Vehicle GPS

A vehicle GPS is the onboard equipment that calculates a vehicle's position from satellite signals and sends it, with other data, to a fleet platform over the mobile network. In a company fleet it takes the form of an aftermarket tracker or of the telematics module already built into a connected car by its manufacturer.

What is inside a vehicle GPS

• A positioning receiver that reads one or several GNSS constellations to work out latitude, longitude, speed and heading.
• A mobile modem and SIM that transmit positions and events to a server.
• Memory that stores data when there is no network and sends it once coverage returns.
• Inputs for ignition status and, depending on the model, vehicle data read from the diagnostic port, an accelerometer, or extra sensors.

The main types of equipment

• Plug-in OBD tracker: connects to the diagnostic port in minutes, with no wiring work. Easy to move between vehicles, but also easy to unplug.
• Wired tracker: connected to the vehicle's power supply behind the dashboard by an installer. Discreet and harder to remove, suited to vans, trucks and machinery.
• Battery tracker: self-powered, used for trailers, containers and equipment without a power source. It reports less often to save energy.
• Built-in module: recent connected vehicles already carry one. Data comes from the manufacturer, with no hardware to add, provided the vehicle is compatible and data sharing is authorised.

A telematics device goes further than position alone, reading mileage, fuel or battery level and fault codes. For how the positions are then used, see GPS tracking and real-time location.

How to choose for a fleet

• Vehicle mix: check which vehicles are connected and compatible before buying hardware for all of them.
• Data needed: position only, or also mileage, fuel, battery charge and driving events.
• Installation: plug-in for speed and leased cars, wired for security and heavy vehicles.
• Platform: the equipment is only useful if its data feeds the tool where vehicles, costs and drivers are managed.
• Privacy: drivers must be informed and the setup must respect the GDPR, including private use of the vehicle.

How Dadycar helps

Dadycar is a French fleet management software with built-in telematics. On compatible connected vehicles it works without a box, using the manufacturer's data; for other vehicles a tracker is available as an option, so mixed fleets are managed in one place. Positions feed real-time tracking, trips and mileage and geofencing, next to each vehicle's records. The Fleet + Telematics plan costs €16 excl. VAT per vehicle per month, and data is hosted in France, with OVHcloud.

FAQ

Do I need a GPS tracker if my cars are connected?
Not always. If the vehicle is compatible and its data can be shared, the built-in module can replace an added tracker.

Can a driver unplug a vehicle GPS?
A plug-in tracker can be removed; a wired one is harder to reach. Most platforms flag a device that stops reporting.

Is a vehicle GPS legal in a company car?
Yes, for legitimate purposes, provided drivers are informed and data-protection rules such as the GDPR are respected.