Business driver using an in-car GPS navigation system with a touchscreen display showing a map and route directions.

Good Question - What are the “must have” features on a GPS Navigation System for Business Drivers?

Good Question
June 09, 2025•2 min read

Why This Is Important:

  • The average, non-CDL business driver will travel around 5,000-annual road miles, with outside sales and ride-share drivers sometimes putting in more than 20,000-miles annually.

  • Of the more than 10-million business drivers in the U.S., it is estimated that 93% use GPS navigation devices with 1 out of 5 saying they use the technology on a daily basis.

  • American business drivers have become so dependent on GPS devices that 83% admit they would be lost without access to them.

  • Automotive GPS guidance systems can generally be classified into one of three types of systems to include; Inbuilt, portable and smartphone apps.

  • The most common inbuilt GPS navigation system is Apple CarPlay equipped with Apple Maps.

 

10-Essential Features for a GPS Navigator Used For Business Travel:

  1. Capable of being mounted at or above dashboard level so the driver doesn’t have to take their eyes off the road by looking down.

  2. Intuitive operations, meaning the device should have a short and easy learning curve.

  3. Ability to input voice commands and hands free programming.

  4. Turn-by-turn directions with supplemental audible notifications.

  5. Lane guidance that shows the driver the proper lane they should be in for intersections and exits.

  6. Both day and nighttime screens for easy viewing in bright sunlight or low light conditions.

  7. Ability to select route options such as shortest, avoiding tolls, construction zones, traffic jams, accidents and the most fuel efficient.

  8. Automatic, audible speeding alerts.

  9. Smartphone and car sound system interconnect-ability with portable GPS units.

  10. Ability of the unit to receive and install regular, accurate and comprehensive updates.

 

Conclusions:

  • While GPS navigation systems have been around for more than 30-years, the more modern ones are far more capable than older units.

  • Hands free operation and audible alerts are critical for for safe driver operations.

  • Future navigation systems will probably make greater use of Artificial Intelligence for enhanced driver safety, ease of operation and better navigation efficiency taking into consideration driver performance and driving preferences.

 

For additional information or answers to your questions regarding this topic, contact Centurion’s Loss Control Manager, Rob Brooks, at:

☎️ (606)434-0739

📩 [email protected]

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