Is this really a problem? I'm considering building a solution but...

I'm reading that drivers are paying $150+/year for filings that can be done for free online.Would you use a free service that texts/emails you reminders BEFORE deadlines (MCS-150, UCR, drug testing, etc.) so you can file yourself for free?

It appears these companies prey on the following problems that exist when it comes to compliance:

• Overwhelming confusion about what's required
• Fear of financial ruin from violations
• Predatory companies exploiting this confusion
• Paperwork avalanche with no guidance
• Deadlines folks don't know about
• Anxiety, stress, and mental health toll
• Feeling stupid and alone because no one tells them what needs to be done or when

Would anyone use a servic that addresses these issues?

(Full transparency: I am not a driver. I am a developer who sees a problem and then builds tools to solve it. It seems these issues could be solved and the solution could be given to drivers for free.)

 

I can see that happening with no system in place. They're just burning SMS credits. Basically spamming people.

I'm attempting to validate an idea by asking asking drivers what they need and if it's a big enough problem for them.

Here's how it would work...100% free:

1. Get Reminders
We calculate all your deadlines and send email/SMS reminders 90, 30, and 7 days before they're due.

2. File for FREE
Click our links to file directly with FMCSA for $0. No need to pay $150-199+.

3. Follow Guides
Step-by-step instructions in plain English/Spanish. Takes 5 minutes, saves you hundreds of dollars.

4. Save $400-500/Year
Use our partner referrals for drug testing ($49 vs $199). Never miss a deadline. Stay compliant.

It would have a simple dashboard:



Would a service like this be valuable to drivers or perhaps their wives who may help run the business?

 

Fair point.

Since I would be the guy building it, I can give you the exact costs involved. No BS. Also, we'd never sell data. The idea is to build a honorable platform that handles business cleanly and transparently.

This is what it costs to provide the service, these are MY COSTS.

1. Email reminders - First 3,000/mo are free. Then $20/mo to send 10,000 reminders/mo.
2. SMS - (Using Twilio) $0.0083. So it costs $1 to send 120 text messages - this can be reduced by buying in bulk.
3. Website/App hosting - $20/mo
4. Database costs - $20/mo
5. FMCSA data API for pulling driver DOT number and related filings - free

So yeah, from my side it costs about the price of a carton of cigarettes each month (for starters), which I spend anyway.

The pricing would look like this:

FREE FOREVER

• Unlimited deadline reminders (email/SMS)
• Direct links to file for FREE with FMCSA
• Step-by-step guides for every filing
• Compliance status dashboard
• Partner referrals (cheapest drug testing)

TIME-SAVER - $99/year

Everything in Free, plus:

• We fill out forms for you (save time)
• Unlimited document storage
• Priority email support
• Audit-ready file organization

Fleet - $499/year
For small fleets (2-10 trucks)

Everything in Time-Saver, plus:

• Multi-truck management dashboard
• Multi-driver file tracking
• Custom compliance reports
• Team collaboration features
• Priority phone support

 

Another fair point...I have liability insurance.

Security on the platform is handled: HTTPS, firewalls (edge protection), Web Application Firewall (WAF), etc. etc.

And yes, storage costs go up with more users but they are negligible. Storage is cheap on the website side. Cost increase a bit on the DB provider side but not much.

The question is - Do drivers NEED or WANT something like this?