Note
You should always follow posted speed limits if they ever happen to differ from those indicated in the Samsara Driver App.
Commercial Navigation is a mobile navigation feature within the Samsara Driver App that enables you to receive real-time directions and lane guidance towards your destination, while keeping in compliance with light and heavy commercial vehicles regulations. Commercial Navigation uses the physical dimensions, weight, and payload data of your current vehicle to guide you around roads that legally forbid trucks, heavy vehicles, or hazardous material payloads. It navigates you safely around low bridges and overpasses, and warns of approaching railroad crossings, where buses and trucks hauling hazardous materials are required to stop. Furthermore, because Hours of Service (HOS) dials are overlaid on the map, the feature eliminates the need for you to change screens while the vehicle is in motion. Commercial Navigation ensures you are guided along the safest and shortest legal route, without the use of a third-party navigation app.
To learn more about the capabilities of Commercial Navigation in the Samsara Driver App, view the following topics:
Commercial Navigation is compatible with iOS devices version 13.0 or above, or Android devices version 12 or above, and can be used in portrait or landscape modes. You can use it to guide you to your route through Map in the bottom navigation of the Samsara Driver App.
You can navigate to your destination by the following ways:
-
Route stop: If you were dispatched on a route by your admin, you can select any stop along your route to navigate to it.
-
Samsara address book: You can type the name of any location that is in your organization's Samsara address book (such as Mattress Factory, or Yard 41).
-
Street address: You can type in a street address, such as 123 Main St., and the search will auto-complete to any recognized destination.
-
Named public location: You can type in a named public location, such as Starbucks or Golden Gate Park.
-
Category: You can type and choose common categories such as: restroom, restaurant, fuel stop, rest stop, etc. to see a list of nearby destinations.
Commercial vehicles are subject to federal, state, and local regulations that govern which roads you can legally use. Commercial Navigation indicates where these restrictions are enforced.
These regulations can be grouped into five types, which are commonly constructed as blanket restrictions (in effect 24 hours a day, 365 days a year), but some instances are conditional, varying by time of day (such as during rush hour), end destination (for example, forbidden for through traffic, but allowed for delivery into a truck restriction zone), or road condition (such as a frost warning in effect):
-
Truck restrictions: Commercial vehicles built primarily for carrying cargo. This includes large trucks (e.g., semi-trucks, box trucks, dump trucks), heavy vehicles over 10,000 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and vehicles with more than two axles. However, passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks such as pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs used for field service or parcel delivery are permitted.
-
Weight restrictions: Vehicles with a high GVWR. For example a vehicle over approximately 3 tons. GVWR refers to the maximum weight the vehicle can safely carry—including its structure, fluids, passengers, cargo, equipment, and accessories—as defined by the manufacturer, based on the vehicle design.
-
Height restrictions: Vehicles, trailers, or cargo that exceed posted bridge or overpass height limits. For example, a flatbed hauling a tall excavator must meet clearance limits.
-
Length restrictions: Vehicles that exceed a specific total length are often excluded from roads with sharp curves or sudden lane merges. This includes the full length of the vehicle, trailer, and any front or rear overhangs like ladders or ramps.
-
Hazmat restrictions: Vehicles transporting hazardous materials—flammable, explosive, or toxic—must follow stricter route restrictions. These rules often apply to tunnels, bridges, high-security zones, and densely populated or vulnerable areas such as schools and hospitals.
Commercial Navigation comes with several preset vehicle profiles representing the most common types of vehicle and trailer (e.g., box truck, 54' tractor + trailer, etc.). Depending on the access your organization gave you, you can edit vehicle dimensions and weight information within the Samsara Driver App, as needed.
Samsara makes no guarantees, representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to, usefulness, use or results to be obtained from the Commercial Navigation feature, or that the Commercial Navigation feature will be uninterrupted or error-free.
Comments
0 comments
Article is closed for comments.