The Motive Driver App offers secure and efficient messaging tools that keep drivers connected with their fleet. From dispatch updates to quick check-ins, the in-app messaging system ensures reliable communication without compromising safety or compliance.
Overview
Messaging in the Motive Driver App enables drivers to communicate seamlessly with their team. They can chat one-on-one, participate in group chats, or receive company-wide announcements, all in one place. These tools help drivers stay informed, manage tasks efficiently, and reduce the need for external communication apps while on the road. Key features include:
- Flexible communication: Easily chat with individuals, groups, and teams. Receive broadcast messages from your management, ensuring you’re always in the loop and can address issues in real time.
- Media sharing: Send photos or share your location instantly to resolve issues faster and provide visual context for better support.
- Safety-first design: Messaging features automatically adjust when driving to reduce distractions and keep your focus on the road.
- Message tracking: Read receipts show when your message has been seen, so you know your communication was received and reviewed.
Basics
- Direct Messages: Direct messages are those between you and another driver or manager. Direct messages can also be sent to and from groups. They allow for messages to be initiated and replied to, with the whole group able to see all messages.
- Team Messages: Teams are communication groups that are set up by a fleet admin to ensure efficient communication when dispatchers change shifts. Everybody on the team will always have up-to-date context.
- Broadcast Messages: Broadcasts are one-way from a manager to a group of drivers and managers. Replies to broadcast messages do not go to all recipients; they just go to the manager who wrote the message as a private, direct message.
Sending messages in the Driver App
Log in to the Motive Driver App and tap the Menu (☰) icon.
Tap Messages.
Tap the + icon to start a new message.
Choose your recipients:
Individual: Select one person from the list.
Multiple people: Select more than one person to create a broadcast message.
Team: Select an existing team to send a message to the full group.
Type your message in the text field.
To share additional items, tap the + icon and choose among New Photo, Existing Photo, File, or Location.
Tap the Send (>) icon to send your message.
Managing notifications with Driver Lock Screen (DLS) enabled
Driver Lock Screen
The Motive Driver App includes Driver Lock Screen (DLS) protections to help prevent distractions:
- When the vehicle is in motion: Messaging from Motive is restricted to keep drivers focused.
- On Android devices: If enabled on your device, messages may be read aloud using text-to-speech.
- On iOS devices: Message previews appear when Driver Lock Screen is enabled.
Notifications on Android
- Push notifications are displayed during the Driver Lock Screen (DLS) for all apps except Motive.
- Drivers can enable the Read notifications during Drive/Inspection Modes setting from the app settings.
- This setting is off by default.
- When enabled, notifications for dispatch, messages, and HOS violations are read aloud using text-to-speech (TTS) for a hands-free experience.
- Other Motive notifications are not displayed or read aloud on the DLS.
- The Play Button Queue setting allows drivers to choose when to listen to TTS notifications, instead of hearing them immediately.
Notifications on iOS
- Push notifications are displayed in Driver Lock Screen mode for all apps, including Motive.
- Currently, audible notifications are not supported on iOS devices.
FAQs
Can I message other drivers directly?
Yes, if your fleet has enabled driver-to-driver messaging, you can chat with other drivers in your organization.
What is a team chat?
Team chats let you message a team that has been set up by your fleet manager (for example, your region’s dispatchers) so all team members can stay in the loop.
How do I know if my message was read?
Double green checkmarks appear next to your message once it’s been read.
Can I send photos in a message?
Yes. You can attach photos from your device or take a new one to share directly in the conversation.
Can drivers use messaging while the vehicle is moving?
When the Driver Lock Screen (DLS) is enabled, drivers cannot send or read messages while the vehicle is in motion to help prevent distracted driving. Android users can enable text-to-speech (TTS) to have messages read aloud, while iOS users only receive lock-screen notifications.
Who sees my reply to a broadcast message?
Replies go privately to the original sender, not to the full group.
Share this with others