Real-Time Location

Real-time location is the current position of a vehicle, displayed on a map with only a short delay between the moment it is measured and the moment it appears on screen. It answers one operational question, "where is this vehicle right now?", and supports decisions that cannot wait, such as who to send to an urgent job.

Location now versus location history

Real-time location is a snapshot of the present. It is different from the trip history that GPS tracking builds up over time, which shows where a vehicle has been, and from real-time tracking, which follows a vehicle's movement and status continuously as it drives. The position itself is calculated by the vehicle GPS receiver, either a tracker or the module built into a connected car.

How a live position reaches the map

• Measurement: the receiver calculates latitude and longitude from satellite signals.
• Transmission: the position is sent over the mobile network with a timestamp and, often, the ignition status.
• Display: the platform places the vehicle on the map and labels it as moving, stopped or parked.

How "live" the position is depends on the reporting interval, network coverage and the data source. A connected vehicle's update rhythm is set by its manufacturer; a tracker follows its own settings. In tunnels or underground car parks, the last known position is shown until the signal returns.

What fleets use it for

• Dispatch: assigning an urgent call-out to the nearest available technician or driver rather than the one whose schedule happens to be free.
• Customer information: giving a client a realistic arrival time and confirming that a delivery or visit is on its way.
• Incidents: locating a vehicle after a breakdown, an accident or a suspected theft.
• Shared vehicles: finding where a pool car was left before the next booking.

Employee location data

The position of a company vehicle is also information about the person driving it. Drivers must be informed before location is collected, the purpose must be legitimate, and the GDPR applies to how the data is used and kept. Our guide to telematics and GDPR sets out the steps.

How Dadycar helps

Dadycar is a French fleet management software whose telematics shows each vehicle's position on a live map, without a box on compatible connected vehicles and with an optional tracker for the others. Location sits next to the vehicle record, trips and mileage, so a dispatcher sees who is close and available in the same screen. Geofencing flags arrivals and departures at sites, and the AI agent Donna answers questions such as which vehicles are on site. Data is hosted in France, with OVHcloud.

FAQ

How up to date is a real-time location?
It depends on the reporting interval, the mobile network and the data source. Ask your provider how often positions are refreshed while driving and while parked.

Can I share a vehicle's live location with a customer?
It is possible, but share only what the customer needs, such as an arrival time, and keep drivers informed of what is shared.

Does real-time location work for parked vehicles?
Yes, the map shows the last position recorded when the engine was switched off, which is usually where the vehicle stands.