Vehicle Maintenance Files

Overview

Every motor carrier must systematically inspect, repair and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired and maintained, all motor vehicles subject to its control. Records for each vehicle must include:

1. An identification of the vehicle including company number, if so marked, make, serial number, year and tire size;
2. A means to indicate the nature and due date of the various inspection and maintenance operations to be performed;
3. A record of inspection, repairs and maintenance indicating their date and nature; and
4. A record of tests conducted on pushout windows, emergency doors and emergency door marking lights on buses.

Motor carriers must maintain records for each motor vehicle they control for 30 consecutive days. These records must be retained where the vehicle is either housed or maintained for a period of 1 year and for 6 months after the motor vehicle leaves the motor carrier’s control.