Motive ELD Review 2026: Pricing, Features and Verdict
Prices, terms and registration details here were checked October 2026 against the official provider and FMCSA pages listed under Sources. If a provider doesn't publish a price, we say so instead of guessing.
If you've been in trucking a while, you probably still call it KeepTruckin. Motive is the same company and the same ELD under a new name, and it's one of the platforms you'll hear about first when you start shopping. That doesn't automatically make it the right pick for you. A two truck operation and a 200 truck fleet get very different value out of it, and the contract is where a lot of people get surprised.
This review sticks to what Motive itself publishes: its ELD FAQ, its dash cam pages and its terms of service. We'll tell you where Motive is strong, where it's vague, and what questions to ask before you sign anything.
Motive at a Glance
| Item | What Motive says (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Published price | None. The pricing page is a quote request form. |
| Contract | Term set in your order form; renews for 12 months unless you give 30 days' notice |
| Early cancellation | You owe the remaining balance of the full term, plus fees for unreturned or damaged hardware |
| Card fee | Up to 2.99% if you pay by card |
| Hardware | Vehicle Gateway; 9 pin, 6 pin and OBD II cables; special harness for 2013 and newer Mack and Volvo |
| Driver app | Android 10 or later, iOS 12 or later; works offline |
| Registered ELD ID | MOTIVE on the FMCSA list |
| Canada | Certified for Canadian ELD rules |
Motive Pricing and Contracts
Here's the honest answer to "how much does Motive cost": Motive won't tell you until you talk to sales. There's no public price list. That's normal for the bigger platforms, but it means two fleets with the same trucks can end up paying different amounts depending on what they negotiate and which add ons they take.
What the Contract Says
We read Motive's terms of service so you don't have to. A few lines matter a lot:
- The term lives in your order form. Whatever length you sign is the length you're on the hook for. Read the order form, not just the sales email.
- It renews on its own. When the term ends, it rolls into another 12 months unless you give notice at least 30 days before. Put that date in your calendar the day you sign.
- Leaving early isn't cheap. If you cancel before the term ends, the terms say you pay the balance for the rest of the full term. Hardware you don't send back, or send back damaged, adds replacement and restoration fees.
- Card payments cost extra. Motive can add a processing fee of up to 2.99% if you pay by credit card. On a big fleet bill, that adds up. Ask about ACH.
How to Get a Fair Quote
Go in knowing your truck count, which features you'll actually use, and how long you're willing to commit. Ask for the total over the full term in writing, including hardware, cameras, installation and any card fees. Then get at least two competing quotes. If you're a small outfit, compare it against providers that publish their prices, like the ones in our cheapest ELD list, so you know what "no contract" money looks like.
Hardware and Installation
Motive's ELD runs through the Vehicle Gateway, which plugs into your truck's diagnostic port. Motive lists cables for 9 pin, 6 pin and OBD II ports, and a dedicated harness for 2013 and newer Mack and Volvo trucks. That covers most heavy and medium duty trucks on the road, but tell sales your exact year, make and model anyway. Getting the wrong cable shipped is the most common reason an install day goes sideways.
Install is a plug in job for most trucks. Mount the gateway where it won't get kicked, route the cable so it isn't pinched, and pair the driver's phone or tablet. If you're doing a whole fleet, do one truck first, run it for a week, and then roll out the rest.
Phones and Tablets
Drivers can use their own device. Motive's FAQ says the app needs Android 10 or newer, or iOS 12 or newer. If your drivers are running old phones, budget for tablets. Cheap, outdated phones are a frequent source of "the ELD isn't working" calls that have nothing to do with the ELD.
Driver App and HOS Features
The app is where your drivers live all day, so this is the part that'll make or break the rollout.
Automatic Driving Detection
Motive says the app switches to driving once the truck goes over 5 MPH (8 KPH in Canada). That's standard ELD behavior, but it's worth explaining to drivers so they're not surprised when the status changes on its own in a yard.
Rulesets and Special Cases
Motive lists support for the common US cycles, Canadian rules and the oilfield waiting time exception under 395.1(d). If you run oilfield work, that last one is a real time saver because waiting time can be logged properly instead of eating your clock.
Team Driving
Team drivers can share one gateway, and Motive says it supports up to 9 co drivers. Each driver still logs into their own account and certifies their own logs.
No Signal? Still Logging
The app keeps recording without cell coverage and syncs when it's back. If you run dead zones out West, that's not optional.
Roadside Inspections
Motive supports both FMCSA transfer methods: web services and email. Make sure every driver can actually do the transfer before they meet an officer. Five minutes of practice in the yard saves a lot of stress at a scale house. Our ELD mandate guide covers what has to be in the cab.
Dash Cams and Safety
A lot of fleets pick Motive for the cameras as much as the logs. Its dash cam page lists the AI Omnicam, two way calling, an AI voice assistant and dual SIM connectivity, and says stereo vision is coming late 2026. We'd treat any "coming soon" feature as a bonus, not a reason to buy.
Cameras are where your bill climbs fastest, so price them separately. If video is a must, compare Motive against Samsara, Lytx and Verizon Connect in our best ELDs with dash cams roundup.
Your First Week on Motive
Most ELD headaches show up in the first week, and most of them are avoidable. Here's how we'd roll it out.
Before the Hardware Shows Up
Build a simple sheet with every truck's year, make, model and VIN, plus the diagnostic port type. Send it to your rep and get written confirmation of which cable each truck gets. Set up driver accounts in the web dashboard ahead of time so nobody's creating passwords in a truck stop parking lot.
Day One
Install in one truck with your most patient driver. Have them drive a normal route, go on and off duty, do a pre trip DVIR, and run a practice roadside transfer. Write down every question they ask. That list becomes your training sheet for everyone else.
Days Two to Seven
Roll out the rest of the fleet in small groups. Each morning, check the dashboard for unidentified driving and get it assigned or annotated. Under 49 CFR 395.32 you've got to review those records and keep them for six months, so don't let them pile up. By the end of the week, every driver should have certified at least one day of logs on their own.
Keep the Paper Backup in the Cab
Every truck needs the ELD user manual, the data transfer instructions, the malfunction instructions and at least eight days of blank paper logs. That's 395.22(h), and inspectors do ask. Motive can supply the documents, but it's on you to make sure they're actually in each truck.
When the ELD Acts Up
Every ELD has bad days. Here's what to do when Motive (or any ELD) misbehaves:
- App says disconnected: check the gateway's cable at the port first. Loose connectors cause more trouble than bad hardware.
- Phone keeps dropping Bluetooth: turn off battery saver for the app, and make sure the phone meets the Android 10 or iOS 12 minimum.
- A real malfunction: the driver has to tell the carrier within 24 hours and go to paper, and the carrier has eight days to get it fixed. You'll also need to rebuild the current day and the prior seven days on paper if they can't be pulled from the ELD. That's all in 395.34.
- Edits: office staff can suggest edits, but the driver has to approve them. Don't let anyone pressure drivers into accepting edits they didn't agree with.
Questions to Ask Motive Sales
Take this list into your call and write down the answers:
- What's the total cost over the full term, including hardware, cameras, install and taxes?
- How long is the term, and when exactly is my 30 day notice deadline?
- What do I owe if I sell trucks or shrink my fleet mid term?
- Can I pay by ACH to skip the card fee?
- Which cables are you shipping for each of my trucks?
- What's the return process and cost for hardware when I leave?
- Can I get the final quote and the order form before I sign, not after?
If a rep can't answer those clearly, slow down. A good deal looks just as good tomorrow.
How Motive Compares on Cost
Because Motive is quote only, you can't line it up dollar for dollar. What you can do is compare against providers that do publish prices. As of October 2026, HOS247 lists plans from $19 to $25 per vehicle per month with no contracts, Matrack lists $19.95 and $24.95, and Blue Ink Tech lists $40 a month or $400 a year. If your Motive quote comes in well above those, ask yourself whether you'll actually use the cameras and fleet tools you're paying for. Our ELD cost guide walks through the math.
Pros and Cons
What We Like
- One platform for logs, GPS, cameras and more, so you're not juggling vendors
- Wide cable support, including the Mack and Volvo harness
- Offline logging, team driving and Canada certification
- Oilfield waiting time support
- Big install base, so most drivers have seen the app before
What to Watch
- No published pricing, so you've got to negotiate
- Automatic 12 month renewals with a 30 day notice window
- Full term balance due if you cancel early
- Card processing fee of up to 2.99%
- Probably more platform than a single owner operator needs
Who Motive Is Best For
Good fit: fleets of roughly 10 trucks and up that want logs, GPS, cameras and maintenance in one place, have someone in the office to manage it, and are comfortable with a term contract.
Think twice: owner operators and very small fleets who just need compliant logs. You'll likely pay more and commit longer than you need to. Look at our no contract ELD picks first.
Also compare: if you're down to Motive or Samsara, read our Motive vs Samsara breakdown. The contract terms are a bigger difference than the features.
Our Verdict
Motive is a solid, full featured ELD platform. The app does the HOS basics well, the hardware fits most trucks, and the camera lineup is a real draw for safety focused fleets. The catch is the business side: no public prices, auto renewals and a costly early exit. If you go in with eyes open, get the full term cost in writing and set a reminder for the notice date, it's a strong choice for growing fleets. If you just need logs for one or two trucks, there are simpler and cheaper options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Motive the same as KeepTruckin?
Yes. KeepTruckin rebranded as Motive. Motive's own ELD FAQ confirms it's the same product.
How much does Motive ELD cost?
Motive doesn't publish prices. You have to request a quote, and the cost depends on your truck count, term and add ons like cameras.
Can I cancel Motive anytime?
Not without cost. Its terms say early termination means paying the balance of the full term, plus fees for hardware that isn't returned in good shape.
Does Motive work without cell service?
Yes. Motive says the app keeps logging offline and syncs when you're back in coverage.
Is Motive on the FMCSA registered list?
Yes, under the ELD identifier MOTIVE. Always check the current list yourself before you buy.
Does Motive work in Canada?
Motive says its ELD is certified for Canadian rules and switches to driving at 8 KPH there.
Sources
All prices, terms and registration details were checked October 2026 on the pages below. Providers change pricing often, so confirm before you buy.