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Practical Uses of GPS Trackers
The Real Benefits of Utilizing GPS Trackers: Why They’re More Than Just a Dot on a Map
In an age where information is power and time is money, GPS trackers have evolved from novelty gadgets into critical tools for businesses, private investigators, parents, and even everyday individuals. While they may stir up debates around privacy, there’s no denying the practical advantages they offer when used responsibly. Here’s a no-BS look at why GPS tracking technology is worth your attention.
1. Asset Protection and Recovery
One of the most straightforward uses of GPS trackers is safeguarding valuable assets. Whether you’re managing a fleet of vehicles or own expensive equipment, trackers help monitor movements and alert you to unauthorized use or theft. If a vehicle or item goes missing, GPS data can lead authorities directly to its location—cutting down response time and increasing the odds of recovery.
Bottom line: GPS trackers give you eyes on your assets 24/7.
2. Improved Fleet and Workforce Management
For companies in logistics, construction, or service industries, GPS tracking streamlines operations. Managers can monitor routes, fuel usage, and driver behavior. This real-time oversight allows for optimizing routes, cutting unnecessary costs, and improving delivery times. It also holds drivers accountable, reducing incidents of unauthorized side trips or unsafe driving.
Translation: You save money, improve productivity, and reduce liability.
3. Enhanced Personal Safety
For parents, GPS trackers offer peace of mind when it comes to keeping tabs on their children—especially teenagers who are just starting to drive. For elderly family members dealing with memory-related issues like Alzheimer’s, GPS trackers can be a literal lifesaver. They’re also useful for hikers, solo travelers, or workers in remote or hazardous environments.
In plain terms: GPS tracking can be the difference between safety and disaster.
4. Investigative and Surveillance Applications
In the world of private investigations, GPS tracking is a game-changer. Whether tailing a cheating spouse, tracing a missing person, or tracking a subject under surveillance, GPS devices reduce manpower needs and boost accuracy. They provide indisputable records of locations, timelines, and travel patterns that can back up your findings.
Reality check: If you’re doing investigative work without GPS, you’re working twice as hard for half the results.
5. Insurance and Liability Reduction
Some insurers offer discounts for vehicles equipped with GPS trackers, as the risk of theft is reduced. For businesses, the data from trackers can be used to defend against false claims, like disputed delivery times or fabricated accident reports.
No fluff: It can save your hide in court and save you money with your insurer.
6. Data and Analytics
Modern GPS systems do more than just track—they collect data. This data can be analyzed to identify trends, improve decision-making, and even predict future patterns. For businesses, it means smarter strategies. For individuals, it means understanding your habits and making adjustments for efficiency.
Smart move: Use the data to make decisions, not guesses.
Final Thoughts
GPS trackers aren’t just about surveillance—they’re about efficiency, safety, accountability, and control. Like any tool, they can be misused, but when implemented correctly, they provide undeniable value across personal, commercial, and investigative applications.
Whether you’re protecting assets, managing a fleet, ensuring loved ones’ safety, or gathering intelligence for a case—GPS trackers get the job done.
No sugarcoating it: If you’re not using them, you’re probably working harder than you need to.
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GPS Tracker Legality – Know Your Local Laws
This article on ExpertMarket.com breaks down the accept uses of GPS Trackers by state. Depending on your usage, it’s important to do your research and make sure you aren’t landing yourself in legal trouble!
GPS tracking laws by state can vary. Most states have a law around GPS tracking while others surprisingly don’t.
On a federal level, which means country wide, fleet companies are legally entitled to track their own vehicles. As GPS tracking is a relatively recent technological development, the legal precedent on federal level comes from the case of Elgin vs The St. Louis Coca Cola Bottling Company. This case allows for companies to track their own vehicles.
Another federal law associated with vehicle tracking is the ELD Mandate, which requires commercial truck drivers to log their hours on an ELD which stands for Electronic Log Device. In some cases though, fleets can obtain an ELD exemption.
Fleet owners and operators need to be keenly aware of GPS tracking laws by state so they are compliant at all times. Failure to do so can result in unnecessary fines and legal action that hurt your businesses profit and overall reputation. In this article we are going to go state by state and show exactly what GPS tracking laws, if any, exist.
GPS Tracking Laws by Each State
At a federal level GPS tracking of your own vehicle is legal. The being said, various states have various vehicle tracking laws you should be aware of. We’ve researched every US state to find out the most up to date information on their GPS tracking laws so you can keep your fleet compliant. We found that most states don’t have GPS tracking specific laws. Instead, anything GPS related falls under surveillance related statues.
Alabama
Under its surveillance laws, specifically Alabama code 13A-11-32, it’s illegal to engage in surveillance when trespassing in private places.
Alaska
Alaska’s anti-stalking laws make it illegal to install a device to monitor a person in their home, vehicle or workplace without consent. This means it’s second degree stalking and is covered under Alaska code 13-2923
Arizona
Arizona code 13-2923 makes it illegal to use a GPS device to continuously surveil a person for over 12 hours, or on two or more occasions without authorization.
Arkansas
Arkansas code 22-8-105 says that state owned vehicles may be equipped with tracking devices and monitored.
California
California has stricter GPS tracking laws then most other states. California Penal Code section 637.7 makes it illegal to monitor somebody’s movement without their consent. If you own the vehicle, lease it or are in law enforcement, this law doesn’t apply
Colorado
Colorado enforces Vonnie’s Law, which prevents tracking a person using GPS in way that would cause them emotional distress. Its official name is Colorado C.R.S. 18-3-602. It’s named after Vonnie Flores, who was murdered by an obsessive stalker in 2010.
Connecticut
Connecticut’s GPS tracking legislation falls under its Public Act 21-56, which covers online harassment. This means it’s illegal to use GPS tracking to cause someone to fear for their safety.
Delaware
Under Delaware’s criminal code title 11 chapter 5, it’s illegal to install a vehicle tracker without the owners consent. Law enforcement officials are exempt, as are legal guardians monitoring a child.
Florida
Florida’s GPS tracking legislation falls under Florida Title 934.425, which makes it illegal to track someone without their consent. There are a few exceptions, such as law enforcement, tracking a minor or elderly relative you are responsible for, or placing a GPS device on your own property.
Georgia
No GPS tracking legislation at present.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, H.R.S 803-41 and H.R.S. 803-42, both prevent tracking a person without their consent, with the exception of search warrants.
Idaho
Idaho Code 18-6702 makes it illegal to track, intercept and disclose wire, electronic or oral communications. The law doesn’t specifically mention GPS tracking, however.
Illinois
Illinois statute 720 ILCS 65/12-7.3 says GPS tracking is prohibited in most circumstances, unless it’s your own property.
Indiana
Indiana didn’t have specific vehicle tracking legislation up until 2023 when Senate Bill 83 was passed. Now, under Indiana Code 35-46-8.5-1, it’s illegal to track someone with a GPS device without their consent.
Iowa
Iowa Code 708.11A makes it illegal to put a GPS tracker on another person or object without a legitimate purpose or consent.
Kansas
On April 25, 2023, Senate Bill 217 was approved by the Governor. This bill prevents using an electronic tracking device to harass and stalk a person. The bill hasn’t been signed into law at the time of writing.
Kentucky
Kentucky Statute 508.152 prevents unlawful tracking of a vehicle without the owner’s permission. Exceptions are law enforcement or legal guardians tracking a minor.
Louisiana
Louisiana law R.S. 14:323 prohibits using a tracker to determine a person’s location or movement without consent.
Maine
Maine criminal code 17-A M.R.S., 210-A prevents activities related to stalking. This includes acts or devices that directly or indirectly follow, monitor, track, observe, surveil, threaten or harass another person.
Maryland
In Maryland, code 3-802 makes it illegal to track a person’s location without their consent – under the legislation, this is criminal stalking.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts law ALM GL. 265-43A makes it illegal to use trackers to stalk and cause distress. Interestingly in 2019, the Massachusetts Supreme Court issued an opinion that said law enforcement cannot use GPS trackers without a warrant.
Michigan
In Michigan, statute MCLS 750.5392 prevents a person placing trackers on a vehicle without owner or lessee knowledge and consent. The punishment is one year’s imprisonment, a $1,000 fine or both.
Minnesota
Minnesota statute 626A.35 prohibits tracking the movement of another person without a court order. The punishment is a $3,000 fine or 364 days in prison.
Mississippi
GPS tracking legislation falls under stalking law 97-3-107 in Mississippi. It’s illegal to track someone with a electronic tracking device with the intention of stalking them. The punishment is a $1,000 fine or a year in prison.
Missouri
It is an offense to install an electronic tracking device on a vehicle without an owners consent. This is covered by Missouri law 455.095. The exception is if the person is legally indigent – meaning they can’t look after themselves. An example would be a child or elderly person.
Montana
Under its house bill 603, Montana is one of the few states that requires law enforcement to obtain a probable cause warrant before tracking a persons location.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, the only reference to GPS tracking in its laws is 86-2,103, which states that district courts may issue a warrant to install a tracking device.
Nevada
In May 2023, AB356 passed in the Nevada Senate, making it illegal to electronically track a person without their consent. Previous to this, it was legal to place an electronic tracker on a vehicle without consent.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s statute 644-A:4 prevents a person placing an electronic tracker without their consent. This statute came into law in 2015.
New Jersey
In 2022, New Jersey signed into law statute 4:6B-22, which prevents employers from electronically tracking employees without permission. The law applies to both company-owned and employee vehicles. The punishment for violating this statute is a fine of $1,000 for the first violation and $2,500 for the second violation.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, GPS tracking falls under its anti-stalking law, 30-3A-3, which prevents the use of any device to follow, monitor or surveil a specific individual as part of a pattern of conduct that threatens death, bodily harm, sexual assault, confinement or restraint.
North Carolina
Under 14-196.3, it is illegal to track a person’s location without their consent.
North Dakota
North Dakota has a stalking law, code 12.1-17-07.1, that prevents a person from using a GPS or other tracking device that would cause someone to feel intimidated or harassed with no legitimate purpose.
Ohio
Ohio section 2903.211, the state’s menacing by stalking law, addresses conduct that leads someone to fear they’ll be harmed, including by electronic means. However, its not explicitly clear if this includes GPS tracking devices.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, its statutes Title 21-1173, which covered stalking and harassment, was amended in 2018. This amendment made it illegal to track a person with GPS without their consent.
Oregon
Oregon statute 163.715 states that it is illegal to affix a GPS device to a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Title 18 Subchapter D , makes it illegal to place a mobile tracking device on a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Rhode Island
Rhode Islands Gen. Laws. 11-69-1, makes it illegal to to knowingly install, conceal, or otherwise place or use an electronic tracking device in or on a motor vehicle without the consent of the operator and all occupants of the vehicle for the purpose of monitoring or following the operator, occupant, or occupants of the vehicle.
South Carolina
Under South Carolina Bill 3213, it’s unlawful for individuals or law enforcement to use a GPS tracking device without consent.
South Dakota
South Dakota Codified Laws 23A-35-4.3 states that you need a warrant issued by a magistrate to use a GPS tracking device. In the legislation this refers to law enforcement.
Tennessee
Tennessee Code Ann. 39-13-606 makes it illegal for a person to attach an electronic tracking device to a vehicle without all of the owners’ consent. It is also illegal for a lessee to attach a GPS tracking device to a rented vehicle.
Texas
In Texas, Penal Code 16.06 makes it unlawful for any individual to place an electronic tracking device in a vehicle. The exception is if there’s consent from the owner or lessee, or as part of a criminal investigation.
Utah
Utah Code 76-9-408 makes it illegal to install a tracker on a vehicle owned or leased by another person without permission. Law enforcement with a court order, licensed private investigators and legal guardians of a child or elder are allowed to use electronic tracking without consent.
Vermont
Vermont’s anti-stalking law prohibits monitoring or tracking an individual while the state’s Electronic Communication Privacy Act 8101 means any data collected by GPS requires a warrant to be accessed by law enforcement.
Virginia
Per Virginia Code 18.2-60.5, it’s unlawful to use a tracker through deceptive means to track people without consent.
Washington
In Washington state, RCW 9A.90.130 prohibits using an electronic location tracker if doing so would cause reasonable fear.
West Virginia
West Virginia Code 61-3-50 states that it is illegal to use GPS devices to discover another person’s whereabouts without consent. The first offense counts as a misdemeanor, while the second offense is an automatic felony.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Statute 940.315 makes it a misdemeanor to place GPS trackers on vehicles owned or leased by another person. It’s also illegal to intentionally obtain information on a person’s movement or location generated by a GPS placed without consent.
Wyoming
As part of Wyoming Stat. 6-2-506, it’s illegal to use electronic, digital or GPS devices to surveil someone without authorization.
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