Smart eDriver EWD FAQs

Download our driver daily use guide guide: Driver instruction sheet

Below you will find some frequently asked questions about electronic work diaries and the Smart eDriver app. 

General FAQs

The National Driver Work Diary (also known as a logbook) is evidence that a driver’s work and rest hours are compliant with the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) and that their fatigue is being adequately managed. Please visit nhvr.gov.au for more info.

An EWD (Electronic Work Diary) is an electronic device or system approved by the NHVR (National Heavy Vehicle Regulator) to monitor and record the work and rest times of a driver. The Smart eDriver EWD is available for download from the Google Play store. Download it on your mobile phone or tablet and contact us to get started. The Smart eDriver EWD can now replace your written work diary or logbook as an alternative.

The main difference is that a written work diary requires manual entry of all data, which is prone to error, and multiple worksheets that then must be distributed. The fleet business must then translate the written forms into a digital form which is also prone to error and consumes valuable resources.

The EWD captures the relevant information and only requires the driver to tap on the touchscreen to input events. An EWD will require less time and provide alerts when a driver is approaching a work time limit. An EWD can record time more accurately – to the nearest minute – and policies are in place to ensure a consistent approach to compliance. Drivers, transport operators, record keepers and authorised officers will have the same functions and obligations using EWDs as they do for the written work diary. However, EWDs will automate many of these functions, making day-to-day operations faster and easier.

Yes, the Smart eDriver EWD has received 100% compliance certification from the NHVR and can now be used as a replacement for your written work diary or logbook.

Yes, the BFM (basic fatigue management) rulesets are based on NHVR requirements and therefore the app can only be used in Australia.

FAQs for Drivers

No. The Smart eDriver app will automatically send you notifications for rest breaks and potential non-compliance events. You don’t have to remember all of the guidelines.

No, only a driver and record keeper can edit their records.

Enter the compliance screen and hand the device to the officer in compliance mode. Do not enter the password to exit compliance mode if an officer requests to do so.

If the driver didn’t hit End of Day, then the events can still be edited. Edited events need comments to save. The original event will still be on record which can be viewed by the supervisor.

The End of Day step is required to submit the entire day’s event to the server, and it indicates the end of shift. Failing to do so may result in breach or the driver not being able to work the next day.

Yes. Smart eDriver can accommodate multiple business profiles.

Yes, you need to select a business, as the business holds the profile for base location, base time zone and record keeper location. If you only work for one business, only this business will show.

No. Under the NHVR EWD Standards, EWDs will record time in minutes for more accurate records. Minimum rest period will still be 15 minutes, you are not restricted to starting your rest at  X:00, X:15, X:30 or X:45 

Yes, periods of 15 minutes or greater count as rest.

The Investigation Aid tab displays a list of all the breaches that the driver has incurred. The breach time will be displayed as a green line on the graph and the level of breach will be displayed under the Potential Non-Compliance Level section.

Click on the Raise Support Ticket option in the app and submit a request for email address change, providing the business name, driver name, old email address and new email address, along with the reason for change. The request will be processed in 1-3 business days.

If you forget your login credentials, click on Forgot Password and enter your email address. You will receive an email with a link to reset your password, provided an account exists for that email address.

Click on the Raise Support Ticket option in the app and submit a request for license number change, providing the business name, driver name, old license number and the new license number, along with the reason for change. The request will be processed in 1-3 business days.

Yes, by using the Report Transfer function under the Compliance tab, the report can be mailed to the required person.

The app automatically switches between day and night mode provided the light sensor is enabled in the app.

Yes. The app will still work while offline, and will automatically upload records once online again.

Yes, the event calculations take the current daylight saving setting into consideration.

FAQs for Fleet Managers

No. Smart eDriver is a cloud-based standalone app that does not require connection to the vehicle, unlike other EWDs on the market.

No. We don’t require your fleet to use any specific brand or model of device. We have the largest list of NHVR approved devices, and can undertake testing to qualify any device not already listed. Smart eDriver is currently compatible Android devices, with an iOS version to be launched soon.

The standard licensing model is per driver. However, if the company has a large fleet, a license per vehicle can be considered.

We won’t lock you into any ongoing contracts or hidden fees. We will bill you monthly.

The number of users for a business is not restricted.

As standard, Smart eDriver adheres to a standard and BFM (basic fatigue management) ruleset. If a business requires a custom AFM ruleset, we can implement this at an extra cost.

Based on user requirements custom APIs can be developed. Depending on the amount of customisation there will be a non-recurring expense.

Yes, click on Add Driver and enter the driver’s license number and state of license issued. The result will show the driver’s name with an option to link. Click on Link. Ask the driver to login to the app and accept the request and the driver will be re-linked to the business.

Smart eDriver and Step Global can provide basic app and device support. We can also provide a dedicated support agreement customised to your requirements.