If you’re tired of keeping paper logbooks or manually entering your trips for tax purposes, you may start looking for a better mileage tracking solution.
Many businesses turn to Driversnote - a mileage tracking app designed to record trips and create tax-compliant reports.
In this Driversnote review, we’ll take a closer look at how the app works by giving you a rundown of what we liked and disliked about the app when we used it on multiple test drives. We’ll also give you our opinion on whether it’s worth your money.
Timeero Makes Mileage Tracking a Breeze
With Timeero, you can track your mileage accurately and effortlessly, and enjoy faster reimbursement and bigger tax deductions.
Driversnote’s Android and iPhone apps are available on Google Play and Apple’s App Store in many countries.
Driversnote is an easy-to-use mileage tracking solution for self-employed drivers and teams. The app provides users with multiple ways to track mileage. You can auto-track mileage through motion detection technology, use iBeacon equipment or manually add trips and mileage logs.
One downside we noticed from the beginning was that Driversnote doesn’t have a start or stop button to begin tracking mileage. Instead, the app automatically tracks mileage when movement is detected. As a result, all trips made are recorded, but it is easy to classify trips as business or personal for proper remuneration and tax deductions.
Creating teams with Driversnote
If you have a team that drives for work and need to issue mileage reimbursements, Driversnote is a safe bet. You can create teams and set mileage rates (either IRS rates or custom rates) to automate mileage reimbursement.
If you’re a startup, you’ll need a paid plan to create teams with Driversnote.
Adding places with Driversnote
If you have teams that need to log places or customers they visited, Driversnote makes it easy to add customer locations.
When a driver parks within 500 meters of a location, Driversnote automatically selects it as the end destination. This allows you to quickly see which customers each employee visited.
Driversnote allows adding vehicles and maintaining separate logs for each.
Driversnote review: Key features walkthrough
When we test mileage-tracking apps, we leave no stone unturned. We push the app to its limits to reveal its strengths and weaknesses.
During our testing round, we were interested in answering these two questions:
How does Driverstone work?
Is Driversnote’s mileage tracker reliable?
Let’s find out.
Mileage tracking
When we previously tested Driversnote, we found that the app fails to record parts of the first trip, but recording becomes more accurate once the app is fully up and running. I recently decided to give Driversnote a few more tries, only to come to the same conclusion.
One of the tests revealed a major discrepancy.
The first 58.9 miles of a 208.3-mile trip were completely disregarded, leaving just 149.3 miles recorded. However, on the same testing occasion, the Timeero mobile app logged 207.6 miles, capturing the entire trip with near-perfect accuracy.
Comparison of mileage logs: Driversnote vs. Timeero during a test run.
Driversnote’s test results show a very significant gap in tracking– roughly 72% accuracy for that journey.
Driversnote’s biggest shortcoming seems to be how it triggers tracking at the start of a trip—or fails to do so if conditions aren’t met quickly.
If you begin driving in a low-network zone or your smartphone’s GPS/accelerometer data takes too long to “wake,” the app can miss tracking a notable chunk of mileage.
Phantom ride glitch
Driversnote “Phantom Ride” Glitch
Interestingly, I also discovered that Driversnote can sometimes be a bit too eager to capture miles. One evening, while I was lying in bed with a fever, it recorded a “phantom drive,” seemingly triggered by motion or acceleration data on my phone, even though I obviously hadn’t gone anywhere. I noticed this glitch three times during my testing, suggesting that the app can be overly sensitive.
Overall, these missed segments and phantom rides underscore Driversnote’s lack of a minimum speed threshold. Because the app relies on a mix of GPS and accelerometer input to begin tracking mileage, rather than a speed threshold, it sometimes misfires. That said, once Driversnote does detect an actual drive, mileage tracking tends to be pretty accurate.
Driversnote breaks down your journey into multiple trips depending on the stops you make.
Auto-tracking with motion detection
Motion detection is not a new technology. Many (if not all) of the best mileage-tracking apps use this technology to track trips and record mileage. However, each app uses motion detection technology differently, so accuracy rates vary.
Driversnote provides a map with your trip’s route, and start and end points.
The best mileage tracking apps begin to track mileage when you exceed a predetermined speed. Driversnote works differently. The app uses a combination of the phone’s GPS and accelerometer to trigger mileage tracking.
During the initial testing, we contacted the customer support team to find out how Driversnote’s motion tracking works.
The agent told us that there’s no minimum speed required for the app to track mileage. To quote the agent:
“The system is configured so that there are a few conditions (other than speed) that will recognize if and when you are driving. One of these conditions is that the app and phone are frequently requesting and supplying information about a location.”
Driversnote doesn’t have a minimum speed the vehicle must hit for the app to track mileage.
This certainly explains why the app continues to keep missing parts of the initial trip. We might have hit the minimum speed threshold, but failed to meet the other conditions.
Automatic tracking with Driversnote iBeacon
Besides using motion detection technology, you can use iBeacon to streamline mileage tracking.
What is iBeacon?
iBeacon is a Bluetooth device that you can place anywhere in your car. It transmits a signal and is synced with the driver’s smartphone to efficiently track mileage.
When the driver enters the car, the phone picks up the signal, prompting Driversnote to track your trips. When the driver exits the vehicle, iBeacon signals the app to stop tracking mileage.
iBeacon is handy for enhancing the accuracy of business mileage. It ensures that Driversnote tracks mileage when the driver uses a company vehicle. If an employee is a passenger in a non-company vehicle, bicycle, or using public transportation, Driversnote will not track their mileage.
That said, iBeacon isn’t available with Driversnote’s free version. You will need to be on the paid plan to make the most of the tool. Additionally, you’ll need an extra $40 (one-time fee) to purchase the iBeacon device. If you enroll in the annual subscription plan, you can get the iBeacon device for free.
Lastly, Driversnote allows you to add a manual trip. This is a helpful feature in case you forget to track mileage. However, rogue employees can exploit this tracking option if there are no proper tracking policies in place.
Driversnote offline mode
To determine if Driversnote’s offline mode works, we switched off the internet connection for 15 minutes during our return trip. Surprisingly, the app continued to track mileage with 97.5% accuracy, as if nothing happened.
This makes Driversnote an ideal app for drivers traveling in areas with limited or no internet connection.
Drive classification
Whether you’re tracking mileage through motion detection or Driversnote iBeacon, you still need to categorize your trips. Driversnote’s mobile app and web interface makes this easy. Although the app doesn’t support one-swipe classification like MileIQ (read our MileIQ app review), it’s still quite reliable.
Classifying a trip on the web dashboard is easy. First, click the trip to open it, then hit “personal” or “business” to classify it. When you classify the trip, Driversnote applies the corresponding mileage rates and automatically calculates reimbursement amounts.
Auto-classification
Manually classifying each trip can be tedious and time-consuming.
Classification errors tend to arise if drivers fail to categorize a trip and have to do it at the end of the month. Additionally, some rogue drivers might record a few personal trips on their business mileage logbook to claim a higher reimbursement.
Rather than deal with classification errors, use Driversnote’s auto-classification options.
There are four options:
Based on the previous trip. Let’s say you visit location A and classify it as “business.” The app will automatically classify all future trips to location A as “business.”
Always as a business. Driversnote will classify all trips as business when this option is selected.
Always as personal. Driversnote will classify all trips as personal.
Based on work hours. This is more accurate than other classification options. When you choose this option, Driversnote will classify your trips as “business” if they occur during the stipulated work hours. The app will classify trips outside work hours as “personal.”
Auto-classify trips based on work hours
When you choose to auto-classify trips “based on work hours”, you must set work hours within the mobile app.To auto-classify trips, follow these steps:
Go to settings → auto-tracking → select “based on work hours” → and click “edit work hours.” Once you’re in the work hour settings, adjust the work days and hours that best meet your company schedule.
Driversnote lets you set your work hours to simplify drive classification.
Automatic mileage tracking can be turned off to prevent tracking outside work hours. This is a nice feature for privacy-conscious employees. When turned off, Driversnote will only track trips during work hours.
Reporting with Driversnote
Driversnote allows you to create customizable reports that include the details that matter to your business, such as reimbursement details and mileage records.
Driversnote lets you generate IRS-compliant reports to simplify your tasks during tax time.
Reports can be sent directly to departments or you can download the reports and mileage documentation in PDF or Excel format.
Some of the reports you can generate within Driversnote include:
Reimbursement reports: Computed mileage reimbursement is gathered and compiled into a reimbursement report that displays accurate employee reimbursements regardless of your company’s chosen mileage rate.
Vehicle mileage reports: Generate mileage reports for individual vehicles, which is handy if you have different cars and want to keep separate mileage logs for each.
Odometer log reports: Log the car’s odometer readings and send reminders when an employee forgets to log mileage.
When the reporting period ends, each employee must turn in their reports to their manager for review and approval. You can set the reporting period to daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
If an employee forgets to send a report during the reporting period, Driversnote sends them a reminder with a preview of the report. This prompts employees to review their reports before forwarding them to the manager for approval.
Reviewing reports is an essential part of complying with federal and state reimbursement laws, especially in the case of the California mileage reimbursement law.
What is the price of Driversnote?
Driversnote’s pricing model includes free and paid plans.
Free plan
Log 15 trips per month. If you log additional trips, Driversnote will still record the data but you will need to upgrade to a paid plan to view the report.
iBeacon is not available with the free version.
Basic Plan
$11 per month
Log unlimited trips
iBeacon technology (+$40 monthly or free with an annual subscription)
Quote-based
Custom plans available for teams and companies
Same features as the Basic plan, plus admin functionality to manage user access and share reports.
Timeero: The best Driversnote alternative
If Driversnote’s tendency to miss tracking mileage or lack of real-time insights has you worried, Timeero may be a perfect fit. The app automatically records drives using a minimum speed threshold so you capture only relevant movement, and its Segmented Tracking technology is perfect for sales and delivery teams making multi-stop routes.
For a quick overview, here are the key benefits Timeero offers:
Effortless & accurate mileage tracking
The Timeero mobile app: a tool for efficient mileage tracking and trip management.
Timeero’s Android and iOS apps automatically start tracking mileage when your vehicle exceeds a predefined speed (4.47 mph by default), ensuring every qualifying mile is logged—whether it’s your first or last trip of the day.
Timeero continues tracking mileage in areas with weak or nonexistent internet connection, so you never miss a mile.
Enhanced accountability with detailed route replay
Timeero provides detailed timestamps and speed data via clickable breadcrumbs on its route maps. This feature helps verify driving routes, resolve discrepancies, and ensure adherence to your company’s driving policies.
Streamlined multi-stop management
Timeero’s Segmented Tracking technology automatically breaks your day into segments based on stops made, capturing the miles driven and time traveled between each location.
Commuter Mileage
Define commute mileage for individual employees and exclude non-deductible commutes from employees’ mileage logs for IRS-compliant mileage logs.
Seamless integrations with popular payroll and accounting software
To learn more about the app, read our detailed Timeero review.
Final thought: Is Driversnote worth it?
Driversnote is a flexible mileage tracking solution with a range of features that can simplify trip logging and reporting.
However, our testing reveals some notable shortcomings, including missed mileage segments and phantom rides, which may impact accuracy—especially for users who depend on precise logs for tax compliance and mileage reimbursements.
If you’re a solo driver or small business that can tolerate occasional discrepancies, Driversnote might be a good fit. But if reliable, consistent mileage tracking is nonnegotiable, you may want to explore alternatives like Timeero, which tracks mileage with enhanced accuracy through Segmented Tracking and detailed route replay.
FAQs: Driversnote Review
How does Driversnote work?
Driversnote uses motion tracking and iBeacon technology to track mileage.
Is Driversnote free?
Yes, Driversnote has a free plan with limited features.
Take Timeero mileage tracking features for a spin risk-free.
Andjelka is a researcher and writer with 6+ years in digital marketing. Her background in social work and journalism has sharpened her skill in connecting with people from all walks of life. For the past 3 years, she’s specialized in time, location, and mileage tracking. Outside work, she enjoys yoga, swimming, and unwinding with her cats while listening to Leonard Cohen’s music.
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