Motive Driver App: Login, Setup & Using the Driver ELD & Logbook

Everything CDL drivers and owner-operators need: first-time login, ELD Bluetooth pairing, HOS logbook setup, DVIR, DOT inspection mode, and troubleshooting.

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Introduction

You're sitting in the cab 20 minutes before departure, and your fleet manager just confirmed you need to be logged in and running before you pull out of the yard. If you're new to the motive driver app, or switching over from a paper log or a different ELD system, the first login can feel like more steps than it should be. This guide cuts straight to what you need.

The motive driver app login process, the ELD connection, the logbook setup: all of it is covered below in plain language. Whether you drive for a carrier that set up your account or you’re an owner-operator configuring everything yourself, these steps apply to both. The Motive app runs on iOS and Android and replaces paper logs with a compliant electronic logbook that meets FMCSA ELD mandate requirements.

Steps in this guide reflect the current app version as of the publication date. UI details may vary slightly based on your device or account configuration.

What the Motive Driver App Does for CDL Drivers and Owner-Operators

The motive driver eld app is the driver-facing side of the Motive platform. It’s the tool that CDL drivers, owner-operators, and any driver subject to the FMCSA ELD mandate use to record hours of service, submit DVIRs, receive dispatch messages, and transfer logs during roadside inspections.

The app works in tandem with a physical ELD device, either the Motive ELD or Motive Gateway, that plugs into the truck’s diagnostic port. The device captures engine data directly, and the app translates that into a legal electronic log. You don’t manually track driving time; the device records it automatically when the vehicle moves.

For drivers who used the KeepTruckin app before the platform rebrand, the Motive driver app is the same product under a new name. Your login credentials carried over, and the core logbook interface works the same way.

What the App Covers

App Feature	What It Does
HOS Logbook	Records duty status, driving time, rest breaks, and cycle hours
DVIR	Pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspection reports
DOT Inspection Mode	Displays current logs for roadside inspection officer review
Log Transfer	Sends certified logs to DOT officials via web services or email
Dispatch Messaging	Receives messages from fleet managers and dispatchers
GPS Tracking	Shares location with fleet admin in real time
Driver Scorecard	Displays safety score, hard braking, and speeding events
Co-Driver Mode	Supports team driving with two drivers on one device

The app is free to download. An active Motive account, created either by you (owner-operators) or by your fleet’s admin, is required to log in.

How to Download the Motive Driver App

The motive driver app download is available through both major app stores. The process takes about two minutes on a standard cellular connection.

Downloading on iPhone (iOS)

Open the App Store on your iPhone

Use the default App Store app pre-installed on your device.

Search for "Motive Driver" in the search bar

Look for the app published by Motive Technologies, Inc. The icon shows the Motive logo. Don't download third-party apps with similar names.

Tap Get and authenticate

Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.

Tap Open when finished

Minimum iOS requirement: iOS 14.0 or later. iPhones older than the iPhone 6s may not support the current app version.

Downloading on Android

Open the Google Play Store on your Android device

Use the Play Store app pre-installed on your device.

Search for "Motive Driver"

Select the app published by Motive Technologies, Inc.

Tap Install and wait for the download to complete

Minimum Android requirement: Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later. Older devices may experience performance issues or may not support the app at all.

Tap Open when the installation finishes

The app is ready to use once opened.

A Note on Device Compatibility: The Motive app uses Bluetooth to communicate with the ELD device and GPS to track location. Both features must be enabled on your phone or tablet for the app to work correctly during a shift. A phone with GPS disabled or Bluetooth permissions denied will not pair with the ELD or track location accurately.

Motive Driver App Login: Step-by-Step Walkthrough

The motive app login screen is the first thing you see after opening the app. The login process is short, but there are a couple of steps that trip up first-time users.

Step-by-Step: First-Time Login

Open the Motive Driver app on your phone

Launch the app from your home screen or app drawer.

Tap "Log In" on the welcome screen

Do not tap "Sign Up" unless you're creating a brand-new account as an owner-operator.

Enter your username or email address

If your fleet admin created your account, they sent you an invite email with your login credentials. Use the email address that received that invite.

Enter your password

First-time users are often prompted to create a new password after entering the temporary one from the invite email. Choose something you'll remember and store it somewhere safe.

Allow app permissions when prompted

The app will request access to your location, Bluetooth, camera, and notifications. Grant all of these. Denying location or Bluetooth access will prevent ELD pairing and GPS tracking.

Select your carrier or motor carrier name if prompted

Some accounts, particularly owner-operators running under multiple authorities, may see a carrier selection screen.

You're now on the driver home screen

From here you'll start your DVIR and connect to your vehicle.

Logging In with a KeepTruckin Account

If you were on the KeepTruckin app before the Motive rebrand, your credentials work in the Motive driver eld app without any changes. The backend accounts migrated over. Just enter the same email and password you used with KeepTruckin. If the credentials don’t work, use the “Forgot Password” option on the login screen to reset.

Logging In as an Owner-Operator

Owner-operators who set up their own Motive account sign up at gomotive.com first, then log in through the driver app with the credentials created during account setup. You’ll also need to complete ELD device pairing (covered below) and configure your HOS rule set in the app settings under Profile > Hours of Service Rules.

Connecting the App to Your Truck and ELD Device

After the motive eld app login, the next step is connecting your phone to the ELD device in the truck. This is where Bluetooth pairing happens, and it’s the step that generates the most confusion for new drivers.

How the ELD Connection Works

The Motive ELD or Motive Gateway device plugs into the truck’s OBD-II port or J1939 port, depending on the vehicle type. The device reads engine data directly: RPM, ignition state, odometer reading, and vehicle speed. That data flows to the Motive driver app over a Bluetooth connection, and the app converts it into compliant HOS log entries.

You do not manually log driving time. Once the app is connected to the device and the truck moves above five miles per hour, the app automatically switches your duty status to Driving.

Step-by-Step: Pairing the App to the ELD Device

If the App Won't Connect to the ELD: Connection failures at this step almost always come down to three things: Bluetooth is off on the phone, the ELD device isn't powered (check that the truck's ignition is fully on, not just accessory mode), or the device is assigned to a different vehicle in the admin dashboard. Check all three before assuming the device is faulty.

Using the Motive Logbook for HOS Tracking

The motive log book is the electronic version of the paper grid log that drivers under the ELD mandate are required to maintain. The Motive driving app displays it as a 24-hour grid showing duty status segments: Off Duty, Sleeper Berth, Driving, and On Duty (Not Driving).

Duty Status Changes

When the truck moves, the app automatically records Driving status. When you stop, it doesn’t automatically switch you to Off Duty. You have to manually change your status after stopping. Go to the home screen and tap the duty status button, then select the appropriate status.

Common duty status transitions drivers get wrong:

Forgetting to switch to "On Duty (Not Driving)" when fueling, loading, or doing pre-trip inspections. These activities count against your on-duty time, and they need to be logged correctly.
Forgetting to switch to "On Duty (Not Driving)" when fueling, loading, or doing pre-trip inspections. These activities count against your on-duty time, and they need to be logged correctly.
Not recording Personal Conveyance (PC) correctly. If your carrier allows PC use, you activate it from the duty status menu before moving the vehicle for personal reasons. Driving without PC active while off-duty records as unidentified driving in the fleet admin dashboard.

Reviewing Your HOS Hours

Tap the Hours of Service section on the app home screen to see your current cycle hours. The display shows:

Drive Time Remaining: Hours left before hitting the 11-hour daily driving limit (US property-carrying rule)
Shift Time Remaining: Hours left in the 14-hour on-duty window
Break Time Remaining: Countdown if the 30-minute break requirement hasn't been satisfied
Cycle Time Remaining: Hours left in the 60/70-hour cycle before a 34-hour restart is required

HOS Rule Sets in the Motive Driver App

Your HOS rule set determines how the app calculates your available hours. The rule sets available in the Motive platform include:

Rule Set	Cycle Limit	Driving Limit	Rest Requirement
US 60-Hour/7-Day	60 hours in 7 days	11 hours/day	10 consecutive hours off duty
US 70-Hour/8-Day	70 hours in 8 days	11 hours/day	10 consecutive hours off duty
Canada South	70 hours in 7 days	13 hours/day	8 consecutive hours off duty
Canada North	80 hours in 7 days	13 hours/day	8 consecutive hours off duty
Short-Haul Exemption	No ELD required	11 hours/day	Must return to home terminal daily

Your carrier or fleet admin sets the rule set on the admin side. If your rule set looks wrong in the app, contact your fleet manager. They’ll adjust it in the admin portal, and the change will sync to your app.

ELD Compliance: What the App Handles for You

The FMCSA ELD mandate, which went into full effect in 2019, requires most CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles in interstate commerce to use a certified ELD device. The Motive ELD is listed on the FMCSA’s registered ELD device list.

The motive eld app handles the compliance-heavy parts of the mandate automatically once the device is correctly paired. That includes automatic recording of driving time, engine synchronization, and time/date stamping of duty status changes.

DOT Inspection Mode

During a roadside inspection, a DOT officer will ask to see your logs. The Motive driver app has a dedicated inspection mode for this.

Open the Motive driver app

Launch the app from your home screen.

Tap DOT Inspection on the home screen

This activates the read-only inspection view.

Hand your phone (or tablet) to the officer

The inspection mode displays your current and previous seven days of logs in a read-only format. The officer can scroll through logs without being able to edit anything.

Electronic Log Transfer

For officers who prefer a digital transfer instead of reviewing the device screen:

Editing Logs After the Fact

Drivers can request edits to their own logs if an error was made, for example if a duty status change was missed or the wrong vehicle was selected. Go to Logs > [Date] > Edit. Add an annotation explaining why the edit is being requested. The edit goes to your fleet admin for approval. You cannot edit a log without that annotation, and you cannot delete a certified log entry.

Co-Driver Mode and Team Driving

Team drivers sharing a cab both need active Motive accounts. The gomo driver app supports co-driver mode so both drivers’ logs stay compliant on a single device without mixing up HOS records.

Setting Up Co-Driver Mode

First driver logs in and connects to the vehicle as normal

Complete the standard login and ELD pairing process.

Tap Co-Driver on the home screen

This opens the co-driver login prompt.

Second driver enters their login credentials on the same device

Both drivers are now logged in. The app tracks each driver's duty status independently.

Switch duty statuses at each driver swap

When the sleeping driver takes over the wheel, they switch their status to Driving and the other driver switches to Sleeper Berth.

Watch out: If the sleeper driver forgets to switch their status to Sleeper Berth before the other driver takes over, their log will show On Duty time they weren't actually accumulating. Review logs at each driver swap to catch this early.

Driver Support and App Troubleshooting

Most motive driver app problems fall into a handful of categories. These are the ones reported most often, along with how to fix them.

App Won't Connect to ELD via Bluetooth

This is the most common issue. Work through this in order: Confirm the truck ignition is fully on (not accessory mode). Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone. Open your phone’s Bluetooth settings and look for the Motive device in the paired devices list. If it shows as “Not Connected,” tap it to reconnect manually. If the device doesn’t appear in Bluetooth settings at all, go to the app’s Settings > Devices and tap Scan for Devices. If it still doesn’t appear, turn the ignition off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. The device reboots with the ignition cycle.

GPS Not Tracking Accurately

Location permission must be set to “Always” in your phone’s app settings, not just “While Using.” If GPS shows you in the wrong location or stops updating mid-trip, check Phone Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Motive Driver and confirm it’s set to Always.

Logs Not Syncing to Fleet Admin Dashboard

If your fleet manager can’t see your logs on their end, but your app shows them correctly, it’s a sync issue. Pull down on the logbook screen to manually trigger a sync. If that doesn’t work, check your cellular signal. The app queues log data when offline and uploads it when connectivity is restored. Don’t close the app or force-quit it mid-shift, as that can interrupt the sync queue.

Forgot Motive Driver App Password

On the login screen, tap Forgot Password and enter the email address on your account. Motive sends a reset link to that inbox. If you don’t have access to that email anymore, contact your fleet admin. They can update your email address from the admin dashboard before you attempt the password reset.

Motive Driver Support Contact Options

For issues that can’t be resolved through the app, Motive provides motive driver support through multiple channels:

Live Chat: Available through the gomotive.com website. Click the support icon in the bottom right corner.
Phone Support: The motive driver customer service number is listed on the gomotive.com support page. Hours and availability may vary. Check the official site for current contact details.
In-App Help: Tap the menu icon in the Motive driver app and select Help Center for searchable troubleshooting articles.

Tip: For account-level issues like a locked account or a login that stopped working after a carrier change, your fleet admin can often resolve it faster than a support ticket. Contact them first. For additional troubleshooting steps, read our guide on fixing Motive admin login errors on motivelogin.com.

Motive Driver App en Español

The Motive driver app supports Spanish as a display language. To switch to motive driver en español, go to Profile > Settings > Language and select Español. The logbook interface, duty status labels, and DVIR prompts all display in Spanish. Support documentation in Spanish is also available through the gomotive.com help center.

Official Dashboard Access

Always log in through the official GoMotive portal — never through third-party pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I log in to the Motive driver app for the first time?

Download the Motive Driver app from the App Store or Google Play, then tap “Log In” on the welcome screen. Enter the email address and temporary password from your carrier’s invite email. You’ll be prompted to create a new password immediately. If you’re an owner-operator setting up a new account, create your account at gomotive.com first, then log in through the app using those credentials.

Is the Motive driver app free to download?

The motive driver app download is free from both the App Store and Google Play. An active Motive account is required to use it. If you drive for a carrier, they manage the account and the associated costs. Owner-operators pay for a Motive subscription directly through gomotive.com.

What is the Motive ELD app and how does it work?

The motive eld app is the Motive Driver app functioning as a compliant electronic logging device. It pairs with a physical Motive ELD or Motive Gateway device installed in the truck’s diagnostic port. The device captures engine data and sends it to the app over Bluetooth. The app automatically records driving time and displays your HOS log as a legal electronic record that meets FMCSA ELD mandate requirements.

How do I connect the Motive app to my truck?

Turn on the truck’s ignition, enable Bluetooth on your phone, log in to the Motive driver app, and tap “Connect to Vehicle.” Select your assigned vehicle from the list. The app pairs with the ELD device automatically over Bluetooth within 30 seconds. A green connection indicator confirms the pairing. If pairing fails, confirm the ignition is fully on (not accessory mode) and that Bluetooth permissions are granted to the app.

What is the difference between the Motive driver app and the KeepTruckin app?

The motive driving app and the KeepTruckin app are the same product. KeepTruckin rebranded to Motive in 2022. Drivers who used the KeepTruckin app can log in to the Motive driver app with their existing credentials. No account migration is required. The core logbook functionality works the same way.

Can I use the Motive driver app without a physical ELD device?

No. The app requires a paired Motive ELD or Motive Gateway device to record driving time accurately from engine data. Without a connected device, the app cannot meet FMCSA ELD mandate compliance requirements. Owner-operators need to purchase the hardware separately from gomotive.com.

How do I switch the Motive driver app to Spanish?

Go to Profile > Settings > Language and select Español. The full logbook interface, duty status options, and DVIR screens display in Spanish. If your phone’s system language is set to Spanish, the app may default to it automatically on first launch.

How do I contact Motive driver customer service?

Motive driver support is available through live chat at gomotive.com, by phone (check gomotive.com for the current motive driver customer service number and hours), and through the in-app Help Center under the app menu. For account or login issues tied to a carrier account, contact your fleet admin first, as they can often resolve access problems directly from the admin portal.

Conclusion

Getting the motive driver app set up correctly from the start saves a lot of problems down the road. Download from the official app stores, log in with your carrier-issued credentials, complete the Bluetooth pairing with your ELD device, and run through the pre-trip DVIR before every shift.

Keep your duty status updated manually at stops, review your HOS hours before long runs, and know how to pull up DOT inspection mode if you get flagged at a weigh station.

For any login or account issue that the app itself can’t resolve, gomotive.com is the official resource for support and account management. For deeper guidance on ELD compliance and fleet administration, explore our Motive ELD logbook guide and our Motive admin login walkthrough on motivelogin.com.