How To Secretly Track a Vehicle
5 Easy Ways To Secretly Track a Vehicle (Free & Paid)
So, you want to track a vehicle without the person knowing?
We won’t ask what you’re up to, but we assume that someone is C-H-E-A-T-I-N-G, and you want to get to the bottom of it.
We’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll cover 5 easy ways to secretly track a vehicle, along with some legal information you 100% MUST KNOW before you do this. You don’t want to end up getting a big fine or jail time.
1. Use Free GPS Tracking Apps for Your iPhone or Android
This is the budget way to track a vehicle without anyone knowing. It’s free so long as you have a spare device.
It’s not the most reliable or efficient way to do things, but hey, you’re on a budget, so you can’t be too choosy.
Just download a free app like Find my Device or Alfred on both your spare device and the phone you use every day.
Once you sync them together, throw the spare phone into the trunk of the car or hide it under the seats. Make sure to turn off the sound so they won’t know it’s there.
That’s it. Now you’ll be able to see the phone’s location at all times, which will show you where the car is.
Warning: These apps are free for a reason: They’re unreliable and don’t have a wide radius. They also don’t have alerts, notifications, or other advanced features. If you need to track a vehicle for a serious reason like work, child safety, or suspicions of infidelity, we suggest a paid tracker. Option 2 is best for you.
2. Invest in a Discreet GPS Tracking Device
Portable car GPS trackers from companies like SpaceHawk or Tracki were designed specifically for the purpose of tracking vehicles without the owner knowing.
They’re tiny, almost invisible tracking devices that you plant under the car (or inside). These GPS devices send you the real-time location of the vehicle anywhere in North America with pinpoint accuracy.
They also come with helpful notifications that let you catch the person in the act (mostly cheating, but it could be other things). You get features like:
Considering all the features you get, they’re extremely affordable. Check out the SpaceHawk GPS tracker here. It’s one of the most popular models on the market.
Here’s How to Install the Device
3. Hire a Private Investigator
Now we’re going old school.
A private investigator will tail the vehicle for you and take note of everywhere they’ve been.
Most private investigators cost around $100 an hour, though, so it’s not cheap.
However, they’re great if you need complete details on where the car has been throughout the day, who they’ve met with, and what they’ve said.
4. The Car’s Built-in GPS System
If your car has a built-in GPS system, you can use it to track the vehicle without the driver knowing. Most cars manufactured after the year 2000 have them, especially more modern ones.
Just sync the car’s GPS to your phone by connecting it through the manufacturer’s app or a compatible navigation app. You might have to check the user manual for this, though. You could also just Google it. Google “model car + built-in GPS”.
Once you’ve got the car synced to the app, you’ll get real-time updates on the car’s location, right from your phone. Just make sure to follow the instructions in your car's manual to set it up properly.
5. Use Commercial Fleet Tracking Products or Services
Commercial fleet tracking products or services are great for tracking employees in their vehicles without them knowing.
Just make sure it’s legal in your jurisdiction. In some locations, if you own the vehicle, you’re allowed to track it without consent. In others, you can’t. Make sure to speak to a lawyer to get proper advice.
Fleet tracking equipment like a SpaceHawk GPS tracker, a dash cam with built in GPS, or commercial equipment like a black box can be hardwired directly into the vehicle for constant GPS location tracking and even video (if you buy the cameras).
These types of equipment are great for employee surveillance, route planning, and processes optimization. If you’re trying to track a company van, truck, or car without the operator knowing, they’re your best bet.
Is it Legal to Track a Car Without The Person Knowing?
The answer is yes it’s legal to track a car without the person knowing, but it’s also illegal. Fun, right!
It depends on the jurisdiction and circumstances. For example, if you own the vehicle or you and your spouse jointly own the vehicle, there’s a good chance you can track it without the driver’s consent.
However, if you don’t own the vehicle, it’s almost certainly illegal to place a tracking device on it without consent. This could be a violation of stalking or harassment laws. Breaking this law could land you in deep trouble.
Always consult with an attorney in your local area before making this decision.
As for commercial vehicles, if you own a company vehicle, you can track it. However, the laws for employee consent vary depending on jurisdiction as well. Please check out this article on GPS laws by state for more information.
How to Track a Car by my License Plate Number?
Has your car been stolen? If so, you need to spring into action immediately.
You personally aren’t allowed to track a vehicle based on the license plate number, but the police can.
If your car has been stolen, contact the police immediately. They will begin a criminal investigation, and can use the license plate number to track the vehicle using CCTV, parking violations, police records, or general surveillance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best GPS Devices For Secretly Tracking Someone's Car?
The top-rated live hidden GPS tracking device (according to GPS Tracking Review) is a spy device called SpaceHawk GPS. Features of the vehicle tracker include:
- GPS vehicle tracker is waterproof so it can work in rain/sleet/snow.
- SpaceHawk offers a magnetic mount for easy outside placement on a car so users do not need to break any laws by entering a vehicle.
- The micro GPS device provides real-time updates that allow a person to secretly track any vehicle from their mobile phone.
When most people scan their car for a tracking system they typically look inside the vehicle. That is what makes SpaceHawk such a great tool for people who want to secretly track a car. This is because all you need to do is place the SpaceHawk under a car and then track a car using a mobile app. No tech experience required. In fact, SpaceHawk is one of the cheapest ways to track a car, costing approximately $89.00 and $19.95 a month for the GPS data plan.
Can I Track My Car Secretly For Free?
You can use a free GPS tracking app, but you’ll need a spare device if you want to track a car secretly for free. And the location will be spotty at best. You’re better off getting a real car tracking device like the SpaceHawk GPS tracker. The good news is that most car tracking device products come with a SIM card, and GPS data plans are month-to-month. That means you can use the car tracker for a couple of weeks to catch a cheating spouse and then cancel service once you find out the truth.
Can You Hide A Tracker On A Car?
Yes! In fact, tracking your car is a great way to protect loved ones or monitor employees. You can hide a tracker on a car by first purchasing a personal GPS with a magnet mount and then attaching the GPS vehicle tracker on the automobile you want to secretly track. A quality GPS tracker for vehicles will be waterproof and engineered with a magnet so you don't need to buy any additional accessories.
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