Driver Logs
Driver logs are the electronic records of your drivers’ duty status throughout each working day. In RouteMate, these logs replace traditional paper logbooks and give you a clear, real-time view of what every driver in your fleet has been doing — and whether they are in compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
Viewing Driver Logs
Section titled “Viewing Driver Logs”To view a driver’s logs:
- Navigate to Compliance > Driver Logs from the main menu.
- Select a driver from the driver list or use the search bar to find them by name or employee ID.
- Choose the date you want to review using the date picker. You can also navigate forward and backward one day at a time using the arrow buttons.
The log view loads with the selected driver’s record for that day.
Understanding the Log Grid
Section titled “Understanding the Log Grid”The main section of the driver log page is a 24-hour grid that visually represents the driver’s duty status over the course of the day. The grid uses horizontal bars color-coded by status:
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Off Duty | The driver is not working and has no responsibility for the vehicle. |
| Sleeper Berth | The driver is resting in the vehicle’s sleeper berth compartment. |
| Driving | The driver is operating the commercial motor vehicle. |
| On Duty (Not Driving) | The driver is working but not behind the wheel (e.g., loading, inspections, paperwork). |
Each bar spans the time period the driver spent in that status. Transitions between statuses appear as vertical lines on the grid, making it easy to see exactly when a driver changed duty status throughout the day.
Log Details
Section titled “Log Details”Below or alongside the grid, you will find additional details for the selected log:
- Locations — Each status change records the driver’s geographic location (city, state, and coordinates).
- Remarks — Notes added by the driver or by a fleet manager during edits. These provide context for status changes.
- Vehicle Info — The vehicle and any trailers associated with the log entry, including unit numbers and VIN.
- Co-driver — If a team driving arrangement is in effect, the co-driver is shown here.
- Shipping Documents — Any shipping document or manifest numbers the driver entered for the day.
Editing Driver Logs
Section titled “Editing Driver Logs”As a fleet manager, you may need to edit a driver’s log to correct errors or add missing information. Log editing requires the ROLE_FLEET_EDIT_LOGS permission on your account.
To edit a log:
- Open the driver’s log for the date you need to change.
- Click the Edit button.
- Make your changes — you can adjust duty status times, add remarks, or correct location data.
- Provide an annotation explaining the reason for the edit. This annotation is required by regulation and becomes part of the permanent record.
- Click Save.
After you save an edit, the driver receives a notification on their mobile app and must review and either accept or reject the change.
Note: All log edits are permanently recorded in the audit trail. FMCSA regulations require that both the original and edited versions of a log be retained. Edits cannot be deleted once saved.
Reviewing Log Edit Requests
Section titled “Reviewing Log Edit Requests”Drivers can also propose edits to their own logs, which require your review and approval.
- Look for the Pending Edits indicator on the driver’s log or in your notifications.
- Open the edit request to see what the driver wants to change and their stated reason.
- Review the proposed changes against the original log.
- Accept or Reject the edit request. If you reject it, the original log remains unchanged.
Tip: Stay on top of pending edit requests. Unresolved edits can cause confusion during audits and DOT inspections.
Exporting Logs
Section titled “Exporting Logs”You can export driver logs for recordkeeping, audits, or sharing with compliance staff.
- Open the driver’s log for the desired date or date range.
- Click the Export button.
- Choose your format:
- PDF — A formatted report suitable for printing or emailing. This matches the standard ELD output format.
- CSV — A spreadsheet-friendly format for data analysis.
- The file downloads to your computer.
Tip: When preparing for a DOT audit, use the PDF export. It includes all the fields and formatting that inspectors expect to see.
HOS Violation Indicators
Section titled “HOS Violation Indicators”RouteMate automatically monitors each driver’s log for Hours of Service violations and flags them directly on the log grid.
Violations appear as colored markers or highlighted sections on the timeline. Common violations include:
- Driving beyond the 11-hour limit — The driver exceeded the maximum allowed driving time.
- Exceeding the 14-hour on-duty window — The driver’s workday extended beyond the permitted window.
- Insufficient rest break — The driver did not take a required 30-minute break.
- Weekly cycle exceeded — The driver went over their 60-hour or 70-hour weekly limit.
Click on a violation indicator to see details about the specific rule that was broken, the duration of the violation, and when it occurred.
Note: Violation indicators update in near real-time as log data comes in from the ELD. If a driver is currently in violation, you will see it reflected on their log promptly.