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Founder Story8 min read

I've Had My CDL for 10 Years. So I Built the Compliance Software I Actually Needed.

After a decade behind the wheel, I was tired of fleet software that solved the wrong problems. Here's why I built FleetCollect.

Herman Armstrong

Founder & CEO, FleetCollect

Truck driver perspective - CDL driver story

I've been driving trucks for a decade. I've worked for megas, run my own authority, and dealt with every compliance headache this industry throws at you. I've also watched fleet software companies get rich selling solutions that don't actually solve the problems drivers face.

That's why I built FleetCollect.

The Problem Nobody Was Fixing

Every fleet management company wants to sell you ELDs and dashcams. Samsara, Motive, KeepTruckin - they're all fighting over the same hardware market. And sure, ELDs work. The cameras record.

But when DOT auditors show up, they're not asking about your ELD logs. They're asking:

That's when the scrambling starts. Because none of those platforms actually track this stuff. You're still using spreadsheets, filing cabinets, or sticky notes.

The Real Cost of Compliance Failures

FMCSA violations for incomplete driver qualification files can reach $16,000+ per violation. I've seen fleets get hit with $50,000+ in fines from a single audit - all because they couldn't produce the right paperwork.

And IFTA? Those companies charge you extra for mileage tracking that's half-broken and still requires hours of manual cleanup every quarter.

What I Built Instead

Driver Qualification Files That Actually Work

FleetCollect tracks every document FMCSA requires - medical certificates, CDL copies, MVRs, road test forms, drug testing records. The system alerts you 30, 14, and 7 days before anything expires. Drivers upload their own documents through a simple portal.

When DOT shows up, you pull up the dashboard and you're done. I've been through it. 10 minutes, no stress.

What FleetCollect Tracks

  • Medical certificates & physicals
  • CDL license & endorsements
  • Annual MVR records
  • Road test certifications
  • Drug & alcohol testing
  • Driver applications & history

Automatic Alerts

  • 30-day expiration warning
  • 14-day reminder
  • 7-day urgent alert
  • Email + SMS notifications
  • Dashboard status overview
  • Audit-ready reports

IFTA on Autopilot

This was personal for me. I hated quarterly IFTA reporting. Digging through fuel receipts, trying to remember which states I ran through, doing the math by hand.

Now drivers text "START" to begin a trip and "STOP" to end it. The app tracks GPS in the background - even when they close it. Fuel stops get logged with state and gallons. When the quarter ends, reports generate in seconds.

No spreadsheets. No guessing. No late fees.

Related: Learn more about IFTA in our guides: How to File IFTA Step-by-Step | IFTA Fuel Tax Credits | Free IFTA Calculator

Why I Didn't Build Another ELD Company

Because you don't need another ELD. The mandate happened in 2017. Every truck has one. That battle is over.

You need the compliance tools that actually keep you legal and audit-ready. The stuff that falls through the cracks with the big platforms.

FleetCollect does DQF and IFTA better than anyone. And we do it at a price small fleets can actually afford.

The Difference: Built by a Driver

I'm not a Silicon Valley tech bro who read a whitepaper about trucking. I've got 10 years behind the wheel. I know what it's like to get pulled into a scale and realize your medical card expired last week. I know the panic of a surprise DOT audit.

FleetCollect exists because I needed it. And if you're running a small fleet, you probably need it too.

What Makes FleetCollect Different

The Big Guys (Samsara, Motive)

  • $35-50/month per vehicle
  • Requires hardware purchase
  • Focus on ELD & cameras
  • DQF often an afterthought
  • IFTA is an add-on

FleetCollect

  • Starts free, scales affordably
  • No hardware required
  • Focus on DQF & IFTA
  • Complete compliance tracking
  • Built for small fleets

Start Free Today

FleetCollect is free for single-truck operators. If you're running a small fleet, plans start at $19/month.

If you're still tracking compliance in spreadsheets or paying too much for software that doesn't actually help - give it a look.

Ready to Simplify Your Compliance?

Join the fleet owners who've switched to FleetCollect. No credit card required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why not just use Samsara or Motive?

Samsara and Motive are great at what they do - ELDs and dashcams. But they're built for enterprise fleets with enterprise budgets. Their DQF tracking is an afterthought, and IFTA is either missing or costs extra. If you're a small fleet that already has an ELD, you don't need to pay $35-50/vehicle/month for features you won't use. FleetCollect focuses on the compliance gaps they leave behind.

Is FleetCollect only for owner-operators?

No. FleetCollect works for any fleet size - from single-truck owner-operators to fleets with 100+ vehicles. We're free for owner-operators, and our paid plans scale based on fleet size. The software is the same whether you have 1 truck or 50.

How is FleetCollect different from other fleet software?

Most fleet software tries to do everything - ELDs, GPS, cameras, dispatch, fuel cards. They become bloated and expensive. FleetCollect does two things exceptionally well: Driver Qualification Files and IFTA reporting. We're not trying to replace your ELD or dispatch software. We fill the compliance gaps those platforms ignore.

Does FleetCollect replace my ELD?

No, and we don't want to. Keep your existing ELD - it's already working. FleetCollect handles the compliance paperwork that your ELD doesn't track: medical certificates, MVRs, drug testing records, and quarterly IFTA reports. We work alongside whatever ELD you're already using.

— Herman Armstrong, Founder & CEO

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal experience and opinions of the author. FleetCollect is designed to help with DOT compliance, but requirements may vary based on your specific operation type and state regulations. Always consult current FMCSA regulations and seek professional advice for your specific situation.