Telematics solutions are renowned for optimising fleet operations– they help track assets, monitor fuel usage, and enhance efficiency. But beyond these widely known benefits, telematics can significantly simplify wage calculations.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to use data collected via telematics to calculate driver payroll in minutes, make wage calculations more precise, and comply with regulations.

Most transport and logistics companies in Europe use digital tachographs daily. This is mainly because of EU laws on drive and rest times and a very strict fine policy for those failing to comply with these rules. Digital tachographs accurately record driving hours, rest periods, and travel times, and these devices are indispensable for wage calculations.

Digital tachograph analysis tools such as Tachogram help sort out and understand all of the collected data. Tachogram is our in-house developed solution, seamlessly integrated with Mapon features like remote tachograph download for a smoother workflow. Tachogram generates detailed reports summarising each driver’s working hours, including:

• Start times and daily schedules
• Time spent driving and taking breaks
• Driving periods by specific time of day

This data can be seamlessly aligned with your company’s wage calculations. Simply choose the desired time frame, and you’ll instantly have accurate work hour data at your fingertips.

To further automate the driver payroll process, you can set up automatic emails for your bookkeepers or integrate Tachogram with your internal payroll systems via API. This means faster, error-free calculations for your team.

Key Takeaway: A robust tacho hours calculator available at Tachogram saves time, reduces administrative overhead, and ensures driver payroll accuracy.

A recent European Commission report shows a 179% pay gap between Western and Eastern European truckers. This explains why certain Western countries, such as Norway and Denmark, have set minimum wage limits for foreign truck drivers who work within their countries

European authorities rely on digital tachograph data and travel data registered by telematics devices to determine whether companies meet compliance requirements. This credibility extends from routine road checks by national police to inspections by local tax authorities.

Given the strict enforcement of minimum wage regulations in various countries, having precise data on your drivers’ time spent in a specific country, the applicable wage rates, and the corresponding payouts can be invaluable, especially for businesses operating internationally.

This level of accuracy not only ensures compliance but also simplifies the auditing process, safeguarding your company from potential penalties.

Our client VILKS has experienced the benefits of telematics for wage calculations first-hand. The company’s drivers were making regular trips to Germany, and the local authorities started requesting proof of locally set minimum wage payments for VILKS employees. The company then demonstrated vehicle travel data registered by Mapon and the individual driver’s working hours on Tachogram, proving they were following German regulations. 

Such documentation is invaluable for audits, tax filings, and road-checks, helping businesses avoid penalties and maintain regulatory compliance.

Key Takeaway: Telematics is invaluable for audits, tax filings, and road checks, helping businesses avoid penalties and maintain local regulatory compliance.

Not all industries rely solely on tachographs for payroll. For sectors like agriculture or construction, where people work on-site, as well as for companies with different wage calculation mechanisms, telematics solutions offer flexible alternatives:

• Distance-based calculations: Use GPS fleet tracking data to follow mileage for employees whose wages depend on the distance travelled.
• Driver identification tools: Monitor start and end times for workers operating machinery on-site.

Finally, telematics also enables performance-based bonuses. Solutions like Mapon driver behaviour monitoring evaluate driving performance and assign ratings for each driver. This empowers businesses to reward efficient drivers who contribute the most to road safety.

Our client Bertschi did just that, and you can read about the outcomes of their driver behaviour monitoring on our blog. If you choose to have a bonus program in your company, this could be it!

Key Takeaway: Telematics supports diverse payroll systems, from mileage tracking to performance bonuses, enhancing transparency across the whole company.

Accurate wage calculations are just one aspect of telematics’s capabilities. Companies can combine telematics data with advanced reporting tools to perform a comprehensive fleet cost analysis, identify areas for savings and improve overall efficiency.

Every single tool and solution we mentioned in this article is available on the Mapon platform. We offer over 50 customisable reports that cover everything from fuel usage to driver productivity. Every Mapon feature makes the monthly wage calculations more accurate and easier! 

Whether you need to calculate driver payroll based on hours, distance, or performance, our tools provide the precision and automation your business requires. 

Contact our team today and we will be happy to help you find the right solutions for your business!

Article updated in 2025