Drivalink EWD Shutdown: What Truck Drivers Need to Know
Drivalink Is Gone
In April 2026, Drivalink, one of the more widely used Electronic Work Diary apps in Australia, was shut down. Drivers who relied on it for their fatigue compliance records found themselves without a functioning EWD overnight.
If you were one of them, this post explains what your obligations are, what the NHVR requires from a compliant EWD, and what to look for when choosing a replacement.
What Is an Electronic Work Diary?
Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), drivers of heavy vehicles subject to standard hours or Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) requirements must keep a work diary. Traditionally this was a paper-based record. An Electronic Work Diary is a software alternative that is approved by the NHVR to replace the paper diary.
The key word is approved. Not every app that lets you log hours qualifies. To be used as a legal substitute for the paper work diary, an EWD must be on the NHVR's approved list.
If you are using any other software, or nothing at all, you are not compliant, regardless of how good your records look.
What the NHVR Requires from a Compliant EWD
The NHVR publishes an approved EWD list on its website. Any app on that list has been assessed against the technical and functional standards set out in the Heavy Vehicle (Electronic Work Diary) Determination.
At a practical level, a compliant EWD must:
- Record the driver's work and rest times accurately and in real time
- Prevent backdating or editing of records after the fact (or log any such changes with timestamps)
- Generate records that can be produced for inspection at a checking station
- Store records for the legally required period
- Operate independently of an internet connection, because rural drivers cannot rely on connectivity
That last point matters more than it might sound. If your EWD only works when you have mobile data, it will fail you on the stretches of road where you need it most.
What to Do Right Now
If you were using Drivalink and have not switched to another approved EWD, your first step is to revert to paper. A paper work diary is still a legal option under the HVNL. It is not ideal, but it keeps you compliant while you sort out a replacement.
Do not continue without any form of diary. At a checking station, you will be asked to produce your work diary. If you cannot, you are looking at a breach, regardless of how accurate your actual work and rest pattern was.
Your second step is to check the NHVR's current approved EWD list. The list is maintained at nhvr.gov.au. The approved products on that list are the only ones that legally substitute for a paper diary. The list does change over time as products are added, updated, or removed, which is exactly what happened with Drivalink.
What to Look for in a Replacement
Beyond the basic requirement of being NHVR-approved, there are practical things worth checking before you commit to a new EWD:
Offline operation. As mentioned, this is non-negotiable for long-haul drivers. Check that the app stores records locally and does not depend on a live connection to function.
Ease of inspection. At a checking station, you may be asked to show your records to an inspector. The app should make it easy to display the required information quickly, without fumbling through menus.
Data portability. If an EWD provider shuts down, as just happened with Drivalink, you want your records exported and stored somewhere you control. Check what the provider offers for backups and exports.
Support. The Drivalink situation is a reminder that EWD providers can disappear. Look at the track record and backing of any replacement. A product with an active support channel and responsive developer is not just a convenience feature, it is part of your compliance infrastructure.
Multi-driver and fleet use. If you are a fleet manager, check whether the EWD supports multiple drivers under one account and whether you can view fleet-wide compliance records from a central dashboard.
What About Truck Me?
Truck Me is primarily a heavy vehicle routing app, built on NHVR network data to give drivers routes that are actually approved for their vehicle type. The app includes a driver logbook feature as part of its fatigue management tools, covering trip logging, rest reminders, and trip history.
EWD functionality that replaces the legal paper work diary requires formal NHVR approval, and Truck Me's logbook is not intended as a legal EWD substitute at this stage. For full EWD compliance, you need a product on the NHVR's approved list.
That said, if you're already shopping for a new EWD, it's worth thinking about how your routing and fatigue tools work together. Planning rest stops as part of route planning, rather than treating them as an afterthought, is one of the more practical things technology can do for long-haul drivers.
The Practical Summary
- Drivalink shut down in April 2026
- If you used it, switch to a paper diary immediately as a stopgap
- Check the NHVR approved EWD list at nhvr.gov.au for compliant replacements
- Prioritise offline operation, data portability, and responsive support when choosing
- Do not drive without a work diary if you are subject to fatigue law requirements
The NHVR approved EWD list is the authoritative source. Use it.