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Driver Profiles

Updated

Driver profiles are the foundation of effective fleet management in Motive. They ensure accurate hours of service (HOS) tracking, regulatory compliance, and streamlined driver onboarding—critical for both safety and operational efficiency.

Overview

Driver profiles in Motive centralize all key driver information, from contact details to compliance settings.

  • Accurate compliance: Ensure HOS data and logs meet regulatory requirements.
  • Centralized management: Store all driver details, licenses, and assignments in one place.
  • Flexible configuration: Customize settings for each driver or team.
  • Streamlined onboarding: Quickly add and manage new drivers in your organization.

Basics

A driver profile in Motive is a digital record containing all the essential information about a driver, including personal details, license information, and HOS settings. These profiles are crucial for tracking compliance, ensuring accurate log data, and assigning vehicles or assets.

Driver profiles allow you to:

  • Maintain up-to-date driver information.
  • Track compliance with HOS and safety regulations.
  • Connect drivers to specific vehicles.
  • Store key data such as contact info, license number, DOT ID, and cycle configuration.

By keeping driver profiles current, fleet managers ensure seamless log tracking and regulatory compliance .

Adding a driver

To onboard a new driver, follow these steps:

  1. In the Fleet Dashboard, go to Drivers.
  2. Click Add Driver.
  3. Enter required information: name, contact details, license information, and any company-specific details.
  4. For non-exempt drivers, set up the HOS cycle and configuration.
  5. Assign the driver to relevant groups if needed.
  6. Click Save to create the profile.

Accurate setup ensures the driver’s logs and compliance settings are correct from day one .

Time tracking modes

Time tracking modes determine how a driver’s HOS is tracked, depending on their role and regulatory requirements. This includes:

  • ELD mode (electronic logging device): For FMCSA ELD mandate compliance.
  • Electronic logbook: For digital tracking not strictly under the ELD mandate.
  • Timecard: To track hours for Drivers who don’t need to keep Records of Duty Status (RODS).
  • If a Driver does need to keep RODS, set their Time Tracking Method to Logs instead.
  • Not required to log: For exempt drivers.

Key differences:

  • Engine connectivity: ELDs sync directly with the vehicle engine; electronic logbooks do not.
  • Data automation & tamper-proofing: ELDs automate data capture and restrict editing; electronic logbooks offer more flexibility.
  • Data granularity: ELDs record detailed data, like location, every 60 minutes; electronic logbooks are less detailed.
  • Edit restrictions & annotations: ELDs require all edits to be annotated; electronic logbooks allow more flexible edits.

Editing driver profiles

Each driver profile contains:

  • Personal details: Name, contact information
  • License information: License number, license state, expiration
  • HOS settings: Cycle, exemptions, primary/secondary cycles
  • Company details: DOT ID, team assignments, custom fields

To update profile details:

  1. In the Fleet Dashboard, go to Drivers.
  2. Select and edit the driver’s profile.
  3. Modify necessary fields and save.

FAQs

What’s the difference between an electronic logbook and ELD mode?

ELD mode strictly follows FMCSA rules with automated, engine-synced data capture and limited editability. Electronic logbooks are more flexible but may not meet ELD requirements.

Can I edit a driver’s information after creating the profile?

Yes, driver profiles can be updated anytime from the Fleet Dashboard by selecting and editing the profile.

What happens if I change a driver’s log mode?

Changing log mode updates how logs are recorded and can impact compliance. Always ensure the selected mode matches the driver’s regulatory status.

Can I assign drivers to multiple teams or groups?

Yes, you can assign drivers to specific groups or teams for easier management and reporting.

How do I set up HOS cycles and exemptions?

Configure cycles and exemptions during driver profile creation or by editing the profile later under HOS settings.

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