Method and apparatus for authenticating a driver for driver compliance. A base unit including an electronic processor configured to receive an identification of a portable communication device associated with a driver, determine if the portable communication device is within a configurable distance from the base unit, compare the identification of the portable communication device with a stored identification, and authenticate the driver in response to the portable communication device associated with the driver being within a configurable distance from the base unit and based on identification of the portable communication device associated with the driver being a match with the stored identification.