FleetCollect, a compliance platform for trucking fleets, has announced a new feature: automatic SMS reminders that notify drivers when their documents are approaching expiration. The feature addresses a common pain point for motor carriers, who must maintain Driver Qualification Files (DQF) containing 18 documents per FMCSA regulation 49 CFR §391.51. These files are the first items DOT auditors check and are frequently found deficient due to expired medical cards, lapsed MVR reviews, or outdated CDL copies.
FleetCollect already tracks all 18 §391.51 items on a single dashboard, integrates with Checkr for background checks and drug tests, uses OCR to read uploaded documents, allows driver self-upload through a secure portal, and exports audit-ready PDFs. The new automatic SMS reminders target the renewal process that often trips carriers up. As each document nears its expiration, FleetCollect texts the driver directly at 30, 14, 7, and 1 day out, and again if it lapses, with a secure link to upload the renewal from their phone. The office no longer needs to chase paperwork, and files stay compliant. Every message includes a “Reply STOP to opt out,” and texting is based on carrier-attested driver consent.
“The medical card nobody remembered is the thing that fails your audit,” said Herman, Founder of FleetCollect, who held a CDL for over a decade and ran his own authority before building the platform. “The driver has the document and a phone. The software should just ask them for it at the right moment — and read the date so nobody has to. That shouldn't be a premium feature; it should just happen.”
The reminders run automatically on every plan and are included at no extra cost. FleetCollect is designed for carriers overlooked by enterprise platforms, from single-truck owner-operators to mid-size fleets, and works alongside ELD systems like Samsara and Motive. It handles the compliance paperwork those systems don't. Carriers report that the platform is easy to use, with even non-tech-savvy drivers and staff getting started without training.
“We passed our FMCSA audit with zero deficiencies thanks to FleetCollect,” said Sarah Chen, Fleet Manager at Mountain Transport. “The auditor was impressed with how organized our DQFs were.”
Every plan includes a 7-day free trial, and automatic SMS reminders come standard. Learn more at https://fleetcollect.net.
FleetCollect is an all-in-one compliance and fuel-tax platform built for owner-operators and small-to-mid-size trucking fleets. Founded by a driver and carrier, it brings DOT driver-qualification-file management and automatic GPS-based IFTA mileage tracking into one app. Learn more at https://fleetcollect.net.
