WASHINGTON — The date when no-defect driver vehicle inspection reports will be required on intermodal equipment has been extended.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended the compliance deadline until June 30, 2012. The previous date was June 30, 2011.

At that point, drivers and motor carriers need to prepare a driver-vehicle inspection report (DVIR) on an item of intermodal equipment when no damage, defects, or deficiencies are discovered by, or reported to, the driver.

The Agency says it needs more time to address, through a notice-and-comment rulemaking proceeding, a petition to rescind the requirement for no-defect DVIRs.

The Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association and the Institute of International Container Lessors submitted a joint petition requesting the requirerment be dropped as it imposes an undue burden on drivers, motor carriers, IEPs, and intermodal facilities.

The FMCSA emphasizes that in the meantime, all requirements concerning DVIRs that include damage, defects, or deficiencies to intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) remains in effect, as well as the requirements for IEPs to take appropriate action in addressing the safety issues identified by such reports.

An estimated 96 percent of the chassis in-gated at intermodal facilities have no known damage or defects.