe. At minimum, you're looking at:
- Tires — tread, pressure, no cuts or bulges
- Brakes — adjustment, air pressure, no leaks
- Lights and reflectors — all working, all clean
- Steering and suspension — no excessive play, no broken components
- Coupling — fifth wheel locked, kingpin secure
- Fluid leaks — anything dripping under the truck
- Mirrors, wipers, horn — functional
The post-trip matters just as much. Walking the truck at the end of the day is how you find the problem tonight instead of discovering it during tomorrow's pre-trip when you're already behind.
When you have to file a DVIR
The Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) is the written record. You're required to prepare one any time your daily pre-trip or post-trip turns up a defect or deficiency. DVIRs are legally required in the U.S., and they're not paperwork for paperwork's sake.
A clean DVIR trail proves you found and fixed problems before they became roadside violations. As an independent contractor, you're responsible for keeping your equipment in safe operating condition and holding onto your own maintenance and repair records. That record is your defense if anyone ever questions whether the truck was road-ready.
The safety gear you're responsible for
Inspections aren't just about mechanical parts. You're responsible for making sure all DOT-required safety equipment is on board and working. That includes:
- Fire extinguisher — present, charged, and checked at least once a month
- Warning triangles or reflectors — the full required set
- Spare fuses (where applicable)
And buckle up. Seat-belt use is required under federal regulation FMCSR 392.16 — it's one of the easiest violations to avoid and one of the most common ones written up.
How leasing on with ARI lightens the load
Inspections and the DVIR are always your hands on the truck — nobody can do your walk-around for you. But a lot of the surrounding compliance weight comes off your plate when you run under ARI's authority instead of going it alone.
Because ARI is a motor carrier and you lease on under ARI's DOT/MC authority, the carrier handles the heavy compliance lifting — IFTA on the plate program, ELD setup, and the authority-level recordkeeping that a solo operator has to manage themselves. You still own your maintenance records and your equipment's safe condition, but you're not carrying the entire regulatory apparatus alone.
That means fewer surprises, more uptime, and more time actually running freight. Want the full picture on what stays your responsibility and what the carrier handles? Our resource center breaks it down for owner-operators.
If you're ready to run under an authority that takes the compliance burden seriously and keeps you moving, take a look at how leasing on works on our owner-operator opportunities page, or call (888) 600-9098.