For fleets using Driver-facing Dashcams, driver privacy is often a concern before installation. Drivers may worry about being recorded while not working or when using a company vehicle off duty. Motive addresses these concerns by offering configurable camera options that protect Driver Privacy while maintaining access to critical safety footage. Driver Privacy controls allow fleets to balance safety oversight with trust and transparency.
How Driver Privacy helps you
With Driver Privacy configurations enabled:
Road-facing footage continues to capture driving behavior.
Driver-facing video and audio recording are disabled based on the selected configuration.
Drivers feel less continuously monitored, helping build trust.
Fleets can configure settings company-wide.
Fleets can adjust camera behavior based on operational needs.
Fleets can choose between continuous recording, disabling recording entirely, or disabling recording under specific conditions (engine off or vehicle stationary).
Overview
Once the Driver Privacy mode is activated, the AI Dashcam's LED light turns green. This indicates that the recording for the Driver Facing camera is disabled and is no longer actively capturing video or audio.
- The Driver Privacy mode in the AI Dashcams is activated after the vehicle has been stationary or the vehicle's engine has been disabled for 3 minutes, depending on the selected configuration.
- The Driver Privacy mode in Smart Dashcams is activated after the vehicle has been stationary or the vehicle's engine has been disabled for 3 minutes and 30 seconds, depending on the selected configuration.
- The Road Facing camera remains operational in all configurations as long as it’s powered on. Therefore, it continues to record.
- If the Engine-off recording setting is enabled, the road-facing camera continues to record once the vehicle’s engine turns off. Meanwhile, the Driver-facing Dashcam video and audio recording are disabled.
Enabling Driver Privacy mode:
- AI Dashcams: Driver Privacy Mode is enabled 3 minutes after the vehicle’s engine turns off. Once enabled, the AI Dashcam's LED bar shows a bright green status, signaling that the camera is no longer capturing any video or audio.
- Smart Dashcams: The mode activates 3 ½ minutes after the engine turns off. 30 seconds are also required to reboot the camera to re-enable the driver-facing camera. Note that Smart Dashcams do not have LED status indicators.
Enabling Driver Privacy controls
1. Log in to the Motive Fleet Dashboard and click the Admin icon at the bottom left corner.
2. Click Safety in the left-hand side menu.
3. Scroll down to the Dashcam section and click Edit.
4. In the Driver-facing camera setting, the default configuration is set to Always on. Open the dropdown menu to change the configuration according to your preferences.
5. After selecting the desired configuration, verify any potential changes to the additional Dashcam settings, including In-cab audio recording and Engine-Off Recording.
6. Once verified, click Save.
Off when the vehicle is stationary or idling
This Dashcam setting disables the Driver-facing Dashcam when the vehicle has been stationary or idle for 3 minutes while the engine is running. This ensures Drivers’ privacy when they wish to take a break in the vehicle while keeping other services running, such as heating or air conditioning.
Only record when the engine is on
The ‘Only record when the engine is on’ setting disables the Driver-facing Dashcam when the vehicle's engine is turned off. This setting is useful to safeguard the Drivers’ privacy when they turn the vehicle off to take a break, go Off Duty, or go into Sleeper Berth.
Always Off
The ‘Always Off’ setting disables the Driver-facing Dashcam at all times. This configuration is particularly suitable for vehicles that do not require Driver behavior evaluation or in-cab video or audio recording. When this setting is enabled, no in-cab video or audio recording is captured.
Always On (default)
The ‘Always On’ setting is the default configuration available for all Driver-facing Dashcams. This setting is suitable if the Drivers’ privacy is not a concern for the Fleet. Whenever the Always on setting is enabled, the video recording function is activated.
| Note: If the Engine-off recording setting is enabled, both the road-facing and Driver-facing cameras continue to record after the vehicle’s engine turns off. |
FAQ
Can I see live images of the driver in driver privacy mode?
No, if the Driver-facing camera has been disabled it doesn’t allow Fleet Admins/ Managers to see the Live images of the Driver-facing camera under Fleet View.
Is there a way for drivers to view a log or receive notifications when a live image or still shot is captured remotely from their Dashcam by someone in the office?
No. Today there is no way for drivers to see a log or receive notifications when a live image or still shot is captured remotely from their dashcam.
- Live Images (including refresh/still shots) are requested and viewed only by authorized fleet users from the Fleet Dashboard or Fleet App. These images show up with timestamps on the vehicle’s camera card and in historical activity views for managers, not in the Driver App.
- There is no driver-facing log or alert in the cab or Driver App that indicates when a Live Image request was made or completed.
- This is different from Live Streaming, where drivers do receive in-cab audio and visual alerts when a live stream starts and ends.
If drivers want to understand when and how these tools may be used, Motive recommends that fleets explain this in their internal privacy/safety policies, as outlined in the article above.
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