A DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report) is the formal record confirming a driver checked a commercial vehicle before and after operation. When it comes to choosing DVIR apps, Lumiform is the top platform with customizable, mobile-friendly inspections and smart defect management. Samsara works well for integrating DVIRs with telematics and real-time diagnostics. For comprehensive maintenance features, Fleetio also comes with a shop network and parts tracking.
FMCSA regulations require this documentation, and electronic versions are now standard across the industry. With these compliance needs in mind, this article compares eight DVIR apps by features, pricing, and real-world fit.
Top DVIR apps comparison chart
A closer look at the 8 best DVIR software solutions
1. Lumiform
Best for: Fast, mobile‑friendly DVIRs with automated defect management
Lumiform is an AI-powered inspection platform that handles DVIRs alongside other recurring checks across vehicles, equipment, and facilities. It replaces paper logs with fast, photo‑driven mobile inspections and automated defect workflows that keep vehicles compliant and in good condition.
As a DVIR solution, it enables drivers to complete pre‑trip and post‑trip checks on the mobile app, which works offline, even in yards or rural areas with no cell signal:
When a driver marks a defect, the system automatically triggers corrective actions, sending the issue to the right mechanic with photos attached. Managers then receive clean, automatically generated DVIR reports, with digital sign-offs and approval chains to meet FMCSA compliance requirements.
For example, Rigterink, a logistics company, used Lumiform for vehicle fleet management and departure checks. Their damage reporting became 75% faster, with response times cut by three days.
Top Features
- Fast form creation: Build custom pre-trip and post-trip checklists instantly, with pre-made templates, AI prompts, or document scanning.
- Smart defect workflows: Failed items trigger automated workflows with photo-rich documentation, annotations, and maintenance coordination sent directly to repair teams.
- Automatic report sharing: When a driver submits a DVIR, Lumiform instantly generates a clean, formatted report and sends it to the right people.
Pros
- Dynamic fields, OCR scanning, and AI photo validation ensure drivers complete accurate DVIRs
- Clear audit trail with driver and mechanic sign-offs, plus full action logs
- Real-time dashboards show inspection status across all vehicles
Cons
- Doesn’t include GPS tracking, telematics, or fuel management
- No free plan
Pricing: From €100/month with 5 users included; discounted rates as teams get larger
2. Samsara
Best for: Combining telematics and inspections in one platform
Samsara offers a comprehensive fleet management platform where DVIR sits alongside telematics, video safety, and route optimization. Large fleets seeking a single vendor for all operations get that consolidation here, though at a premium price. The platform’s strength lies in how DVIR data gives managers a complete operational picture.
For example, if a defect is found during a check, that data surfaces alongside real-time engine fault codes and recent harsh braking events, as well as video footage from the same vehicle. You can then trace patterns between inspection findings and driving behavior. Given this, its pricing typically requires enterprise-level budgets, with quote-based per-vehicle fees plus hardware installation costs. If your focus is DVIRs, the interface may also feel busy or require too many taps to complete simple inspection tasks.
Top Features
- Unified fleet platform: Access DVIRs, GPS tracking, dashcams, and driver safety in one system with AI-assisted insights.
- Real-time vehicle diagnostics: Monitor engine fault codes and inspection data together fo risk management.
- Customizable inspection forms: Build checklists for different vehicle types with photo capture and linked video documentation.
Pros
- All-in-one platform reduces vendor management
- Strong real-time visibility across operations with proactive alerts
- Robust reporting and analytics that connect inspection data to broader fleet performance
Cons
- Much more costly than standalone inspection apps
- May include features smaller fleets don’t use
- Can feel complex or heavy for drivers initially
Pricing: Custom pricing, typically estimated at €25–30 ($27–33) per vehicle per month, plus additional hardware costs
3. Fleetio
Best for: Maintenance ecosystem with repair vendors and service history
Fleetio is primarily a fleet maintenance and asset management platform, with inspection capabilities built in. Its DVIR feature lives inside the Fleetio Go mobile app, where drivers can complete pre‑trip and post‑trip inspections with photos, defect notes, and signatures. Inspection results flow into Fleetio’s maintenance system, so defects automatically become work orders or service reminders.
Drivers typically find the app easy to navigate. On the backend, Fleetio’s maintenance automation, cost tracking, and asset data give DVIRs meaningful context. However, it has less AI features compared to similar platforms, meaning that some inspection steps require more effort. Some users also report API rate limits that create friction when pushing high-volume DVIR data into external compliance tools or enterprise dashboards.
Top Features
- Inspection-to-work-order automation: Defects automatically generate maintenance tasks with immediate alerts and repair tracking.
- Driver-friendly mobile experience: The Fleetio Go app streamlines daily inspections with reminders, photos, comments, and asset lookup features.
- Service reminders: Automated alerts for scheduled maintenance based on mileage or time, with centralized visibility across vehicles.
Pros
- Tight integration between inspections and maintenance with full service history
- FMCSA-compliant eDVIRs accessible anywhere, including offline
- Intuitive interface with built-in prompts for required steps
Cons
- Primarily maintenance software, so organizations needing mainly DVIR functionality may find it broader than necessary
- Maintenance-oriented features can slow down the driver experience if they only need quick inspections
- Limited analytics for large fleets needing detailed trend analysis on defects or compliance
Pricing: Entry plan begins at €3 ($4) per vehicle per month; Professional plan starts at €6 ($7)
4. Whip Around
Best for: Fleet documentation management, including permits and insurance
Whip Around is a DVIR and inspection platform designed to make pre‑ and post‑trip checks fast and compliant. It includes voice-guided inspections that walk drivers through each checkpoint, which helps maintain consistency across different shifts and experience levels. This audio-driven approach reduces the learning curve for new drivers and ensures that experienced operators don’t skip steps during rushed pre-trip checks.
The highly intuitive interface supports fast onboarding and reliable daily completion of inspections, even for teams with limited technical experience. Drivers can complete inspections quickly using the mobile app, which works offline. However, pricing is on the higher end compared to other inspection apps. Key features like AI-assisted inspections, multilingual support, and advanced reporting come as paid add-ons, even on higher-tier plans, while some competitors include these capabilities by default.
Top Features
- Voice-guided inspections: Audio prompts guide drivers through inspection steps hands-free for structured, consistent checks.
- Instant mechanic communication: Defects route directly to repair teams with photo documentation attached, plus action tracking with automated reminders.
- DOT audit reports: Pre-formatted reports ready for compliance reviews, with centralized documentation for permits, insurance, and invoices.
Pros
- Built specifically for commercial fleet compliance with flexible forms tailored to vehicle types
- Intuitive mobile interface with support for trailers and heavy equipment
- Well-rounded integration ecosystem
Cons
- More expensive than average vehicle inspection apps
- Add‑ons required for important inspection features
- Not a full telematics safety platform by default
Pricing: Free for one user managing one asset; paid plans begin at €4 ($5) per asset
5. Lytx
Best for: Gathering video‑supported evidence with AI dashcams tied directly to inspections
Lytx is primarily a video telematics and driver safety platform. It offers DVIRs within the Lytx Driver App as a supporting workflow that complements its core strengths: AI dashcams, behavior detection, incident analysis, and coaching automation. One advantage is how it ties inspections directly into advanced video and safety analytics.
Lytx can connect defects to recent dashcam footage from the same vehicle, engine diagnostics, and driver behavior events like hard braking or lane departures. This layered view helps fleet managers understand whether a defect is an isolated maintenance issue or part of a broader pattern tied to driver habits or route conditions. On the other hand, its DVIR tool is less advanced and less customizable than platforms dedicated to inspection or maintenance workflows. Advanced features depend on hardware, which increases cost and deployment complexity.
Top Features
- Video-linked inspections: Connect inspection reports to dashcam footage with AI detection and video tagging for incident context.
- Customizable checklists: Build inspection forms with photo and video attachment options, tailored to different asset types.
- Driver coaching integration: Combine inspection compliance with safety coaching using DriveCam event footage and automated risk capture.
Pros
- Strong video documentation with advanced safety insights analyzing inspection data alongside fault codes and driving behavior
- Integrates safety and compliance in one view with real-time risk detection
- Can be purchased standalone without requiring the full ELD package
Cons
- Overbuilt if you only need inspections, since it’s fundamentally a video-safety and telematics system
- DVIR is secondary to video telematics focus, making it less streamlined than dedicated inspection tools
- Detailed data can be overwhelming at first
Pricing: Custom pricing; possible to purchase DVIR solution on its own, without additional hardware
6. Fulcrum
Best for: Geotagging and custom inspections with map‑based visibility across field assets
Fulcrum is a general mobile forms and field‑data collection platform, but it’s possible to use it to build digital DVIR workflows. The drag-and-drop builder lets you design inspection forms exactly to your requirements, with no-code app building and integration-friendly workflows. Unlike purpose-built DVIR tools, Fulcrum’s strength lies in customization: you can build forms with conditional logic, custom fields, and unique validation rules that match specific operational needs.
Fulcrum also delivers strong operational visibility through dashboards, map views, and structured data export. Photos, timestamps, geotags, and custom fields make DVIRs auditable and easy to use as evidence. However, this flexibility comes with a tradeoff: Fulcrum requires more upfront configuration than dedicated DVIR platforms, and lacks built-in features like automated defect-to-work-order routing or compliance-specific dashboards.
Top Features
- Extremely customizable inspections: Build DVIR forms precisely to fleet requirements using a visual builder with conditional logic.
- Fast mobile reporting: Capture, review, edit, and transfer inspection data with photos and notes immediately from the field.
- Workflow automation: Automate validations, notifications, and data events without coding.
Pros
- Complete form design flexibility for unique inspection requirements
- Integration-friendly platform connects to analytics, GIS, databases, and automation tools
- Can incorporate field tech tools like sensors for advanced data collection
Cons
- Lacks specialized features like built-in maintenance workflows, compliance dashboards, or driver logs
- Limited built-in defect resolution tools
- Setup requires configuration effort to design forms and reporting for DVIR
Pricing: Starts at €36.52 ($43) per user for Professional plan
7. GPS Insight
Best for: Connecting inspections with route data and driver activity
GPS Insight is a telematics platform that includes FMCSA/NSC-compliant electronic DVIRs for US and Canadian regulatory requirements. Drivers can complete digital inspections through the GPS Insight Driveri or fleet mobile app. Inspection data can then be viewed alongside vehicle performance and activity. The platform includes FMCSA-certified ELD devices that are simple to install and built to keep fleets in compliance with HOS legislation.
The DVIR functionality integrates directly with GPS Insight’s broader fleet management tools, meaning inspection results appear in the same dashboard where managers monitor vehicle location, fuel consumption, and driver behavior. This unified view helps connect maintenance needs to operational patterns. The platform’s strength lies in this operational integration, though fleets seeking advanced inspection customization or AI-driven form building may find the DVIR feature more basic compared to inspection-focused platforms.
Top Features
- Compliance-ready digital inspections: Complete FMCSA/NSC-compliant eDVIRs, with customizable templates by asset type.
- Integration with fleet tracking: Connect inspection data with vehicle performance, activity, and telematics for unified visibility.
- Direct work order attachment: Team mechanics can attach work orders within the app and verify repairs with signature.
Pros
- Driver-friendly mobile app ensures compliance with straightforward workflows
- Flexible hardware device options that are simple to install
- Real-time data capabilities improve efficiency for managing maintenance and repairs
Cons
- Excels at telematics data but DVIR reporting is relatively basic
- Form builder has limited editing and field flexibility with less advanced conditional logic
- Some users mention challenges with managing user permissions
Pricing: Not listed on the website; custom pricing
8. Simply Fleet
Best for: Fuel and expense logging with regular checks, supported by a free starter plan
Simply Fleet offers straightforward vehicle inspection capabilities without the complexity of enterprise telematics systems. The platform combines DVIRs with maintenance tracking and fuel logging, making it practical for smaller operations watching costs closely. Drivers can complete inspections using a mobile app with pre-built checklists that require minimal training, while defects automatically feed into the maintenance system as work orders.
The platform’s strength lies in its simplicity and affordability rather than advanced automation. Fleet managers get centralized visibility into inspection status, upcoming service needs, and fuel costs in one dashboard. The intuitive interface and real-time data capabilities help manage preventive maintenance and repairs with ease, though teams needing sophisticated workflow automation or additional AI features and form logic may find the toolset more basic than inspection-focused platforms.
Top Features
- Simple mobile inspections: Easy-to-use app with built-in checklists and step-by-step driver guidance.
- Maintenance integration: Defects feed directly into work orders and service planning, with automated preventive maintenance scheduling.
- Fuel tracking: Monitor fuel costs alongside inspection data, with AI-powered fuel receipt scanning.
Pros
- Free plan available for very small fleets
- Low learning curve with intuitive interface
- Simplifies and automates preventive maintenance scheduling
Cons
- Limited automation compared to inspection-centric platforms
- Requires setup and configuration effort to design forms and workflows before rollout
- Fewer integrations than enterprise platforms
Pricing: Free starter plan for 5 vehicles; paid plan from €8 ($10) per month for 5 vehicle
Must-have features for compliance
Not every DVIR app solves the same problems. The features that matter depend on fleet size, existing systems, and where current processes break down. Here are four capabilities that separate effective solutions from basic digital forms:
- Mobile-first design that drivers actually use: Drivers won’t complete inspections if the app is clunky or slow. The best DVIR platforms prioritize mobile experience with large tap targets, minimal scrolling, and photo capture that works in poor lighting. Apps designed for desktop but not well-adapted for mobile create friction that leads to skipped inspections and incomplete documentation.
- Photo documentation with annotation tools: Text descriptions of defects leave room for interpretation. DVIR apps with built-in photo capture let drivers document exactly what’s wrong, while annotation tools enable them to circle cracks or or highlight damaged components. This visual evidence speeds up repair decisions and provides clear documentation during insurance claims.
- Customizable inspection checklists by vehicle type: A box truck inspection differs from a refrigerated trailer or flatbed. DVIR software that supports multiple checklist templates lets fleets tailor inspections to specific vehicle types, ensuring drivers check relevant components without wading through irrelevant items. An example would be Lumiform’s form builder, which includes access to pre-made templates:
- Digital signature capture for driver and mechanic sign-off: FMCSA compliance requires both driver and mechanic signatures on DVIRs. Digital signature capture eliminates the need to print, sign, scan, and file paper documents. The best platforms include timestamped signature workflows that create a complete chain of custody from defect identification through repair certification, making audit preparation straightforward.
FMCSA requirements for electronic DVIRs
Electronic DVIRs are legally accepted by the FMCSA when they meet documentation and retention standards outlined in 49 CFR § 396.11 and § 396.13. Here’s what the regulations require:
- Inspection timing: Pre-trip inspection before each driving day. Post-trip inspection after the last stop.
- Required documentation: Vehicle unit number, date, driver signature, and defect list (or “no defects” notation).
- Record retention: DVIRs kept for at least three months and producible during audits.
- Mechanic certification: Defects repaired and certified by a mechanic before the vehicle returns to service.
Electronic records with timestamps and signatures create a cleaner audit trail than paper files stuffed in folders. During DOT audits or roadside inspections, drivers can show DVIRs on mobile devices or print PDF reports.
Benefits of switching to digital
Switching from paper to digital DVIRs changes how inspection data flows through fleet operations:
- Faster inspections: Digital checklists with photo capture streamline the process compared to handwritten forms.
- Higher completion rates: Automated reminders and tracking reduce missed inspections.
- Faster defect resolution: Automated routing gets issues to mechanics immediately rather than waiting for paper to reach the shop.
- Audit-ready documentation: Digital records with timestamps are easier to produce during DOT audits than paper files.
Tips for choosing an inspection platform
The right platform depends on your fleet’s specific situation. A few questions help narrow the options:
| Factor | Questions to Consider |
|---|---|
| Fleet size | Does pricing scale affordably as you add vehicles? |
| Existing systems | Does the app integrate with your current systems, including ELD, telematics, or maintenance software? |
| Driver tech comfort | How much training will drivers require? Is the mobile app intuitive? |
| Inspection scope | Do you inspect only vehicles, or also trailers, equipment, and facilities? |
| Compliance needs | Does the platform include DOT-compliant templates and audit-ready reports? |
Running a pilot with 5–10 drivers before fleet-wide rollout reveals usability issues that demos don’t show. Real-world testing in actual yards and routes provides better insight than sales presentations.
Conduct efficient fleet inspections with the right DVIR app
The best DVIR software combines mobile usability, offline capability, automated defect workflows, and built-in FMCSA compliance documentation. Lumiform offers configurable inspection workflows with volume-friendly pricing designed for growing fleets. Book a demo to see how Lumiform handles DVIRs across your fleet and makes the process convenient, both for drivers and fleet managers.
You can also browse through 10,000+ free, customizable templates. These include DVIR checklists, vehicle condition reports, trailer inspections, and maintenance logs to get your inspection program running immediately.








