Driver Management

1. Adding Drivers

To add a driver, go to the Drivers page and click "Add Driver." You'll need to provide the driver's name, home address (or facility they start from), default zone, and truck number. The home address is used as the starting point for route optimization — BinRouter plans routes from the driver's home to their first stop, then back to the facility at the end of the day.

BinRouter will geocode the home address automatically. If geocoding fails (invalid address), you'll be prompted to correct it. Once the address is validated, the driver is added to your fleet and available for route assignments.

Optional fields include: email address (for sending route links), phone number (for SMS notifications), truck capacity (max stops per day), and certifications (e.g., hazmat certified, CDL class). These fields help the route optimizer assign jobs appropriately and ensure compliance with regulations.

You can also import multiple drivers at once from a spreadsheet. See the Import Data section for details.

2. Zone Assignment

Zones are geographic areas where drivers operate. A zone is typically defined by a set of zip codes, but you can also define zones by city or neighborhood. For example, you might have a "North County" zone covering zip codes 63033, 63044, and 63074, and a "South City" zone covering 63116, 63118, and 63139.

When you add a driver, assign them to a default zone. This is the zone where they'll receive most of their jobs. During route optimization, BinRouter assigns jobs to drivers based on zone matching — jobs in the North County zone go to drivers assigned to North County.

If a job's zone doesn't match any driver, BinRouter assigns it to the closest available driver. You can also manually reassign jobs between drivers if needed (e.g., to balance workload or cover for a sick driver).

To create or edit zones, go to the Zones page. You can add zip codes to a zone, rename zones, or delete zones. Zone changes take effect immediately and apply to future route optimizations.

3. Mobile Route Links

Once routes are optimized, you can send them to drivers via SMS or email. Each driver receives a unique link to a mobile-friendly route page showing their stops in order, with customer addresses, job types, and turn-by-turn navigation links.

The mobile route page is optimized for smartphones and works in any browser (no app required). Drivers can see their full route at a glance, tap an address to open Google Maps or Waze for navigation, and mark stops complete as they go. Completed stops are synced to the dashboard in real-time, so dispatchers can track progress throughout the day.

To send routes, go to the Routes page, select a date, and click "Send to Drivers." BinRouter will send an SMS or email to each driver with their route link. You can choose to send via SMS (instant delivery, recommended), email (good for drivers who prefer email), or both.

Route links are unique per driver and expire after 24 hours (for security). If a driver loses their link, you can resend it from the Routes page.

4. QR Code Access

For drivers who don't have SMS or prefer not to use text messages, BinRouter supports QR code access. You can print a QR code for each driver and post it in the break room or on the truck. Drivers scan the QR code with their phone camera to open their route for the day.

To generate a QR code, go to the Drivers page, select a driver, and click "Generate QR Code." The QR code is linked to the driver's account and will always show their current route. You can print the QR code or save it as a PDF.

QR codes are useful for drivers who don't have a smartphone, share a phone with other drivers, or prefer to access routes without entering a URL manually.

5. Driver Status

Each driver has a status that controls whether they're available for route assignments:

• Active: Driver is working and available for route assignments. This is the default status.
• On Break: Driver is temporarily unavailable (lunch break, mid-day rest, etc.). Jobs are not assigned to drivers on break, but their existing route is preserved.
• Unavailable: Driver is not working today (called in sick, personal day, etc.). Jobs are not assigned to unavailable drivers, and their existing route is cleared (so you can reassign it).
• Breakdown: Driver's truck broke down or has a mechanical issue. Same as Unavailable, but tracked separately for maintenance reporting.

To change a driver's status, go to the Drivers page, select the driver, and choose a new status from the dropdown. Status changes take effect immediately and update route assignments in real-time.

If you need to redistribute a driver's route due to unavailability, use the Emergency Re-Routing feature. See the Route Optimization section for details.