Service Evaluation
Introduction
Managing a fleet of vehicles in today’s economy means you must balance safety, productivity, regulatory compliance and cost control. If you are evaluating a telematics or vehicle-tracking solution, Motive deserves a close look. This review provides a detailed, unbiased analysis of how Motive works, its pricing, core features (including its fleet dashboard, tracking system, and dash cam hardware), and what to expect from its customer service and support. The assessment is based on official documentation, independent reviews and verified user feedback to offer credible insights. Pricing, hardware specifics and contract terms reflected here are based on publicly available data as of November 2025 and may change over time.How Motive Works
Motive is a fleet-management platform that helps businesses monitor vehicles and drivers, enforce safety standards, optimize routes and manage assets. Here’s how it typically functions: 1. Installation & device setup: A vehicle gateway (hardware device) is installed in a vehicle’s diagnostic port or hard-wired. This links into Motive’s system so location, vehicle health, and driver behavior data are captured. 2. Login and access: Administrators use the Motive Fleet Dashboard via the Motive login portal to manage vehicles, view maps and pull reports. Drivers may use the Motive Driver App to log hours, review trips and access mobile features. 3. Real-time tracking and telematics: The system captures GPS location in near real-time (company-reported refresh rates as low as one to three seconds in optimal configurations; actual rate depends on device and connection), driver behavior (such as harsh braking or distraction), vehicle diagnostics (engine codes, idle time) and optionally video via dash cams. 4. Fleet dashboard and analytics: Fleet managers use the Motive fleet dashboard to view vehicle location, asset movement, routing efficiency, maintenance alerts, and driver performance across the entire fleet. 5. Compliance, alerts and safety: For fleets subject to hours-of-service (HOS) rules, the system supports ELD compliance. Alerts notify managers of behavior risks or vehicle issues; human review of dash-cam events adds context to video alerts.- YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How to Choose the Best Tracking Device for Your Vehicle
People Also Ask
What is Motive? Motive is a fleet-management and telematics platform (formerly known as KeepTruckin) that offers vehicle tracking, driver-behavior monitoring, dash cams, asset tracking and compliance tools for fleets of all sizes. Does Motive record audio? While Motive’s fleet dash cam and driver-monitoring hardware support video capture and audio may be available in specific models, publicly available materials emphasise video and AI-driven event detection rather than standard audio recording. Prospective users should verify audio-capable hardware and jurisdictional legality. How much does Motive cost? Third-party reviews estimate pricing tiers from around $25 per vehicle/month for basic plans, with higher rates for AI dash cams and added functionality; hardware costs vary significantly and Motive does not publish flat-rate pricing.”Who It’s Best For
Motive is best for mid-sized to large fleets (or fleets prioritizing driver safety, asset tracking, and analytics) that want an integrated tracking, safety and compliance solution.Stand Out Features
Real-Time Fleet Tracking & Telematics: Industry-leading refresh rates (1-3 seconds) give immediate visibility into vehicle location and movement. AI-Powered Dash Cam & Driver Safety: Includes video hardware and AI event detection, backed by human review for driver-behavior insights. Comprehensive Fleet Dashboard: One platform to manage vehicles, assets, drivers, compliance, maintenance and routing via the Motive Fleet Dashboard. Compliance & ELD Support: Motive supports hours-of-service (HOS) recording, FMCSA certification and integrated driver apps. Scalable & Flexible Platform: Suitable for mixed fleets, assets and vehicles and integrates with mobile apps for drivers and managers.Pros and Cons
Pros
- Broad feature set covering tracking, safety, dash cams, compliance and asset management
- Strong reputation in independent reviews for driver behavior monitoring and fast refresh rates
- Flexible deployment across fleet sizes, with mobile and web access for drivers and managers
Cons
- Hardware pricing and contract terms are not fully disclosed publicly; quotes may be required and contract lengths can vary significantly
- Some user reviews cite slower customer-service response or contract renewal issues
Final Verdict
Motive offers a feature-rich platform with competitive real-time visibility, strong emphasis on driver safety and integrated telematics. For fleets needing comprehensive oversight, from vehicle tracking to driver behavior to compliance, it represents a compelling option. However, if your fleet is small, need only basic GPS tracking, or you are budget-sensitive and require transparent short-term contracts, consider comparing simpler/less costly alternatives.Reviews
Paula Starkey
Paula StarkeyCoaching of Drivers Motive is working well with our organization. The dual facing dashcams have helped us identify and fix poor driver habits real time. They send us notifica...
Paula StarkeyCoaching of Drivers Motive is working well with our organization. The dual facing dashcams have helped us identify and fix poor driver habits real time. They send us notifications and footage of the instance, that we use for helping with coaching.
Leah
Overall Motive is a good service, it provides a wide range of reports to download and use for things like safety, mileage, driver and vehicle workload, etc. One area that our company feels t...
Overall Motive is a good service, it provides a wide range of reports to download and use for things like safety, mileage, driver and vehicle workload, etc. One area that our company feels they could improve though, is the distance summary. Quite often it doesn't match up with the odometer.
IvyKyupryiska
Motive is a good platform for trucking companies. It has many advantages for tracking and Safety. They also have helpline that answers to every question 24/7 by chat, email or their phone nu...
Motive is a good platform for trucking companies. It has many advantages for tracking and Safety. They also have helpline that answers to every question 24/7 by chat, email or their phone number. They are responsible and helpful to all of their customers.