Geotab Drive

Geotab Drive for Android is a fleet management companion that allows commercial drivers to use their smartphones as compliant electronic logging devices. The app manages everything from Hours of Service to vehicle inspections and synchs with the company’s telematics platform in the cloud.

What You Get When You Install

This isn’t your everyday navigation app – it’s designed solely for commercial fleet operations. The software provides ELD compliance certified by the FMCSA to allow drivers to electronically log their Hours of Service with no paper logbook. It automatically changes status as drivers switch from driving to on-duty to off-duty, saving a ton of admin time. The dashboard, when partnered with a Geotab GO device in the vehicle, manages Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports, driver identification, and on-road fleet tracking.

The app truly improves the workflow of commercial vehicle inspections. Drivers can do a pre-trip inspection and post-trip inspection right on their phones. They can snap a picture of defects and instantly submit the report. With built-in route and location dispatching, in-app messaging ensures that drivers stay connected to dispatchers without using multiple applications. The platform offers support for Geotab Marketplace add-ons; fuel trackers, tools for route optimization, and other fleet compliance software extensions that cater to specific operations. With the help of cloud-based data synchronization, the interface MyGeotab allows managers to see a driver’s activities, violations, and compliance in real-time.

The Catch with Subscription Requirements

The fact is: you can’t use this app by itself. In order to utilize the complete functionality of the system, a Geotab GO hardware device installed in your vehicle is necessary, along with an active Geotab tracking service plan. The firm has Regulatory, Pro and ProPlus tiers but pricing is not straight forward. Third party resellers determine the charges – which vary. Moreover, most of the plans need the customer to sign-up for minimum three-year contracts. Your users say that the service costs may go higher than a competing solution such as Verizon or Samsara, which at times come at a lower monthly rate.

It is necessary to have a constant cellular data connection for the app to work properly. The app needs a constant connection for real-time tracking of the fleet and messaging of drivers. Drivers who work in low coverage areas will not be capable offline. Compared to rivals, Geotab Drive has fewer integrations and features overall. Fleetio and other entry-level alternatives are cheaper, but have less features. But the real limitation? You are fully equipped with the Geotab hardware and subscription. To get in a walled garden where everything works together, only if you give everything up.

Who Should Actually Use This

The app does not have ads, nor in-app purchases except for the essential service plan. It is the best solution if you are looking for a high-quality telematics solution for mid-to-large commercial fleets who need bulletproof regulatory compliance. Using driver identification system and rule-based alerts helps fleet manage to keep safe within ambit.

The hardware requirements and contract commitments will be too high for independent operators or small businesses. If you operate a pair of trucks and aren’t in need of enterprise-grade fleet compliance software, this is probably not the solution for you. To companies with dozens of vehicles in multiple states- and whose regulatory violations carry heavy fines- the automated logging, real-time tracking, and comprehensive reporting make it worth the investment. The app can change smartphones into compliance workstations that keep drivers legal and managers in the know. This matters more than any one feature when your business depends on being road-ready.