What are Car GPS Trackers and How Do They Work? (2024)

Global positioning system (GPS) trackers are portable devices that allow fleet managers, parents, and vehicle owners to monitor and track their cars and trucks. Real-time GPS trackers for cars can provide instantaneous speed and location data, while less expensive options record this information for later use. With some GPS vehicle trackers, you can set up real-time alerts to go off when a driver speeds or deviates from a specific area.

What are Car GPS Trackers and How Do They Work? (1)

How Does GPS Tracking Work?

GPS tracking uses a network of satellites to determine the location of a device designed for that purpose. The basic idea is that a GPS tracker uses trilateration to determine its physical location based on its distance from three GPS satellites. This is the same technology used by a portable or in-car navigation system.

The difference between a GPS tracker and a car navigation system is that the navigation system provides you with your location and driving directions. In contrast, a tracker either keeps a record of your driving habits or broadcasts its location in real time.

When a GPS tracker for a car can broadcast its location, it typically uses the same technology that your cellphone does to make calls or connect to the internet. Therefore, some GPS car trackers require a monthly subscription fee.

What Are Car Tracking Devices Used For?

The primary purpose of a GPS car tracking device is to let you know where your vehicle is at all times, and there are many scenarios where that can be helpful. For instance, if your car was stolen but you had a tracker installed, you could provide the police with its location.

GPS trackers for cars also fall in the rift between free-range parenting and authoritative parenting. With the right tracker installed in your teen's car, you can pull up their location in real time or view a record of where they've been, when they were there, and whether they broke the speed limit.

Vehicle tracking devices are also useful for owners of large fleets of cars or trucks. Some use the technology to keep tabs on where their vehicles are at any given time to better coordinate daily operations. In contrast, others are more interested in tracking mileage for bookkeeping or reimbursement.

However, there is a dark side to automobile GPS trackers. Some might use them without the vehicle owner's knowledge to track where the vehicle goes and when. If you suspect that's the case, you can locate a GPS tracker that's been hidden in your vehicle.

If you can think of any situation where you might want to know where your car is or has been, you might need a GPS car tracker. The only caveat is that most of these trackers require cell service to provide you with real-time location data.

How Do You Use a GPS Car Tracker?

Using a GPS tracker in your car is usually easy, but the process differs slightly from one device to the next. The major difference is the power source, but there is enough variation that it's still a good idea to check the manual first.

Some GPS trackers are designed to plug into the onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) connector, usually located under the dash near the driver's legs. The benefit here is that these trackers get power directly from the diagnostic connector, which is extremely easy to use. Using this type of tracker is a breeze if you've ever used a code reader or scan tool.

Other car trackers are designed to plug into a cigarette lighter or accessory socket, limiting where you can install them. These trackers are easy to install and use, but some draw power from the battery when you aren't driving. In that case, you need to unplug the tracker to prevent the car battery from going dead.

The most discreet car GPS trackers are powered by a battery, which means they can be installed virtually anywhere. Since there is no external power source, this type of tracker has to be removed and charged periodically, or it will stop working.

Once you have a GPS tracker installed in your vehicle, you can use software on your computer, phone, or tablet to view its location in real time.

Are GPS Trackers for Cars Legal?

While all the usages outlined above are legal in most jurisdictions, there are some circumstances where using a car tracking device could cause you trouble. When in doubt, contact a lawyer for legal advice on the matter.

The general rule of thumb is that if it's your car, you can track it. This is true for both privately owned vehicles and vehicles that a company owns. So if you want to keep track of your minor child or keep tabs on your employees during work hours, you're generally in the clear.

If you don’t own the car, it's usually illegal to install a tracker. There are exceptions for police, provided that they obtain a warrant first, and private investigators working under the instructions of the owner of a vehicle. It's illegal in most other circumstances, and some jurisdictions have cyberstalking laws that specifically address GPS car trackers.

While you can use GPS trackers for cars to spy on people, legal uses fall short of that mark. If you have any concerns, seek a professional's legal advice.Even in tracking a teen driver or an employee, the main goals are safety, accountability, and efficiency, rather than spying.

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What are Car GPS Trackers and How Do They Work? (2024)

FAQs

What are Car GPS Trackers and How Do They Work? ›

GPS trackers for vehicles use satellite navigation data to provide real-time information about your car's location, speed, direction, and distance.

What are car trackers and how do they work? ›

The vehicle's location is provided by telematics hardware installed in the vehicle communicating with a GPS Satellite network. The installed telematics device collects and transmits the important vehicle and driver data in real time. Using cellular networks data is sent on to regional servers.

What does a GPS tracker on a car look like? ›

GPS trackers often resemble small boxes with antennas or magnetic casings.

Do all GPS trackers require a monthly fee? ›

A GPS tracker is one of the advanced tools that helps track cars, assets, pets, and people. Unfortunately, most GPS trackers require monthly subscription fees. It can be too costly for some people to pay the fees. It's prudent for them to buy the best GPS trackers with no monthly fee.

Can you find out who put a tracker on your car? ›

However, there are a few methods that can be used to check for trackers, including using a signal detector or checking for unusual devices or wires in your car. If you find a suspicious device, you can try to track down who installed it by putting your car up for sale or contacting the company that installed it.

Can a cell phone detect a GPS tracker? ›

An unknown tracker alert is sent when someone else's tracker device is separated from them and if your Android phone detects the tracker is traveling with you and out of Bluetooth range from the owner. The notification alerts you to the tracker and tells you how to find it and what to do next.

How to tell if someone is tracking you? ›

Here are a few ways to tell if someone tapped your phone:
  1. Unusual sounds during calls. ...
  2. Decreased battery performance. ...
  3. Unusual phone activity when not in use. ...
  4. Trouble shutting down. ...
  5. Websites look different. ...
  6. You battery is unusually hot. ...
  7. You receive unusual texts. ...
  8. Cameras and microphones turn on randomly.

How do I stop someone from tracking my car? ›

Another way to disable a GPS tracker is to wrap the device in tinfoil. This blocks out any cellular or satellite signal from reaching the device. Any electrically-conductive metal will interfere with incoming and outgoing GPS signals. This is a cheap and easy method to prevent yourself from being tracked.

Where is the best place to put a tracker on a car? ›

Under the dashboard: This location is unobtrusive enough to remain out of sight and also typically stays out of the way of metal auto components that can interfere with GPS signals. Inside the Bumper: Putting the tracker within the bumper gives it a concealed position, which is great for preventing theft.

How to find out if you have a tracking device in your body? ›

The best way to check for an implant would be to have an X-ray performed. RFID transponders have metal antennas that would show up in an X-ray. You could also look for a scar on the skin. Because the needle used to inject the transponder under the skin would be quite large, it would leave a small but noticeable scar.

How to remove GPS tracker from car? ›

Procedure
  1. Step 1: Locate and access the vehicle tracker. ...
  2. Step 2: Unplug all connections to the device. ...
  3. Step 3: Secure the power harness. ...
  4. Step 4: Remove the Y-cable or ECMD cable (if present) ...
  5. Step 5: Remove the external antenna (if required) ...
  6. Step 6: Replace removed items. ...
  7. Step 7: Record and update the vehicle information.

Are car trackers worth it? ›

Having a tracking device installed in your car is one of the most reliable and efficient ways of protecting it from crime. Although they can be quite expensive, these devices will lower your insurance premiums and could save you a huge amount of hassle, in the long run, if your vehicle is stolen.

Is there a car tracker that doesn't require a subscription? ›

Vyncs - GPS Tracker for Vehicles, [No Monthly Fee], 4G LTE, Vehicle Location, Trip History, Driving Alerts, GeoFence, Fuel Economy, OBD Fault Codes, USA-Developed, Family or Fleets.

Do car trackers need a subscription? ›

First off, it should be pointed out that most GPS car trackers come with a subscription. It's the usual model for this kind of protection as is explained below. That doesn't mean though that it is essential to have one, as some brands offer a GPS tracker without a subscription.

Do car trackers work when the car is off? ›

This is dependent on the type of tracker you use. Most, if not all trackers operate by using the car's battery/electrical system to power it. So for some models of car trackers, they will not track the location of the vehicle if it is off.

Do car trackers give exact location? ›

GPS trackers communicate with networks of satellites that transmit radio signals. These signals help pinpoint the exact location of the device. With a tracker installed in your car and an app on your phone, you can see the vehicle's location in real-time.

Can the police put a tracker on your car without you knowing? ›

Police officers regularly use GPS trackers to follow potential suspects and can install a GPS tracker on your vehicle without your knowledge. But what if it is installed on your vehicle without the police first obtaining a warrant? You should immediately contact a lawyer at The Juba Law Office for help.

Is it good to have a tracker on your car? ›

Having a tracking device installed in your car is one of the most reliable and efficient ways of protecting it from crime. Although they can be quite expensive, these devices will lower your insurance premiums and could save you a huge amount of hassle, in the long run, if your vehicle is stolen.

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