Truck Component
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD + AI dashcam
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) · Telematics / ELD · ELD + AI dashcam + fleet management
Class 4-8
In production
Telematics / ELD
Manufacturer
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin)
Category
Telematics / ELD
Subtype
ELD + AI dashcam + fleet management
Class
Class 4-8
What this component does
Motive (rebranded from KeepTruckin in 2022) is the #2 telematics platform in North America by fleet adoption, with strong focus on owner-operators and small-to-mid-size fleets. Last private valuation $2.85B (2022). Motive's product mirrors Samsara's feature set: FMCSA-registered ELD, GPS tracking, AI dashcam (forward + driver-facing), driver scoring, vehicle diagnostics, and a driver app. Motive has competed aggressively on price vs Samsara — typical pricing $30-45/truck/month vs Samsara's $45-60. Major fleet customers include Schneider Logistics, AB Inbev, McKesson Distribution, and tens of thousands of owner-operators.
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Motive (formerly KeepTruckin)
- Category
- Telematics / ELD
- Subtype
- ELD + AI dashcam + fleet management
- Truck class
- Class 4-8
- Production
- 2014–present
- Applications
- Fleet management, HOS compliance, owner-operator + small fleet
Design and engineering
Vehicle gateway via 9-pin J1939. Cellular backhaul. Optional dashcam unit (sold separately or bundled). Driver app on Android/iOS for HOS, DVIR, dispatch.
Generations
- KeepTruckin (2014–2019)Original brand — ELD launch.
- KT AI Dashcam (2020–2021)AI dashcam added.
- Motive (2022–present)Rebrand to Motive. Enhanced AI, fuel-card integration, freight matching marketplace.
Reliability and longevity
Strong reliability. Cellular coverage same dependencies as Samsara.
Common problems
Some early KeepTruckin units had cellular antenna issues — addressed in hardware revs 2020+. Driver app occasionally has HOS sync delays.
Maintenance schedule
Maintenance-free hardware. OTA software updates. Monthly subscription.
Pros and cons
Pros
- ✓More affordable than Samsara
- ✓Strong owner-operator + small-fleet focus
- ✓FMCSA-registered ELD
- ✓Bundled freight marketplace
- ✓Fuel card integration (Motive Card)
Cons
- !Less enterprise-feature depth vs Samsara
- !AI dashcam quality slightly behind Samsara in early-generation hardware
- !Customer support varies by tier
Trucks that use this component
Related DTC codes
Other Telematics / ELD components
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- Lytx DriveCam / DriveCam Plus (AI dashcam + coaching)Lytx
- Platform Science Rio (OEM-integrated telematics)Platform Science
- Samsara VG34 / VG54 (ELD + telematics)Samsara
- Omnitracs (now Solera) Roadnet + Omnitracs ELDSolera (formerly Omnitracs)
Related
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD + AI dashcam?
The Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD + AI dashcam is a fleet telematics platform used in Class 4-8 commercial trucks. Motive (rebranded from KeepTruckin in 2022) is the #2 telematics platform in North America by fleet adoption, with strong focus on owner-operators and small-to-mid-size fleets. Last private valuation $2.85B (2022). Motive's product mirrors Samsara's feature set: FMCSA-registered ELD, GPS tracking, AI dashcam (forward + driver-facing), driver scorin
Is this an FMCSA-registered ELD?
The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate went into effect December 18, 2017 — every interstate carrier must use an FMCSA-registered ELD to record driver hours-of-service. The FMCSA maintains a public ELD registry at csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/ELD/ListOfELDs — verify any telematics product is on the current list before purchasing. Self-certification was tightened in 2020 and many non-compliant vendors were removed; check the registry, not the vendor's marketing claims. If you operate within a single state only (intrastate) or fall under the short-haul exemption (49 CFR 395.1(e)), you may be exempt from the ELD requirement.
How much does fleet telematics cost?
Subscription pricing typically ranges $25-60 per truck per month depending on features. Entry-level ELD-only: $25-35/month (Motive, Geotab base). Mid-tier with GPS + driver scoring: $35-50/month (Samsara base, Motive Pro). Premium with AI dashcam + coaching: $50-80/month (Samsara full, Lytx). Hardware costs vary: $200-1,000 per vehicle one-time for gateway + dashcam. Multi-year contracts typically discount 10-20%. Most fleets see ROI through reduced insurance premiums (10-30% reduction), fewer accidents, and lower fuel costs from driver behavior coaching.
Will this platform integrate with my TMS?
Most major platforms have APIs and standard integrations with the leading TMS systems (McLeod, TMW, AscendTMS, Trimble TMS, MercuryGate). Samsara and Motive have the broadest pre-built integrations. Geotab's Marketplace ecosystem includes 200+ pre-built integrations. For custom integrations, all major platforms provide REST APIs. If you use a smaller or proprietary TMS, ask the telematics vendor for a sandbox account to validate API compatibility before committing.
What about driver-facing cameras and privacy?
Driver-facing cameras are a major adoption barrier for many fleets. The privacy concern is real: drivers feel constantly monitored, and some carriers report increased turnover after implementing inward-facing AI cameras. Counter-arguments: AI dashcams reduce accidents 20-40% in fleet studies (Lytx, Samsara published data) and clear video evidence protects drivers from false claims after collisions. Best practices: (1) be transparent with drivers about what is recorded and reviewed; (2) use AI-event-triggered recording (not continuous) to reduce privacy footprint; (3) include drivers in safety review meetings showing how the data is used; (4) reward improved scores, not just penalize bad ones. Some states have specific consent and notice laws — check Illinois BIPA, California CCPA, New York biometric laws.
How does this affect CSA scores?
Quality telematics platforms with driver coaching reduce CSA violations significantly: HOS BASIC violations drop 50-70% in carriers transitioning from paper logs to ELD (per FMCSA data), Unsafe Driving BASIC improves 20-40% with AI dashcam + coaching deployment, and Vehicle Maintenance BASIC improves with engine-fault-code monitoring catching DTCs before roadside citations. Insurance carriers increasingly require telematics on heavy-truck policies (commonly Samsara, Motive, or Lytx-equivalent) to maintain coverage above the minimum FMCSA $750K liability.